C3 is at the Chicago Green Festival This Weekend!

gfbuzz

Attend the May 5-6 at Navy Pier to celebrate solutions leading us to healthier lives and greener communities.

Meet and hear community leaders, cultural icons and reknowned visionaries, including: Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., Van Jones, Amy Goodman, Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Karyn Calabrese, Reed Alexander, Jeffrey Smith, Laura Flanders, Greg Palast, William Ayers, Bernardine Dohrn, and a special satellite presentation from Bill McKibben.

Here’s what you’ll find:
* Find out about the dangers of GMOs and why your food choices are critically important.
* Celebrate World Fair Trade Day at the Fair Trade Stage.
* Learn how to homebrew and make your own mead at the DIY Stage.
* Get the latest in Chicago earth-friendly trends with the T.H.R.E.A.D.S. Eco-Fashion Show.
* Vote for your favorite local nonprofit to get the Ford Community Green Grant!
* Learn how to invest in local food, farms and rebuild our local economy.
* Take home tips to urban garden in your abode.
* Test drive the brand new FORD Focus Electric.
* Watch local celebrity chefs prepare healthy foods on a budget at the Good Food Stage.
* Bring the whole family for fun in the Green Kids Zone!
* Detoxify your home and school to keep your children safe and healthy.
* Enjoy a full weekend of free yoga and movement classes.
* Screen award-winning environmental films at the Sierra Club Green Cinema.
* Discuss the “do’s” and “don’ts” of establishing, financing and marketing your green business.
* Sample and shop with the greenest businesses in your neighborhood.

Discounted tickets are still available online. Purchase your ticket online to save time and money.  Check out www.greenfestivals.org to learn more and get a schedule.

Featured Event! Jackson Park Wooded Island Workday, 5/26, 10AM

Explore Park Stewardship
Jackson Park Wooded Island Workday
Saturday, May 26th
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Contact Jerry Levy at sjlevy@jeromelevylaw.com
Join Park District Steward, Jerry Levy for a fun day of stewardship and education at the Jackson Park Workday.  Volunteers will meet at the Darrow Memorial Bridge, just south of the Museum Of Science and Industry. Activities can include pulling invasives, planting and general site maintenance. Jerry will also talk about the history of Wooded Island and the surrounding community.  Work gloves and tools are provided. Bring your own snacks and water and dress appropriately for outdoor work.

Featured Event! Neighborspace Howard Area Community Garden Workday, 5/19, 9AM

Explore Urban Agriculture
Neighborspace Howard Area Community Garden Workday
Saturday, May 19th
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
1715 W. Juneway Terrace
Join volunteers from Neighborspace, Openlands, and Chicago Cares for an exciting workday at this Rogers Park community garden, one of the oldest commmunity gardens in the city.
There are 50 vegetable plots housed in this garden and maintained by local gardeners.  They need help preparing vegetable beds, fixing a fallen fence, mulching pathways, turning compost and other garden-related tasks.  Gloves and tools are provided, however bringing your own tools would also be helpful (be sure to put your name on your items).  Bring snacks and water and wear clothes that can get dirty.

Chicago River Day 20/20 still has many events before River Day!

Twenty years ago, Friends of the Chicago River started Chicago River Day with 25 volunteers who dragged shopping carts, mattresses, and plastic bags from its banks. Today, this inspiring event has grown to 4,000 volunteers at 65 locations along the Chicago River.

Celebrate this amazing milestone through Chicago River Day 20/20 – 20 days of events and activities that commemorate this milestone and get people involved. There is something for everyone so scroll through the calendar on the website and see what you can do.  Events include lectures, tree planting, tours and, of course, Chicago River Day.

Climate Change Action Workshop for Community Organizations, 5/15, 10AM

You are Invited to a May 15 Climate Change Action
Workshop for Community Organizations
at The Field Museum

What do daycare, cooking, public art, and gardens have to do with climate change? Come to the workshop and find out!

When: Tuesday, May 15, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm (optional tour: 12-12:30)

Where: The Field Museum

RSVP: By May 4th to Kristie Edwards (kedwards@fieldmuseum.org or 312-665-7485) with your name, organization, and email. RSVP early – space is limited.

