Join us to make stunning, reusable 3-D snowflakes out of flat bottomed paper bags (like grocery or lunch sacks). All materials provided, as well as instructions so you'll be able to turn your next grocery run into a winter delight.
From Repair Cafe Oak Park:
Toss it? No way!
The Oak Park Repair Café is meeting on the first Saturday of each month, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., at Fox Park in Oak Park. We will be in the Community Center in the park, at 624 S. Oak Park Avenue. Free, on-street parking.
Volunteer coaches will be on hand to work with you, helping you fix those household items you’ve been meaning to take care of – everything from toasters to radios, to clocks or torn clothing. Given a huge increase in visitor volume, repairs will be limited to one item per guest.
We respectfully request all guests be masked during their visit.
For more information about the Oak Park Repair Café, please go to www.repaircafeoakparkil.org and to learn more about the international Repair Café movement, check out www.repaircafe.org.
From Forest Preserves Cook County: Learn about creative reuse methods and mending techniques. Give items a second life by turning them into an ornament, decoration or bird feeder. Supplies provided or bring your own.
Explore the curiosities and complexities of nature, environmentalism, and sustainability through fiction and nonfiction literature on the third Wednesday of every other month.
From Forest Preserves Cook County: Teens & families, give back this MLK day. Join us for a litter clean up in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Drop-in event. Grove 10.
Interested in learning how to start growing vegetables but feeling intimidated? Join certified urban farmer Chamika Moore to learn the basics of how to begin growing seeds indoors for your first-ever spring vegetable garden. Whatever the size of the space you have, from a window in an apartment to a designated spot in a yard, this is the class for you!
From Forest Preserves Cook County: Build your own walking stick using buckthorn, an invasive species. Ages 12-17 w/adult. Ages 12 & up.
Please save the date for the fourth annual Illinois Soil Health Week, March 3rd - 9th, 2025. Events are free and open to anyone that wants to learn more about soil and will feature educational opportunities including a home pantry garden and compost demo, Getting to Know Chicago Soil and Hempology 101, among others.
Be a Food Waste Hero during Food Waste Prevention Week 2024 and save the day, one meal at a time. Don't be fooled by waste—join the mission to rescue delicious meals and be the hero our planet needs.
International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is the largest and most comprehensive education initiative of the compost industry. It is celebrated during the first full week of May throughout the US and internationally. The goal of ICAW is to work together to raise public awareness on why we all should be composting our organics and using compost to create healthier soil.
Explore the sights and sounds of Caldwell Woods! Whether you're a nature lover, an adventure seeker, or just looking for something fun to do, this outdoor scavenger hunt will lead you through beautiful landscapes and hidden gems. Perfect for families, friends, and adventurers of all ages.
Don't miss out – adventure awaits!
Our community socials bring like-minded people together to hold conversations and learn about sustainability and the environment.
Learn about the work that District Councils are doing with the Chicago Police to help with mental health crises from Jennifer Schaffer, the 19th District Councilor for Community Engagement.
The Village is hosting an electronic waste recycling drop-off event on Sat., Dec. 14 at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd.
Due to strict regulations on collecting and processing these materials, residents are required to register for a time slot between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and identify their electronic waste items in advance.
Neonicotinoid insecticides, commonly known as “neonics,” have become the most widely used insecticides in the U.S., leading to drastic declines in bees, pollinators, birds, and aquatic ecosystems. In this webinar, Lucas Rhoads, Senior Attorney with NRDC’s Pesticides & Pollinators Team, will share expert insights on how neonics impact our environment and pose serious risks to human health.
Join local and statewide climate leaders to learn how recent policies are accelerating the transition to clean energy in our State and Village and learn how your household can take positive steps toward fighting climate change!
Students in grades 3 to 5 will learn the basics of how to make a film from professional filmmakers. Instruction will cover story, framing, lighting, audio, editing, and production. Entering the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest is encouraged but not compulsory.
BRING AN IPAD OR TABLET! Nut-free snacks and water are provided. Cost is $45 for River Forest residents and $50 for non-residents. Location is River Forest Depot, 401 Thatcher Ave., River Forest, IL. This is a collaboration with the River Forest Park District.
From Repair Cafe Oak Park:
Toss it? No way!
The Oak Park Repair Café is meeting on the first Saturday of each month, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., at Fox Park in Oak Park. We will be in the Community Center in the park, at 624 S. Oak Park Avenue. Free, on-street parking.
Volunteer coaches will be on hand to work with you, helping you fix those household items you’ve been meaning to take care of – everything from toasters to radios, to clocks or torn clothing. Given a huge increase in visitor volume, repairs will be limited to one item per guest.
We respectfully request all guests be masked during their visit.
For more information about the Oak Park Repair Café, please go to www.repaircafeoakparkil.org and to learn more about the international Repair Café movement, check out www.repaircafe.org.
For many of our youth and their families, finding a warm coat that fits is a crucial challenge each year. Without one, a young person can struggle to go to school, attend BUILD programs, escape dangerous situations, or stay healthy. A good coat can mean hope and safety, and each year we help more than three hundred more youth stay warm.
