Chicago Conservation Corps Blog

Haven’t volunteered in a while? The Serve-a-thon is your chance to get back involved in the work that means so much to so many. The Serve-a-thon organizes hands-on improvement and beautification projects at 40 Chicago Public Schools that will touch the lives of over 25,000 CPS students. Not only doesn’t your involvement make a immediate impact, it will ensure that Chicago Cares can continue creating volunteer opportunities and supporting community work.

8:00am, Check-in and Rally: Check in by your last name at our NEW Serve-a-thon Plaza at Soldier Field (Stadium Green at the south end of the stadium). You’ll receive your project assignment and wake up with breakfast snacks and an energizing morning rally. If you ordered a boxed lunch or t-shirt, pick it up before boarding your bus. By 9 a.m. you’ll be on your way to making a meaningful difference at a Chicago school.

Wear clothes you won’t mind getting dirty. Painting, planting and building is fun and meaningful, but can be messy!

Lunchtime at your project site
Volunteers need to bring their own lunch or order a boxed lunch from Subway. Pre-ordered lunches can be picked up after you check-in at Serve-a-thon Plaza.

3:30 – 5:30pm, Event Celebration: Join your team to celebrate the day’s accomplishments with a party at Serve-a-thon Plaza. Enjoy food, beverages and live music while you reflect on the difference you made in just one day.

Can’t stay all day? Consider volunteering as a event Roadie instead! We have morning and afternoon shifts that might be right for you.

Start a team, join a team, however you participate, make sure you get involved soon!
Registration closes June 7 (or when the event reaches capacity)

Register at www.chicagocares.org

C3 Spring 2010 leadership training has ended and a new round of 35 trainees will head back to their neighborhoods and prepare to get their projects underway. A handful of C3 trainees will be implementing their first projects this month, less than a month after training has concluded. Show your support for C3 trainees and head on out to these exciting events.
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Saturday, June 5
C3 Leader Christine Ferriter:
Benefit Gala for Roots and Rays Community Garden
7:00pm
2255 S. Michigan Ave, Entrance on 23rd Street, hit the bottom buzzer for the top floor

You are warmly invited to this gala celebrating community gardening, organic produce, and local green space! Join in this truly urban-garden loft to enjoy fancy fresh seasonal cocktails, verdant summer treats and live music to benefit the growth of Roots and Rays!

Roots and Rays is a small community garden in Pilsen made up of eight humble raised beds growing a variety of produce, herbs and flowers to engage the neighborhood with cooking workshops, gardening, and composting. This project aims to provide a much-needed green space for thriving community in an environmentally unsound area.

So come don your fancy pants and your green thumbs !
$10 Suggested donation
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Two C3 trainees have teamed up to spread the conservation word to students and parents at Burnham Elementary School’s Year End Carnival. Check out their unique workshops!

Saturday, June 12
C3 Leader, Madeline Morgan: “Good Clean Fun”
10:00-4:00
Burnham Elementary School‎, 1903 East 96th
Madeline Morgan will conduct a “Make your own cleaning liquid” seminar for K-4th grade students and their parents during an end of the year carnival at Burnham School. Students will make safe, non-toxic cleaners in spray bottles for use at home. Madeline and her team will educate participants on the benefits of this activity because of the removal of toxins from the home, lower cost for cleaning products, and better air quality in the home.

Saturday, June 12
C3 Leader, Cheryl Watson: Cooling Chicago’s Climate
10:00-4:00
At the Burnham Elementary School carnival, Cheryl will introduce the concept of Climate Change and what effects it has in Chicago, as well as discuss ways that we can reduce, reuse and recycle to reduce our carbon footprint. Students will demonstrate their understanding of recycling by playing a Recycling Relay game. Students will be asked to complete pledge cards and adults will take the $800 Savings Challenge.

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Saturday, June 19
C3 Leader, Gabriel Irurhe: Go Green at the 18th Ward Gospel Fest!
9:00am-5:00pm
Hayes Park, 2936 West 85th
Gabriel will lead a workshop on the benefits of rain barrels and compost bins for the residents of the 18th ward. Workshop attendees will be eligible for a $30 rebate on their very own rain barrel or compost bin. Both the demonstration compost bin and rain barrel will be raffled off of two lucky winners. Gabriel will team up with fellow C3 Leaders who will help provide additional information on weatherization, energy efficiency, recycling and more.

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It has been said before, and we can’t say it enough, we are so excited about the great work C3 volunteers have completed and will continue to complete in the months and years to come.

