Chicago Conservation Corps Blog » Water

Sustainable Backyards Workshop, 3/27, 6 PM

Sameera — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 23:14:04 +0000

Explore Stormwater Management

Sustainable Backyards Workshop

Tuesday, March 27th

6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Chicago Center for Green Technology

445 N. Sacramento Blvd.

Register or learn more at www.chicagogreentech.org or call 312-746-9642

Learn how to make your back, front or side yard more environmentally sustainable. This workshop will cover the basics of installing a rain barrel, setting up a compost bin, planting a tree and more. Spring is a great time to plant a native garden and trees in your yard. You will also learn about the City’s rebate program and how Chicago residents can receive up to 50% off of their next tree, native plant, rain barrel or compost bin purchase.

Chicago Park District Rainbow Beach Workday, 3/24, 10AM

Sameera — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 23:11:50 +0000

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.

C3 Leader, Stephanie’s Wet ‘n Wild Chicago Water Workshop, 3/13, 5PM

Sameera — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 23:05:10 +0000

Explore Water Conservation

C3 Leader, Stephanie Douglass hosts a Free Wet ‘n Wild Chicago Water Workshop

Tuesday, March 13th

5 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Uncommon Ground

1401 W. Devon Ave.

To register or learn more call 260-ALL-GROW

Why does your basement smell when it floods? Should you drink hot water from the tap? How do all those green roofs affect driving conditions after a storm? Get some answers and learn easy and fun ways to conserve water in your home. Materials, raffle, and food discount provided.

How To Save Water & Save Money

Tom R. — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:04:57 +0000

Content Creator: C3 Trainee Tom from www.letUbeU.com

Chicagoans are fortunate to have a large source of fresh water as our neighbor. Over 5.4 million people—44% of the Illinois population—depend on the Chicago Department of Water Management to provide a reliable supply of drinking water from Lake Michigan. Chicago is working hard to avoid situations similar to what is happening to the Colorado River and Aral Sea in Russia where the fresh water supply is being depleted.

To avoid a similar situation, Chicago is preparing by providing citizens with convenient options to conserve water. MeterSave is a new program offered by the City of Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM). Non-metered Chicago homeowners can volunteer to have a water meter installed. Water meters help to save water and save money.

In Chicago, water charges in non-metered homes are tied to factors such as building size, lot-size and the number of plumbing fixtures. However, metered homes are billed according to actual water usage. This means that with minimal effort, participating homeowners could save money on their water bills.

Signing up is completely FREE. The DWM will install your water meter, free of charge, and a wireless radio technology will report your water usage to the DWM. There are 3 ways to sign up:

Visit www.metersave.org
Call 311
Call 312-744-4H2O

ALSO, by signing up for a Water Meter, you will qualify for one of these additional incentives (while supplies last):

A rain barrel – for more details: rain barrels

or An outdoor water conservation kit

A hose timer
Rain guage
Water restricting hose nozzle
Moisture sensor

or An indoor water conservation kit

Low flow shower head
A shower timer
Toilet flapper
Leak Detection Tablets
Toilet tank bank–a toilet tank water displacement pouch
4-quart fill cycle diverter that helps save water after flushing the toilet
Swivel low-flow kitchen aerator
Two bathroon sink aerators
Teflon tape
Water Conservation wheel

or A water meter monitor (a refrigerator magnet that shows water usage)

Watch this video to learn more about the MeterSave program:

MeterSave video

Testimonials about the program: Neighborhood Testimonials

Our previous post: Indoor Water Conservation Tips

Indoor Water Conservation Tips

Tom R. — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:46:36 +0000

Chicagoans love Lake Michigan–fresh water for drinking, swimming, and washing dishes. It provides Chicagoland with water for 42 million people. We are tempted to take our water resource for granted but let’s not forget that 25% of the world’s population has no access to potable water. As Chicagoans it is our job to prevent an outcome similar to what happened in the Aral Sea or what is occurring to the Colorado River. So, here are simple water conservation tips for you to keep in mind while indoors this winter season:

Turn the water off when brushing your teeth or shaving
Use a dishwasher; it uses less water than washing dishes by hand
Run your washing machine or dishwasher ONLY when full
Install a water saving (low-flow) shower head. Purchase one online, here: Shower heads
Fix leaky toilets. Sometimes leaks are unoticeable. To test for leaks, put food coloring in the toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl, you have a leak.
Fix leaky faucets. Keep in mind:

60 drops per minute = 192 gallons of wasted water per month
90 drops per minute = 310 gallons of wasted water per month

Remember, the road to protecting our future and becoming a more environmentally conscience individual starts with baby steps. Thank you for reading!

Content Creator: C3 Trainee Tom from www.letUbeU.com

Don’t Waste Water – a cute video from Sesame Street

Tom R. — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:08:50 +0000

Turning off the sink, while brushing teeth or shaving, is one of our Indoor Water Conservation Tips. Here’s why (a 46-second video from Sesame Street on YouTube): Indoor Water Conservation Video

Content Creator: C3 Trainee Tom from www.letUbeU.com

Join C3 trainee Rob West for a Greening Your Bathroom Workshop, Dec 11th, 10am

Sameera — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:36:57 +0000

Free Class: Save $ by Greening Your Bathroom

When: Sunday, December 11, 10am-Noon

Where: 1102 N. California ave. Chicago

More Info: 773-290-8232, 773-640-7083

RSVP on Facebook

You’re invited to a free home plumbing class, this Sunday at 10am in Humboldt Park. This class series, “Green Plumbing 101″, is sponsored by the Chicago Conservation Corps. Each month, there will be a focus on an area in the home, teaching individuals how to save money and our environment by conserving water and power. All classes are led by Rob West, Master Plumber.