From Forest Preserves of Cook County
WHoo’s calling out in the dark of night? Listen for owls. Ages 10 & up.
As the sun sets, we’ll guide you through the forest preserves on a twilight expedition, learning about these fascinating nocturnal creatures. With expert naturalists leading the way, you’ll have a chance to hear owl calls, spot wildlife, and experience the magic of the forest after dark.
From Forest Preserves of Cook County
Elevate Your Birdwatching Skills—Join Our Identifying Bird Songs Workshop!
Passionate about birds? Whether you’re a novice or looking to sharpen your skills, our Bird Songs Bird ID workshop is perfect for you. Learn how to identify common bird species and enhance your birdwatching experience with expert guidance.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with fellow bird enthusiasts and refine your bird identification skills.
Native plants have an incredible ability to adapt to climate extremes, offering sustainable solutions for resilient landscapes. Join Wild Ones and the Native Plant Society of Texas to explore the power of native plants to thrive in challenging conditions.
Chicago Conservation Corps’s Fall 2024 Sustainability Leadership Training is your way to spark change in your community.
You will receive training from C3 Experts representing established organizations already doing sustainability work. After
completing the Sustainability Leadership Training, C3 Leaders become sustainability champions in their communities and
receive funds and individualized museum staff support for an unlimited number of sustainability projects.
This 8-week course will be held online via Zoom this fall. Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings,
October 2 - November 20, from 6pm-8pm. We never want finances to be a barrier to participation and as a result this
training is pay what you can. If you are able, a $125 suggested course fee helps to offset staff time and resources.
How to Attend:
Scan the QR code, visit naturemuseum.org/c3, or call 773-755-5128 to reserve a space.
From Oak Park Library
Explore the curiosities and complexities of nature, environmentalism, and sustainability through fiction and nonfiction literature. Learn more about library-led book discussions »
The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson is a novel spanning several generations that follows a Dakhóta family’s struggle to preserve their way of life, and their sacrifices to protect what matters most. Weaving together the voices of four indelible women, The Seed Keeper is a story of reawakening, of remembering our original relationship to the seeds and, through them, to our ancestors.
From Oak Park Library
If you missed our Bee Love and Honey event last year - we are excited to share that Debbie Becker, local Oak Park Beekeeper will be back to demonstrate a BEE-hind the scenes look at how honey is harvested. A tasting of the honey will be offered. No live bees will be present. This is a family-friendly, drop-in event. We hope you'll BEE there!
Please join us for our 4th COP livestream event, where Chicago area high school students will share their stories and experiences from Baku, Azerbaijan! The event will be held on November 14th at 10:10 am. Please share this invite with your friends and family! Be sure to register using this link https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEld--vqTMrGt28-PhI4AhN6wPERETdUW8G#/registration
Please join us for our 4th COP livestream event, where Chicago area high school students will share their stories and experiences from Baku, Azerbaijan! The event will be held on November 14th at 10:10 am. Please share this invite with your friends and family! Be sure to register using this link https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEld--vqTMrGt28-PhI4AhN6wPERETdUW8G#/registration
From Oak Park Library
Join us for an evening of book folding! Come learn some basic techniques in a brief presentation then have an opportunity to create a three-dimensional Winter Tree or Birdhouse to bring home. Used hardcover books will be provided but feel free to bring your own. No experience necessary. Open to teens and adults.
This workshop will be led by local folded-book enthusiast and long-time Friends of the Library Volunteer Patricia Kirshenbaum with assistance from OPPL staffer and paper artist Linda Ivey Miller.
Chicago Conservation Corps’s Fall 2024 Sustainability Leadership Training is your way to spark change in your community.
You will receive training from C3 Experts representing established organizations already doing sustainability work. After
completing the Sustainability Leadership Training, C3 Leaders become sustainability champions in their communities and
receive funds and individualized museum staff support for an unlimited number of sustainability projects.
This 8-week course will be held online via Zoom this fall. Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings,
October 2 - November 20, from 6pm-8pm. We never want finances to be a barrier to participation and as a result this
training is pay what you can. If you are able, a $125 suggested course fee helps to offset staff time and resources.
How to Attend:
Scan the QR code, visit naturemuseum.org/c3, or call 773-755-5128 to reserve a space.
Chicago Conservation Corps’s Fall 2024 Sustainability Leadership Training is your way to spark change in your community.
You will receive training from C3 Experts representing established organizations already doing sustainability work. After
completing the Sustainability Leadership Training, C3 Leaders become sustainability champions in their communities and
receive funds and individualized museum staff support for an unlimited number of sustainability projects.
This 8-week course will be held online via Zoom this fall. Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings,
October 2 - November 20, from 6pm-8pm. We never want finances to be a barrier to participation and as a result this
training is pay what you can. If you are able, a $125 suggested course fee helps to offset staff time and resources.
How to Attend:
Scan the QR code, visit naturemuseum.org/c3, or call 773-755-5128 to reserve a space.