The Calumet Stewardship Initiative 10th Ward Green Summit continues into it’s third weekend of this month-long celebration. Join C3 leader Greg Bratton at this exciting workshop promoting healthy eating and backyard agriculture. Come for the information and stay for the delicious food.

Saturday, May 22, 10am – 2pm
Bar-B-Q Make Some Noise!
Location:Community Garden: 8300 S. Saginaw

Presented by Inter-Generational Growing Project
The 63rd Street Drummers will entertain participants of all ages.
A healthy cooking demonstration for teenagers and adults will be led by the Jr. Gardeners and Camilla Alfred ND, CT, MH of Heal Thyself Juice Bar. Free samples of cooked vegetables, juice, and ice cream will be distributed. All ages will learn “container gardening.”

For information is available at http://www.calumetstewardshipinitiative.org/Calumet_Stewardship_Initiative/Green_Summit_2010.html

May presents a lot of great opportunities for volunteerism, hands-on demonstrations and neighborhood actions that contribute to the preservation or your neighborhood’s environment. Tap into to the Chicago Conservation Corps network of dedicated, grassroots environmental leadership and find out how to turn your passion for the environmental into action.

Saturday, May 8, 2010
C3 leaders have mobilized in a big way around the
Friends of the Chicago River 18th Annual Chicago River Day
Get ready to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty on this very important day of stewardship and service. This is Chicago’s day to give back to the river that gives so much it’s citizens.

Volunteer with C3 Leaders and Student Clubs at the following sites

Eugene Field, C3 Teacher Steven Arnam: 773-450-4020
North Shore Channel, C3 Club North Side College Prep,
Barry Rodgers: rodgersbarry@gmail.com
Horner Park, C3 Leader Kevin Anderson and John O’Connell: 312 857-2757×16
Ronan Park, C3 Leader Michael Herman mjherman@gmail.com
Bubbly Creek/35th Street, C3 Leader Marissa Strassel and Sarah Hicks: shicks@saic.edu

To find a site near your community, visit http://www.chicagoriver.org/events/chicago_river_day/sites/

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Barrels, Bees and Blue Bins, Worm Bins and more
Upcoming C3′s Leader Projects.

Saturday, May 8, 2010
C3 Leader Qae-Dah Muhammad
Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Workshop
South Shore Library, Community Room
2502 East 73rd Street
1:00pm-2:30pm

C3 Leader Qae-Dah Muhammad and the Chicago Department of Environment lead a compost bin and rain barrel installation workshop. Learn how detaching your downspout can reduce neighborhood flooding and create a great source of water for your garden. Workshop attendees will receive a $30 rebate towards a rain barrel and/or compost bin found a your local hardware store.
RSVP to 312.743.9283

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Sunday, May 9, 2010
C3 Leader Hazel Archer Ginsberg
Queen Bee For a Day Mother’s Day Celebration
North Park Nature Center
5801 North Pulaski
1:00pm-5:00pm

In celebration of your favorite Queen Bee, be sure to bring your mom to this unique C3 project lead by Hazel Archer Ginsberg, Cyndi Schuman and Jason Greenberg. This event will include a panel of seasoned experts from Gingko Gardens, the University of Illinois at Chicago and several beekeepers that will lead experimental workstations on bee keeping, building your own Mason-Bee box, natural sting remedies and more! Composting demos, native seeds and local honey will also be available to treat your queen bee the many sweet indulgences that nature has to offer. Donations cheerfully appreciated. For event details & pre-registration, contact: hazel@shedrums.com or call NPNC 312-744-5472

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Tuesday, May 11, 2010
C3 Leader Mary Edsey
An Evening With Your Garbage
Sulzer Library
4455 North Lincoln Ave.
6:45pm-8:15pm

Join a panel of experts on garbage, recycling and composting for an insightful discussion of household waste collection in Chicago and how you can make it work most effectively. Follow your garbage and your recyclables from your alley to the landfills and reprocessing plants. Discover how pigs played a role in city waste reduction and how worms can take their place in a compost bin. Learn how to reduce your garbage by shopping green. Free light refreshments and door prizes. To pre-register, email: mary_edsey@sbcglobal.net

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Wednesday, May 12, 2010
C3 Leader, Carla Riggs
Worms Ate My Lunch! Vermicomposting Workshop
True Nature Foods
6034 N. Broadway
7:00pm-8:30pm

C3 Leader, Carla Riggs, will lead another Worms Ate My Lunch Vermicomposting Workshop on May 12th in the Edgewater community. Participants will learn the benefits of composting, learn the basics of maintaining a worm bin, and prepare a worm bin to take home and begin composting. The workshop is currently full but you may check in for updates by emailing greenlifechicago@gmail.com.

