The Chicago Conservation Corps (C3) is a program of the City of Chicago Department of Environment and includes the Chicago Conservation Clubs.
Mission
The mission of the Chicago Conservation Clubs is to recruit, train and support a network of teachers and students to improve the quality of life in their schools and neighborhoods through environmental service projects that protect water, clean air, restore land and save energy.
Goals
- To make a measurable environmental impact on the school and surrounding community
- To give students an understanding of how their actions relate to the bigger environmental picture
- To support and foster student and teacher environmental leaders
Overview
Each club performs walk-through audits of their school, investigating how their school can conserve energy and water and increase efforts to reduce, re-use and recycle waste. The clubs then implement three projects over the course of the year – one each for land, air/energy, and water issues – chosen from a menu of potential projects. In addition to providing guidelines for carrying out the audits and projects, Department of Environment (DOE) staff provide project materials and direct teachers to resources that provide the background and context for club efforts.
For example, Conservation Clubs might sponsor a “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Re-think!” competition to encourage teachers and students to recycle, create a “What Are You Waiting For?” campaign to encourage bus drivers and parents to reduce vehicle idling, and “Roll Out the Barrel” by installing a rain barrel on school grounds to divert stormwater from the sewers.
In the 2007-08 school year, we are excited to have Conservation Clubs at over 50 schools.
For the teachers who were not able to participate in this year’s program, feel free to use the Audit and Project Guides, posted below. We hope you will apply to be an official Chicago Conservation Club next year.
Land & Waste Unit
Waste Audit Guide
Worms Ate My Lunch Project Guide
Reduce Reuse Recycle - Rethink Project Guide
Air & Energy Unit
Air & Energy Audit Guide
Alternative Driver’s Ed Project Guide
What Are You Waiting For? Anti-Idling Survey and Campaign Project Guide
Making Change - Air & Energy Campaign Project Guide
Water Unit
Water Audit Guide
Save the Source Project Guide
Teachers interested in applying for the 2008-09 program can contact 312-743-9283 or Conservation@cityofchicago.org or visit our website at www.cityofchicago.org/Environment/C3 in late summer 2008.