Parking: We have a few free parking spaces available in the Museum’s West Lot, to be given out to the first respondents who request them. Please request parking when you RSVP. You will receive a confirmation email indicating whether we are able to fulfill your request. Paid parking is available in the adjacent Soldier Field lot. We encourage participants to take public transit.

Co-Sponsor: Chicago Wilderness – this workshop is a Chicago Wilderness Climate Clinic

Details: The workshop will share climate change education and action materials from the Museum’s newly launched Chicago Community Climate Action Toolkit.  Field Museum scientists will present tools that you can use to educate your community about climate change in the Chicago region and engage them in meaningful climate action work, and partners from Pilsen will share their experience transforming a vacant lot into a climate-friendly native play garden. Presentations will be followed by a brainstorm discussion among participants about how to use Toolkit materials in their ongoing work. The workshop will conclude with an optional guided tour of the Museum’s new Abbott Hall of Conservation Restoring Earth exhibition, focused on using it to educate communities about climate change in both global and local contexts.

Participants will receive free Museum admission for the day for themselves and a few friends or family, and a 2012 Family Pass for one day of free Museum admission to use by the end of this year.

C3′s May Featured Events are Here!

Featured Event! C3 Leader Ben’s Comfortably Nimble Spring Bike Workshop, 5/19, 12PM

Fifth Annual 10th Ward Green Summit 2012 Partner Kickoff Tomorrow!

You Are Cordially Invited to the Fifth Annual 10th Ward Green Summit 2012 Partner Kickoff

April 27, 2012

Jovial Club

9615 S. Commercial Avenue

Chicago, IL 60617

9:00am Registration & Breakfast

9:30am-11:00am Program

RSVP to Graciela Robledo at 773.734.9181 Ext. 14 or gracer@claretianassociates.org

Claretian Associates – in cooperation with dozens of community organizations – will be hosting the fifth annual 10th Ward Green Summit Kick Off on Friday, April 27. The kick off begins at 9 a.m. at the Jovial Club at 9615 S. Commercial Avenue, Chicago.

The mission of the 10th Ward Green Summit is to offer area residents a cohesive presentation of currently available green, eco-friendly and healthy initiatives designed to enhance the community’s quality of life and promote economic development, by taking into consideration the communities cultural and economic diversity.  This year’s summit will feature events from neighborhood clean up, recycling electronics, to environmental tours, and much more.

The 10th Ward Green Summit has attracted an audience that has doubled each year. Since its conception in 2008, 400 people participated in this daylong event. Now we host a month-long series of activities, that served 2,500 local residents and visitors in 2011.

Your Input Needed for Healthy Food Plan for Chicago

Growing Forward Insight Sessions at the 2012 Green & Growing Fair

Growing Forward Insight Sessions at the 2012 Green & Growing Fair

Saturday, April 28th, 12-4pm

Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave.
On behalf of GreenNet and all the community gardens that are so important to Chicago’s neighborhoods, you are invited to attend a special Insight Session for community garden leaders at this year’s Green and Growing Fair. At this 45-minute session, GreenNet wants to hear your thoughts on how together, we can make all of our community gardens more vibrant and sustainable.

The Insight Sessions are part of a larger initiative sponsored by GreenNet called Growing Forward, which is a year-long collaboration between gardens, gardeners, and garden support organizations across the City.

Diverse voices are wanted. To lend yours to this effort, please RSVP at http://growingforwardchicago.eventbrite.com
to share your insight about issues and opportunities facing Chicago’s gardens (and afterwards enjoy the fun at the annual Green and Growing Fair!).

The Insight Sessions are 45 minutes each and will be held at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm at the Green and Growing Fair on Saturday, April 28th at the Garfield Park Conservatory.

For more information about Growing Forward, please visit http://www.greennetchicago.org/growing-forward.

Earth Day is Just Around the Corner, but You Can Celebrate Every Day

Celebrate Earth Day by attending one of the many upcoming stewardship events coming up soon!   Can’t make it?  Check out our Event Calendar, which will be updated with exciting opportunities from stewardship events to festivals and everything in between to celebrate Earth Day all year long.