You Care. Do Something. We’ll Help.

The Chicago Conservation Corps is heading into it’s ninth Environmental Leadership Training Session. Since 2006, C3 has trained over 250 Chicago residents on conservation issues. Upon completion of the 5-week training, Chicagoans, like you and me, continue on to implement community conservation projects that make a real impact on the livelihood of neighborhoods citywide. C3 staff not only provide training and support to volunteers throughout the process, the program is designed to offer resources, materials and guidance so that projects are successful and create a measurable environmental impact– it is a chance to make a real difference in your community.

The first step is to register for and attend one of the following orientation sessions:

Thursday, March 25 – 7pm – 8pm, South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60649

Saturday, March 27 – 1pm – 2pm, Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd., Chicago, IL 60612

Monday, March 29 - 12pm – 1pm, City Hall 11th Floor, 121 N. Lasalle, Chicago, IL 60602

To apply for the C3 Leadership Training Series, you must be a City of Chicago resident and attend one orientation. The Spring 2010 training will be held at the Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd, Saturdays, April 10, 17, 24, and May 1 from 9:30am – 1:30pm. A mandatory field trip will take place on Saturday, May 8. A $75 fee covers course participation and project support. Financial assistance is available upon request.

Apply now!

Spring 2010 Leader training.pdf

Are you interested in attending a special screening event for the new 11-part Discovery Channel series, LIFE?

THURSDAY, MARCH 18 2010
Landmark Century Theater
2828 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60657

Doors open: 6:45pm
Screening: 7:30pm

Reserve seats by e-mailing discoverylifechicago@hotmail.com. Be sure to include “CHICAGO CONSERVATION” in the subject line with your name and the name of your guest (1 per person).

If you can’t make it to the screening, be sure to check out the mini-series on the Discovery Channel.

Our world is home to more than 30 million different animal and plant species, each locked in a unique fight for survival. The all-new 11-part series LIFE is the definitive exploration of the adaptability and diversity of life on earth, revealing the most spectacular, bizarre and fascinating behaviors that living things have devised in order to thrive. Many of these were captured for the first time using the latest in state-of-the-art high-definition filming techniques.

From strange creatures, such as the star-nosed mole that hunts underwater using bubbles to smell its prey, to epic spectacles, including millions of fruit bats darkening the Zambian sky, each episode tells mind-blowing stories of survival with drama, humor and suspense.

More than four years in the making, filmed over 3,000 days, across every continent and in every habitat, this is life as no one has ever seen it before.

Narrated by Oprah Winfrey, LIFE will make its U.S. debut on Discovery Channel on March 21, 2010.

Life Poster <-- share with your friends!

Our sincere apologies for these technical difficulties, our google calendar has been down for weeks– but have no fear, we want to help you get involved in any way possible. Please find this week’s volunteer event and opportunities below.

Tonight—-Tuesday, February 23, 2010

River Day Site Captain Meeting
Put your leadership skills to work and manage volunteer team for Chicago River Day activities.
Volunteers work side-by-side to collect garbage and sort for recycling, remove invasive vegetation, spruce up river-edge trails, plant native seedlings and more. Friends is also expanding hands-on learning opportunities this year by introducing volunteers to simple everyday practices that conserve water, help stop unnecessary flooding, and prevent pollutants from running into the river.

Want to get involved? Contact Cynthia Fox at cfox@fcr.org
www.chicagoriver.org

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Thursday, February 25, 2010

Volunteer Meet and Greet
Come to the Celtic Knot in Evanston for a fun and informal volunteer meet and greet. Never volunteered before, interested in what is happening with Asia Carp? Want to know how you can help? Come out and meet those leading the charge and how you can get involved.

626 Church Street, Evanston, Illinois 60201
(847) 864-1679

www.greatlakes.org

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Session A: Thursday, February 25- Friday, February 26, 2010
Session B: Saturday, February 27 and Sunday, February 28, 2010

Chicago Wilderness Midwest Ecological Prescription
Burn Crew Member Training
The Natural Resources Management Team will be offering two sessions of the CW Midwest Ecological Prescription Burn Crew Member Training on Thursday & Friday, February 25 & 26 and Saturday & Sunday, February 27 & 28. Registration details will be available soon. In the meantime, if you would like to be added to the email notification list for the training please contact:
Chris Mulvaney, CW Science & NRM Team Coordinator
chris.mulvaney@chicagowilderness.org or 847-242-6424

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Your Resource Guide to Energy Savings
The American Recovery and Investment Act issued federal funding for energy efficiency upgrades and appliance rebates this week. Specifically, Illinois will recieve $12 million to provide residents with incentives and purchasing power for energy efficient products and appliances. Starting January 31, 2010 citizens will be able to upgrade water heaters, AC units and heaters for Energy Star products. Participants will receive point of purchase rebates to off set upgrade costs. During Earth Week April 16 – 25, 2010, point of purchase rebates will be made available on all Energy Star household appliances. Find an Energy Star retailer. Get in touch with COMED to schedule a pick to recycle you old appliance.