This December Green Plumbing 101 class will teach you how to save money on your water bill by installing easy and affordable retrofits for your bathroom that can save a single household up to 100 gallons a day. He will also demonstrate affordable tools that residents can use to clear clogged drains without using toxic chemicals (or plumbers!).

Join C3 Trainee Rob for a Class on Rain Barrels, Nov 13th, 10 a.m.

Sameera — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:58:15 +0000

C3 Trainee and Plumbing Expert, Rob West, invites you to a FREE class on Rain Barrels this Sunday, November 13th, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at 1102 N. California, Chicago, IL, 60622.

Activities include: Hands-on demonstration of how to build a custom rain barrel from a recycled pickle barrel.

Topics will cover the general concepts you will need to design and manage a rain collection system that fits your buildings specific needs:

-Materials and tools you will need to install a complete rain barrel system for any structure (with a roof!)

-Where to source recycled materials for rain barrels and other parts

-Winter proofing your rain barrels

-Water management for your yard and garden

-Managing overflow

This will be an audience participation class so bring photos of your yard and downspouts. He can also address other topics, such as flood control, plumbing, water and energy conservation, or heating questions.

If you have questions, suggestions, or want to RSVP, please reply to rob@robwestplumbing.com or sign up on Facebook: Facebook Event Sign up Page

Note: This workshop is not a part of the Chicago Sustainable Backyard Program.

Rain Barrels, Compost Bins, Native Plants -Oh my! Sustainable Backyard Workshop, June 14

Britt — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:23:50 +0000

Join the City of Chicago Department of Environment for the first installment of the Sustainable Backyard Workshop series highlighting the many ways residents can create more environmentally-friendly landscapes in their back, front, and side yards.

June 14, 2011
28 E. Jackson, Suite 1800
6:00-8:00 pm
RSVP: 312-743-9283 or rainbarrel@cityofchicago.org

Learn more about the program at chicagorainharvesting

Featured Event! NHS Chicago NeighborWorks Day tomorrow. Come out to Humboldt Park for an added bonus- Sustainable Backyard Demos!

Britt — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 17:26:10 +0000

Photo courtesy of NHS Chicago

Volunteer for a NeighborWorks Day project on Saturday, June 4!
Join in the fun during NHS’ 24th Annual NeighborWorks Day on Saturday, June 4. Volunteers are needed to paint, plant, clean vacant lots, landscape and garden.

During National NeighborWorks® Week, tens of thousands of volunteers, businesspeople, neighbors and friends will be volunteering across the country in a week of neighborhood change and awareness.

Come on out to the NeighborWorks site near you! Breakfast, lunch and a NeighborWorks t-shirt will be provided. RSVP to Lindsey Hammond lhammond@nhschicago.org or (773) 329-4133

Dreaming for Drake- West Humboldt Park
8:15 AM: 500 and 600 blocks of North Drake Ave. – Volunteers needed to paint porches, perform small repairs, plant vegetable, flowers and bushes, spread mulch and grass seed.

12:30 PM: Attend a Free Sustainable Backyard Workshopat the NHS Chicago WHP Neighborhood Center 3601 W. Chicago Ave. This program offered in partnership with the City of Chicago Department of Environment and Chicago Conservation Corps volunteers provides instruction and demonstration on the use of Rain Barrels, Compost Bins, Planting a Rain Garden and more. Prizes & Rebates for up to 50% on Rain Barrels, Compost Bins, Trees and Native Plants will be available.
RSVP for workshop: cstewart@nhschicago.org or 773-329-4127

Living History – North Lawndale- Village West between 3400 & 3500 block W 13th Street near Homan- Beautification and Community Garden Enhancement – North Lawndale is home to more than 20 community gardens. Work will be done in one of the most famous, the African Gardens. Murals and plaques commemorating moments in North Lawndale’s history will be created and installed. Volunteers and residents will paint fencing around Village West Homes and plant flowers and plants around the walkways. There will be a cookout in the African Garden for all the residents and volunteers to celebrate the finished project.

Community Canvas – Back of the Yards/Garfield Boulevards- 2200 to 1700 W. 49th Street- Community Mural – Volunteers from local community organizations and residents will prepare this area for a new community mural. We will prime the surfaces with white primer, clean the debris in front of the wall and replace it with mulch. Murals will be painted during the course of the summer.

Roseland: A Neighborhood in Bloom – Roseland- 0-40 W. 108th street block- Beautification Project -We will work side-by-side with residents to beautify this block. Join us for painting fences and porches, cleaning a vacant lot and planting flowers. Stop by the Open Houses for our newly rehabbed NSP properties on the block.

Block by Block – West Englewood- Resource Fair and Beautification -NHS will host a resource fair and flower planting at a local church within the growing Block Club Network. Join us for planting flowers and small shrubs in the triangles at the corners of each participating block club network and for seniors who need assistance. Help us celebrate two newly formed Block Clubs!

Neighborhoods of Promise: A Showcase of Homes – Chicago Lawn/Gage Park- St. Rita Church 6243 S. Fairfield & St. Mary Star of the Sea Church 6435 S. Kilbourn-These community institutions will hold a “Showcase of Homes” for sale in the neighborhood. There will be opportunities for interested people to visit high quality and affordable homes in a designated area in the parish. Volunteers will help with registration and helping to ensure the event runs smoothly.

Empowering Our Community – Auburn Gresham/Englewood- 449 West 79th Street- Housing Resource Sidewalk Fair -Volunteers are needed to help canvass the neighborhood with information about NeighborWorks Day 2012 and NHS. Everyone is invited to meet the “new” Neighborhood Director! Mini workshops will be offered as well as one-on-one counseling with NHS staff.