__________

Explore Stewardship Across Chicago
What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to get outside and clean up Chicago?  Events occur all month long. Register, if requested, with the event host and send any questions to the event contact.  Most sites offer gloves, bags and other necessary materials.  Please bring your own snacks and water bottle.  Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather and activity.  Comfortable shoes that can get dirty are recommended.  All events are kid-friendly – feel free to bring the whole family!

steward

Saturday, April 21st
9 a.m. – Noon
Locations Across Chicago
Register at the website.
-
Saturday, April 21st
10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Humboldt Park & Little Village
Saturday, April 21st
9 a.m. – Noon
5531 S. King
Contact wpconservancy@gmail.com
-
Saturday, April 21st
Times Vary
Locations Across Chicago
Contact 311 to Register

Beaubien

Saturday, April 28th
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Halsted and 144th
Contact Eileen at 773-238-4221
-
Saturday, April 28th
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
4055 N. Kenmore
Contact adelorenzo@chicagocares.org
-
Saturday, April 28th
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
6401 N. Stony Island
Contact Jerry at 773-955-6384

Chicago Community Climate Action Toolkit from the Field Museum

Over the past two years, ECCo (Environment, Culture, and Conservation,  a division of the Field museum) staff have been working with partner organizations in four neighborhoods–Forest Glen, Bronzeville, South Chicago, and Pilsen–and across the Chicago Region (including us!) to turn their research on community assets into local projects and tools for education and action that relate climate change to our region and our lives.

They are pleased to announce the launch of climatechicago.fieldmuseum.org!

The website offers a range of multimedia tools to help others start local climate action projects that improve quality of life and address climate change at the same time. Tools are available in English and Spanish. They include:

●     video documentaries on community projects

●     a primer on climate change and its impacts on the Chicago region

●     a climate action comic book

●     a guide to climate-friendly food

●     action strategies for helping the region’s plants and wildlife adapt to climate change

●     educational videos

Volunteers Needed for Energy Impact Illinois

Join Center for Neighborhood Technology to help spread the word about Energy Impact Illinois (EI2) in your neighborhood and make every home more energy efficient. We are looking for volunteers to help host neighborhood events, connect EI2 with local organizations, and help EI2 have a face at events in your community. Become a part of the team, and start making your impact today.

Energy Impact Illinois is a federally funded program that will assist homeowners in making significant energy efficiency improvements to their homes, putting money back in their pockets and reducing their environmental impact. Through EI2, homeowners will be able to take advantage of rebates and low interests loans to improve the value of their homes.  Some homes could be eligible for the Illinois Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® certificate, which can be included in real estate listings should owners their homes in the future.

They are looking for Impact Team leaders who can commit three to five hours per week, and Impact Team members who can commit one to two hours per week, in helping to support energy efficiency. No experience in energy efficiency is required. We will provide free training in both the home improvements available to increase efficiency and the rebates and programs available to assist homeowners.

For more information contact Anna Markowski at CNT Energy: 773-328-7045 or sign up here (http://bit.ly/HP8S0J).

Check out Earth Day Stewardship Events Across Chicago this April!

The Chicago Conservation Corps Six-Year Report

Check out the Chicago Conservation Corps’ six-year report here. We have come a long way since 2006 and we want to share the memories and impacts with you.

It has been an amazing 6 years and we look forward to many more years of grassroots community development and environmental stewardship throughout Chicago.

Want to join our environmental leadership network? There is still space available for our Spring 2012 Environmental Leadership Training Series. During the training, you’ll learn from community and environmental leaders about urban environmental challenges and opportunities for change; then you’ll lead an environmental service project in your community with C3 support and resources.

To apply for the C3 Leadership Training Series, you must be a City of Chicago resident and attend one orientation. The Spring 2012 training will be held at the Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd, on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. on April 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30. Attend an orientation in April to learn more.

  • Tuesday, April 10, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 N Sacramento Blvd
  • Wednesday, April 11, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m., City Hall, 121 N La Salle St
  • Thursday, April 12, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., Washington Park Fieldhouse, 5531 S. Martin Luther King Dr.