These purchases along with other more common energy efficiency improvements (roofing, insulation, HVAC) reward your stewardship with tax credits on your 2009 tax return. Click here tax forms and more

Energy efficiency is often on the minds of Chicagoans as we head face first into the dead of winter. Staying warm often comes at an expense that can leave many drowning in debt. The success of the Low Cost Weatherization and Education Program (LCWEP featured in the previous blog post) has demonstrated that there is a growing demand for energy efficiency among Chicagoans. Not only is energy efficiency kind to your wallet, it creates the opportunity to make a measureable impact on climate change. Take the $800 Savings Challenge and find out how much money and energy you could be saving

Another incentive for your energy stewardship is being offered through the Norther Illinois Energy Project. Northern Illinois Energy Project is asking citizens to complete a survey on Compact Florescent Light bulb use. Those that complete the survey are eligible to win a month’s electric bill PAID. Take a quick survey, register for their mailing list and you could be the lucky winner.

ENERGY ACTION OPPORTUNITIES IN CHICAGO
Southside Solar Power
There’s a little more sunshine on the south side these days. Or at least that what it seems like in West Pullman, which recently became the home of Chicago’s first large scale solar panel project. The City of Chicago, together with SunPower and Exelon, has dedicated 39 acres of the West Pullman Industrial Redevelopment Area for the installation of 32,800 solar panels, and the result will produce10 megawatts of clean energy. The effort is projected to divert “approximately 31.2 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions annually” according to the Exelon press release. Check out the feature on Chicago Tonight.

Climate Cycle
If you are interested in learning more about local action to bring clean and efficient energy to Chicago- you may be interested in what is going on with Climate Cycle. Climate Cycle is a local non-profit that is working with Chicago Public Schools to education students about alternative energy and its impact on climate change. Climate Cycle takes this new-found knowledge to the next level by then assisting schools install solar panels. Panels have been installed on 1 school thus far and there are plans to complete 5 more in 2010. You can support this effort by joining the Solar Schools Ride on May 16, 2010. Find out how you and your team can ride into the sunset at the Team Captain meeting on January 28th from 6pm-7:30pm REI Chicago 1460 N. Halstead

Green Tech University Spring 2010 Schedule
The Chicago Center for Green Technology’s Green Tech U program has been developed in response to the increasing demand for educational resources in green technology in Chicago. Green Tech U programs provide an opportunity to meet like-minded people, expand professional networks and increase knowledge of sustainability, green building and public policy. All Green Tech U seminars are available to any interested individuals throughout the year.

REGISTRATION:
Advance registration is required for all Green Tech U seminars. You may register by calling (312) 746-9642, or email your desired class and contact information to greentech@cityofchicago.org with “Green Tech U” as the subject line.

COST:
Unless otherwise specified in the program description, Green Tech U seminars are free to the public.

CERTIFICATES:
Green Tech U offers certificates in the following subject areas:
• Architecture
• Building and Construction Management
• Engineering
• Green Business
• Green Home and Garden
• Interior Design

To register for a certificate, participants must fill out a “Program Registration” form. Registrants must then complete six eligible seminars within a 12-month period; one of the six seminars must be the foundation course, “Ecology of Design.” Please sign-in before each seminar on the “Sign-In” form, specifying what certificate(s) you are pursuing.

Once the six seminars minimum has been met, attendees are responsible for completing the “Certificate Tracking and Application” form, and submitting it to a Green Building Resource Center staff member, emailing it to greentech@cityofchicago.org, or faxing it to (312) 746-9778. Please call (312) 746-9642 or e-mail for assistance.

As 2010 commences, C3 looks forward to yet another year of creative conservation projects made possible by grassroots environmental leaders, teachers, and student clubs.

Featured in this edition
-City of Chicago Holiday Tree Recycling Program
-Year to Date Impacts of our Hardworking C3 Volunteers
-Save the Date: Upcoming Leader Orientations and Trainings

City of Chicago Holiday Tree Recycling
Start the year out on the right track and bring your Christmas tree to the annual City of Chicago Tree Recycling Program. Chicago Park District locations will host tree drop off services from January 1-17. What’s more is that starting January 8, you can return and pick up your free mulch (and a glimmer of spring warmth). Click here for details.

