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 – . . . → Read More: Chicago River Day 20/20 still has many events before River Day!]]>

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Explore Stewardship Across Chicago What better way to . . . → Read More: 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.

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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!

Contact svergara@thesca.org

Earth Day Celebration at Washington Park

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 . . . → Read More: 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:

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!

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.

. . . → Read More: 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.

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:

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.

Chicago Park District Rainbow Beach Workday

Saturday, March 24th

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Note New Time)

77th St. and the Lake (Meet at the entrance to the Nature Area, southeast end of the beach.)

Contact the steward at alison.anastasio@gmail.com for more information or to register.

In the mid . . . → Read More: Chicago Park District Rainbow Beach Workday, 3/24, 10AM]]> Explore Dune Restoration

Chicago Park District Rainbow Beach Workday

Saturday, March 24th

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Note New Time)

77th St. and the Lake (Meet at the entrance to the Nature Area, southeast end of the beach.)

Contact the steward at alison.anastasio@gmail.com for more information or to register.

In the mid 1990s, beach ridges began to form naturally in the eastern section of Rainbow Beach. Soon, dune species began to colonize the newly formed beach ridges. Recognizing the site’s potential to form a natural dune ecosystem, the Chicago Park District installed protective fencing in 2001 to protect this developing nature area from excessive foot traffic. Attend this workday (the first one of the year!) and help this unique and young habitat thrive.  Please dress for the weather and bring water. Gloves and other materials will be provided.

Restoration Workday at North Park Village Nature Center

Sunday, March 18th

9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

5801 N. Pulaski

No registration necessary. Call 312-744-5472 for more information.

Enjoy a day in the woods of the North Park Village.  Help remove invasive plants like buckthorn; plant and/or remove trees; and learn about . . . → Read More: Restoration Workday at North Park Village Nature Center, 3/18, 9AM]]> Explore Garden Stewardship

Restoration Workday at North Park Village Nature Center

Sunday, March 18th

9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

5801 N. Pulaski

No registration necessary. Call 312-744-5472 for more information.

Enjoy a day in the woods of the North Park Village.  Help remove invasive plants like buckthorn; plant and/or remove trees; and learn about native landscapes.  Tools, gloves, and refreshments will be provided.  Be sure to check out the Nature Center after the workday for kid-friendly activities and educational information.

DETAILS

March 13, 2012, 7–9 pm Hairpin Lofts, Logan Square Arts Center 2800 N. Milwaukee . . . → Read More: Spring Public Workshop for the Milwaukee Avenue Green Development Corridor Grant Program, 3/13, 7PM]]> Want to help manage stormwater and prevent flooding in Logan Square? Interested in making green improvements to your property, no matter where you live?  Join us at the first public workshop for the Milwaukee Avenue Green Development Corridor grant program!

DETAILS

March 13, 2012, 7–9 pm
Hairpin Lofts, Logan Square Arts Center 2800 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago

Learn how the grant program works and get free consultation from design professionals on the kinds of projects – a green roof, rain garden, permeable paving – that make sense for your home or business.  Check to see if your property is in the corridor at www.logansquareh2o.org.

Why should you come?

• Learn about the Milwaukee Avenue Green Development Corridor grant program
• Learn about stormwater management and green infrastructure
• Learn about other City of Chicago programs you can use
• Get free design ideas for green infrastructure projects on your property
• Have fun and meet your neighbors!

What should you bring?

Please bring aerial photos, blueprints or other schematics of your property to discuss with our designers.  Aerial images printed from Google Earth, Google Maps, or something comparable are sufficient.

Questions? Contact Josh Ellis at jellis@metroplanning.org

This workshop is free and open to the public, and no matter where your property is, you can benefit from attending.  Please note, however, only properties within the designated corridor are eligible for grant funding through this program. To be eligible for a grant, applicants must attend a program workshop, which will take place every three months, or until all grant funds have been awarded.  Additional workshops will occur at the same time and place on June 12 and Sept. 11.

The event is free, but please register.