To sign up for an orientation or for more information, visit www.conservationcorps.org or contact C3 at (312) 743-9283 or conservation@cityofchicago.org. A $75 fee covers course participation and project support. Financial assistance is available upon request.

We are now accepting applications! www.surveymonkey.com/spring2012leaderapplication Remember that you must also attend an orientation listed above to participate.

Are you a teacher or know a teacher at a CPS School?  Then consider our Student Clubs program!

Club projects include recycling, worm composting, water conservation, and anti-idling campaigns. Teachers involved receive a stipend, materials, project guides, training and other resources.  Learn more about the program here.

Attend one of the orientation dates below to learn more:

Tuesday, April 10th
Chicago Center for Green Technology
445 N. Sacramento Blvd (near Sacramento and Lake)
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Accessible by #94 bus; near California Green Line.
Parking in back lot.
Wednesday, April 11th
Amundsen High School
5110 N. Damen (near Damen and Foster), Room 321
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Accessible by buses #92 and #50; near Damen Brown Line.
Parking in back lot.
Thursday, April 12th
University of Chicago Lab Schools
5823 S. Kenwood Ave., Sunny Gym
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Metra Electric Line
Parking available.

For questions or to reserve a seat, please contact (312) 743-9283 or conservation@cityofchicago.org.

To apply you must be a Chicago Public School teacher (6th – 12th grades) and attend an orientation.  If you are accepted into the program, you must attend three workshops in the 2012-2013 school year, held on Tuesday evenings at the Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612.

We hope you will join us!

Where to find C3 Leaders on Twitter & Facebook

Thank you for joining us. Let this be your guide to finding, liking, and following leaders from the Chicago Conservation Corps. If your name needs to be added, leave your twitter handle or facebook page in the comments below. Thank you!

chicago conservation twitterTwitter:

@ChiConservation – our Twitter account

@CariMclean – Manager, Social Media @HIMSS & @mHIMSS. Self-proclaimed green nerd. Former ballerina. Loves vegetables and goat cheese.

@DanaMcKenzieLee – healthy food blogger- vegetarian & pescitarian

@ecoactivista – I’m a mom of 2, sharing my experiences and info on living a non-toxic, sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle in Chicago!

@JennyJeronimo – Time Travel Agent. Creative Director Designer. Singer Songwriter. Leader of new Chicago chapter of @SheSaysUs. #changetheratio

@katinchicago -

@lafleen – Conservation, laughter, compassion.

@letUbeU – Blogging & fighting for your future. My weapons: Science, Conservation, & Happiness. Doing it w/ chronic arthritis pain.#letUbeU

@LivCohn -

@martinmaciasjr - Writer/journal-activist at @radioarte/@AREAchicago – working towards immigrant/environmental/social/economic justice – FC Barca fan. Organizer at @chicagofair

@MegMatthews – Environmental communications and urban EE leader. Sustainability newsmonger, green chronicler, social justice advocate, bird stalker and self-confessed ecogeek.

@RobWestPlumbing - Full service plumbing shop. 773-290-8232 Chicago and Chicagoland area. specializing in flood control, furnace and boiler repair. Green Plumber.

Facebook:

Chicago Conservation Corps

Elsa Jacobson

Jake Williams – Adopt-A-Beach page

JenEvansDesign

Mark Brouwer

Olivia Cohn

Kristen Pratt

Rob West Plumbing

Request a C3 Speaker for Your Earth Day Event by April 2nd

Have an Earth Day event coming up?  Want a dynamic, knowledgeable speaker to come talk about environmental issues or host a C3 table at your event?  Consider requesting a C3 Speaker!

The C3 Speakers Bureau is a collection of  environmental community leaders that are actively engaged in protecting the environment and improving the quality of life in their communities. C3 Speakers have  experience leading and organizing grassroots environmental projects in all of Chicago’s neighborhoods.

C3 speakers are well versed in conservation topics like composting, local food access, rain barrel installation, recycling and reuse, general conservation and more.

Request a speaker here: www.surveymonkey.com/sbrequest by Monday, April 2nd for Earth day events.  Speakers are also available for community events throughout the year.  Check out the Request a Speaker tab above to learn more.