C3 Year to Date Successes
2009 has been a fantastic year for C3 and its volunteers! Since the program’s inception in 2006, nearly 200 volunteers have been certified through the Leadership Training Program. C3 has also been hard at work in schools across Chicago through the efforts of nearly 80 C3 Student Clubs. A significant accomplishment for both C3 Leaders and Clubs this year includes the distribution of over 5000 weatherization kits to residents in need through the City’s Low Cost Weatherization and Education Program.

Look for more information on our leaders, clubs and projects over the next year as we highlight their work and dedication to land, water, air and energy preservation.

Save the Date: Spring 2010 Environmental Leadership Training Series
Joins us for an orientation session and learn how to turn your dedication to environmental protection into action. The Chicago Conservation Corps is now recruiting for its Spring 2010 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.
Attend one of the orientations listed below to learn more. For questions or to reserve a seat, please contact (312) 743-9283 or conservation@cityofchicago.org.

Thursday, March 25 - 7pm – 8pm, South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60649

Saturday, March 27 – 1pm – 2pm, Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd., Chicago, IL 60612

Monday, March 29 - 12pm – 1pm, City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60602

To apply for the C3 Leadership Training Series, you must be a City of Chicago resident and attend one orientation. The Spring 2010 training will be held at the Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd, Saturdays, April 10, 17, 24, and May 1 from 9:30am – 1:30pm. A mandatory field trip will take place on Saturday, May 8. A $75 fee covers course participation and project support. Financial assistance is available upon request.

October is Fair Trade Month

Fair trade is a growing movement across the globe – and it’s growing here in Chicago too. Buying food you’d purchase regularly, but choosing those that are fair trade certified ensures healthier labor conditions, increased worker wages and improved environmental standards in developing countries around the globe. Here are five ways you can be a “fair trader” in your kitchen this month (and every month!):

1. Seek it out: Look for the “Fair Trade Certified” label on products at your grocery store.

2. Drink it up: Chicago-based Argo Tea offers 100 percent organic, shade-grown, fair trade coffee – you don’t even have to make a special ask. Check out the variety of coffee shops around town that offer fair trade drinks

3. Be a wine-o: Fair trade wine supports healthy working conditions for grape growers and winery employees – and the grapes are also grown sustainably. Target now offers three varieties in its “Wandering Grape” collection.

4. Sweet treat: Make a banana split using only fair trade certified ingredients. From the ice cream, the banana to the chocolate on top, it all can be made fair trade.

Chicago Fair Trade GlobalFest

Chicago Fair Trade is hosting its annual GlobalFest, a fundraiser and a celebration of all things fair trade in our city. This year, it highlights South Asian partners and features a fair trade fashion show, food from the region, and a silent auction with lots of great items.

Wednesday, October 28

5:30-9pm

Roosevelt University, Congress Lounge

430 S. Michigan Ave.

Tickets: $40 – in advance

www.chicagofairtrade.org

Last week the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act was released in the U.S. Senate.

This week, Green for all hosted a National Briefing Call and prepared a summary to help supporters and allies understand the bill and its significance.

Now with the Environment and Public Works Committee preparing to edit the bill, it is up to all of us to keep up the momentum for strong climate and clean energy legislation.

Take Action – Fax your Senators Now!

Tell them to strengthen and quickly pass the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act

This bill includes strong climate standards, and the access and opportunity for all. Your senator’s support for this bill will maximize investments in green job creation and training.
Take Action Now!

Please Visit www.greenforall.org for more information.

From December 7th to December 18th, world leaders will gather in Copenhagen for the U.N. Climate Change Conference and will work to negotiate a treaty to reign in global warming. Climate change organizations 1 Sky and 350.Org are finding ways for individuals to make a difference by hosting an International Day of Climate Action.

On Saturday, October 24th, join thousands of communities in 140 countries to highlight the need to reduce carbon levels in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million, the upper limit of what climate scientists tell us is safe.

Sign up today to host an October 24 International Day of Climate Change Action Event
http://www.1sky.org/october24

Potential events include a rally, a party, or any other action. The key point is to incorporate the number “350″ into a very visible sign or banner. Gather with your friends and family to take a picture, and the photo to 350.org so they can show the power of your actions to President Obama and key swing Senators.

At the end of David O’Donnell’s presentation on the Chicago Climate Action Plan, he gave a big plug to a guy named Doug Mckenzie-Mohr on his Community Based Social Marketing, and his success bringing impact to sustainable projects. He wrote a book called Fostering Sustainable Behavior, and it is free to download the pdf at his Web site www.cbsm.com. Click on the book tab.