From Oak Park Library
Fall is a great time to plant seeds and we have 3 different varieties of native flower seeds at the library. Make a seed sphere with clay and compost and plant it in your yard or community!
This program is for kids and families!
This powerful exploration of how activists are creatively using media to engage, activate, and organize—and the voices we still need to amplify. Featuring panelists from Girl Voter, Free Spirit Media, and Chicago Film Workshop, moderated by Maxwell Evans of Block Club Chicago.
View the Atlas cedars of Morocco, walk the urban streets of India, and see the mythical blue stag of Mexico, among other adventures.
On Saturday, Nov. 2, watch 6 short, One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest Atlantic/USA region honorable mention films online from 12 to 1 p.m. CDT, take a long break, and then see 5 more Pacific region films from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. CDT. Hear from some of the filmmakers before their films screen to learn what inspired them and the impact they hope to make with their films.
View the Atlas cedars of Morocco, walk the urban streets of India, and see the mythical blue stag of Mexico, among other adventures.
On Saturday, Nov. 2, watch 6 short, One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest Atlantic/USA region honorable mention films online from 12 to 1 p.m. CDT, take a long break, and then see 5 more Pacific region films from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. CDT. Hear from some of the filmmakers before their films screen to learn what inspired them and the impact they hope to make with their films.
From Repair Cafe Oak Park:
Toss it? No way!
The Oak Park Repair Café is meeting on the first Saturday of each month, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., at Fox Park in Oak Park. We will be in the Community Center in the park, at 624 S. Oak Park Avenue. Free, on-street parking.
Volunteer coaches will be on hand to work with you, helping you fix those household items you’ve been meaning to take care of – everything from toasters to radios, to clocks or torn clothing. Given a huge increase in visitor volume, repairs will be limited to one item per guest.
We respectfully request all guests be masked during their visit.
For more information about the Oak Park Repair Café, please go to www.repaircafeoakparkil.org and to learn more about the international Repair Café movement, check out www.repaircafe.org.
Chicago Conservation Corps’s Fall 2024 Sustainability Leadership Training is your way to spark change in your community.
You will receive training from C3 Experts representing established organizations already doing sustainability work. After
completing the Sustainability Leadership Training, C3 Leaders become sustainability champions in their communities and
receive funds and individualized museum staff support for an unlimited number of sustainability projects.
This 8-week course will be held online via Zoom this fall. Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings,
October 2 - November 20, from 6pm-8pm. We never want finances to be a barrier to participation and as a result this
training is pay what you can. If you are able, a $125 suggested course fee helps to offset staff time and resources.
How to Attend:
Scan the QR code, visit naturemuseum.org/c3, or call 773-755-5128 to reserve a space.
The Oak Park Farmers’ Market is held from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday through Oct. 26, 2024. The Market is located in the Pilgrim Church parking lot at 460 Lake St., one block west of Ridgeland Avenue.
Chicago Conservation Corps’s Fall 2024 Sustainability Leadership Training is your way to spark change in your community.
You will receive training from C3 Experts representing established organizations already doing sustainability work. After
completing the Sustainability Leadership Training, C3 Leaders become sustainability champions in their communities and
receive funds and individualized museum staff support for an unlimited number of sustainability projects.
This 8-week course will be held online via Zoom this fall. Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings,
October 2 - November 20, from 6pm-8pm. We never want finances to be a barrier to participation and as a result this
training is pay what you can. If you are able, a $125 suggested course fee helps to offset staff time and resources.
How to Attend:
Scan the QR code, visit naturemuseum.org/c3, or call 773-755-5128 to reserve a space.
One Earth Collective is thrilled to be a media partner with @Eco.Logic’s Eco.Crews, a program designed to build community around environmental action. If you’ve been wanting to do more for the environment, but have been unsure where to start, definitely check out this program!
Register here (https://www.zeffy.com/.../86d82d40-d5cd-4871-ab04...) and learn more below.
What is an Eco.Crew? Eco.Crews are designed to give people space to talk about environmental issues and inspire individual and systemic action, while building community.
Participants will join a small crew to meet weekly for 6-weeks starting September 18. Each crew has an expert facilitator to help guide group discussions and each week there is a new opportunity to take action. Topics range from money’s role in climate to environmental art.
From Oak Park Public Library
Looking for Halloween costumes for children ages 0-11? "Shop" the free swap—even if you don't have a costume to swap:
Saturday, October 19, 1-5 pm
Monday, October 21, 9 am-8 pm
Have a costume to donate to the swap? October 1-November 7: Drop off gently used and newly washed costumes and accessories for children ages 0-11 in the Main Library Children's Services Area during the library’s open hours.
From Oak Park Public Library
Looking for Halloween costumes for children ages 0-11? "Shop" the free swap—even if you don't have a costume to swap:
Saturday, October 19, 1-5 pm
Monday, October 21, 9 am-8 pm
Have a costume to donate to the swap? October 1-November 7: Drop off gently used and newly washed costumes and accessories for children ages 0-11 in the Main Library Children's Services Area during the library’s open hours.