Please Note: Although we would like to fulfill all requests, this is not always possible since we depend on volunteer availability.  In the case that C3 is not able to attend your event, we will do our best to inform you of our availability 1 week prior to the scheduled event date. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Do Your Part – Participate in Earth Hour 2012! March 31st, 8:30PM

Earth Hour
Saturday, March 31st
8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Around the World

Hundreds of millions of people, businesses and governments around the world unite each year to support the largest environmental event in history – Earth Hour.

More than 5,200 cities and towns (including Chicago) in 135 countries worldwide switched off their lights for Earth Hour 2011 alone, sending a powerful message for action on climate change. It also ushered in a new era with members going Beyond the Hour to commit to lasting action for the planet. Check out the website for additional information, local events, photos, educator resources, and how to go beyond Earth Hour to make a year-round commitment to reduce energy use.  It can be as simple as flipping a switch.

Conservation is #SoSimple

Content Creator, including photographs: C3 Blogger Tom from www.letUbeU.com

The word ‘conservation’ can be confusing. It is defined as the prevention of injury or waste. When we refer to conservation from an environmental viewpoint, we are talking about not injuring animals & insects and their homes, and not wasting natural resources–energy, land, and water.

Conservation is #sosimple

Informally I’ve asked “What is conservation?” to scientists, conservationists, and those who have no interest in the topic. There is a general theme that appears–taking care of our planet–but the answers are all different, which makes me think the topic of ‘conservation’ is confusing to everyday people. So I’m here to make it simple for you. As a volunteer with the Chicago Conservation Corps, I’ve learned that if conservation is anything, it is

#SoSimple

Think: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. We’ll show you 3 #sosimple ways for each. Conservation can take place at home with many simple actions. At the bottom there is a checklist to save or print and post on your wall as a reminder that conservation is #sosimple. Pass this on to your friends & family as well. Thank you.

Reduce:

  1. water consumption by turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving.
  2. waste by purchasing a reusable grocery bag.
  3. energy consumption by turning off the light in a room you’re not using.

Reuse:

  1. dryer sheets with 20 uses for a used dryer sheet.
  2. drink containers. Buy a reuseable water bottle or coffee mug to bring to work or refill at Starbucks.
  3. somebody’s previous belongings by shopping at a thrift store (Brown Elephant or Salvation Army in Chicago).

Recycle:

conservation is #sosimple

  1. all plastic, but NOT #6. Look on the container and bag for the symbol (right).
  2. junk mail.
  3. wine bottles & beer cans.

A tweetable definition of ‘conservation:

Conservation is improving our quality of life for the future by living in collaboration with nature

Please print or save the JPEG below as a reminder. Thank you for reading.

Conservation in Chicago

Chicago Department of Transportation Releases Request for Proposals for the Chicago Conservation Corps Program

Interested in the C3 program and think it would be a good fit for your organization?  Consider submitting a proposal to run the C3 program in partnership with the City of Chicago.  Read on for details.

The Chicago Department of Transportation is seeking a partner or partners to run the Chicago Conservation Corps (C3) program.  Founded in the spring of 2006 at the former Chicago Department of Environment, the Chicago Conservation Corps recruits, trains and supports a network of volunteers who work together to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods and schools through environmental service projects that protect our water, clean our air, restore our land and save energy.  C3 is run in collaboration with seventeen non-profit and municipal partner organizations across Chicago.  C3 volunteers include Chicago residents of all ages and backgrounds engaged in grassroots environmental action in Chicago’s communities.

You can find the request for proposals for the C3 program here.

Please note that a mandatory respondents’ pre-submittal conference will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, March 22, 2012 at Chicago City Hall, Room 1103 (121 N. LaSalle Street). If you wish to submit a proposal for the C3 program, you or a member of your team must attend the meeting on March 22, 2012.  All those interested in attending should RSVP to sean.wiedel@cityofchicago.org by Tuesday, March 20, 2012 and write “Chicago Conservation Corps Respondents Conference” in the subject line.  Please feel free to pass this information to your networks.