Sustainability

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• 50 years ago, Ames became the first city in the nation to operate a municipal waste-to-energy facility. The Arnold Chantland Resource Recovery Plant takes in garbage from throughout Story County, pulls out metals for recycling, and processes the burnable trash into refuse derived fuel (RDF). RDF is sent to the Ames Power Plant to provide a supplemental fuel for producing electricity.

• In 2007, the Ames mayor joined mayors from across the country in signing the U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement. Part of signing the agreement involves conducting a baseline inventory of energy usage, collecting data about energy management, recycling, waste reduction, transportation, and land use. While Ames is working hard on going green, we are encouraging our residents to do the same.

• In 2016, the Ames Power Plant converted from coal to cleaner burning natural gas reducing its carbon footprint by 40 percent.

• The community's first greenhouse gas inventory was completed in 2020. This data provided a foundation from which to build a climate action plan and community goals for reduction.

• From 2021 to 2023, the community, City staff, a consultant worked to develop a comprehensive Climate Action Plan. This involved dozens of public feedback opportunities and a Supplemental Input Committee comprised of 27 community members.

• In June 2023, City Council accepted the Climate Action Plan, setting ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals of 70% by 2030 and 94% by 2050.

• In July 2024, the City of Ames hired it's first full time Sustainability Coordinator, Nolan Sagan. The Sustainability Coordinator serves as a resource for the community and City departments on implementation of the Climate Action Plan. The City previously partnered with Iowa State University to share a Director of Sustainability/Sustainability Coordinator position for more than 10 years.

Multimodal Transportation in Ames

In Ames, we’re reimagining how people move through our community. More and more residents are discovering the environmental, health, and transportation benefits of walking, biking, rolling, and choosing alternatives to driving. Whether it’s for commuting, exercise, or recreation, getting out of your vehicle and using active transportation offers a cleaner, healthier way to travel.

Ames boasts more than 50 miles of shared-use paths, bike-friendly streets, and on-street bike lanes, making it easier than ever to get around without a car. Our city is committed to building a transportation network that supports all users regardless of how they choose to travel while keeping everyone safe and connected.

Sharing the Road

A successful multimodal system depends on mutual respect and awareness. Under Iowa law, bicyclists and motorists are both required to follow the same rules of the road and are entitled to the same rights. This means stopping at signals, yielding where appropriate, and staying alert to others around you. Sharing the road isn’t just a suggestion, it’s a shared responsibility.

Sharing the Path

It's not just on streets where mutual respect and awareness are important. Ames has miles of shared-use paths and those attract a variety of users. From kids learning to bike for the first time to dog walkers and people with strollers, our local paths can get busy. As more and more residents embrace e-bikes and other transportation devices with small, electric motors, it's crucial that we all look out for each other. This means traveling at speeds that are safe for all users, calling out "on your left" or using a bell so others know you are behind them, watching small children and pets, and forming a single file line when others are trying to pass. Just like on the road, sharing isn’t just a suggestion, it’s a responsibility for all users.

A Safer, More Inclusive Future

Our goal is to create streets and pathways where people feel confident using the transportation method that works best for them whether that’s a car, a bike, a wheelchair, or their own two feet. With a few simple reminders and a spirit of cooperation, we can make Ames an even better place to live, work, and move.

Link to Information for Bicyclists

Link to Bike Walk Roll - Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan

Coming Soon! - Link to Shared-Use Path Map