Please come and learn about Briar East Woods- woods that are in danger of being destroyed. Learn what you can do to help save the woods!
Join us for an open discussion on climate change and other environmental topics. You are invited to share an article, book, podcast, video, website or film related to environmental issues that you'd like to discuss.
Hosted by Oak Park Public Library:
In celebration of World Migratory Bird Day, drop by the Idea Box for tours of the exhibit CROSSING PATHS: Migrating Birds and You, led by Oak Park Elementary School District 97 students in the Brooks Environmental Action Team (BEAT).
Learn more about their process and about the human-made obstacles birds face as well as inspiration for actions people can take to help them on their journeys.
Join this junky jamboree to celebrate MOTHERS of all kinds: Mommas of humans, Mother of our Earth, and all the mother-junking artisans who transform materials into one-of-a-kind wonders.
There is no other market that offers a "Participatory Production" experience! What does that mean? Not only can you shop for upcycled home goods, art, planters, fashion, body care, and oddball stuff, you can also drop off household supplies to the artisans for their future creative projects. Plus, other hands-on activities.
Our premier event of Chicago Water Week, the Freshwater Forum, will bring together water industry leaders, innovators, and changemakers for an evening of inspiration and collaboration. We'll highlight the momentum behind Chicago’s growing water innovation ecosystem, with a focus on the role of strategic industry partnerships in scaling bold water solutions. You can register here with the promo code FINALFRESH75 to get your ticket at no cost.
Participate in the 2025 Health & Hunger Illinois Regional Summit, hosted by Illinois SNAP-Education, and explore strategies to catalyze collaboration among local, public, and regional organizations to address food insecurity and health.
Earlier in the week, we’re partnering with the World Water Film Festival to screen How to Poison a Planet, an award-winning documentary that exposes the global impact of PFAS contamination. Free tickets are available here!
Following the screening, Alaina from our team will be moderating a solutions-focused panel featuring:
Rob Bilott, environmental attorney who first exposed PFAS contamination
Gary Douglas and Rebecca Newman, lead counsel in the 3M PFAS settlement
Dr. Junhong Chen, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory
Michael Strande, father of late activist Amara Strande, who is featured in the documentary
Mark Ruffalo (virtually), if his schedule allows. We hope to know this week if he’s able to participate!
Hosted by Oak Park Public Library:
Did you know that Chicago is a major flyway for over 200 species of migratory birds that fly from Central and South America to breed in the northern United States and Canada every year? This exhibit in the Main Library Idea Box celebrates the incredible migration paths these birds travel.
And, because bird populations have plunged due to habitat loss and human actions, this exhibit also spreads awareness of how we can protect these birds as they fly through our community in spring and fall.
Join an Illinois Solar for All: Bright Neighborhoods event to learn more about this limited-time initiative that allows residents in select Chicago West Side Neighborhoods, Waukegan, and the Carbondale-Marion area to save on electric bills!
The Bright Neighborhoods initiative helps income-eligible participants in selected communities save money on electric bills by installing solar panels with no upfront costs.
Act fast and sign up for Bright Neighborhoods by April 30, 2025. To get started, visit illinoisSFA.com/Bright.
alt_ [Alt Space Chicago] is marking its 5th anniversary with a grand opening event from April 25-27 at our new location, 5645 W Lake St [Corcoran Pl]. The event will showcase the organization's mission through three key pillars: art, community, and faith.
In August 2024, IL Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation requiring Illinois public schools to educate students on climate change starting in 2026. The law requires that students learn about the environmental and ecological impacts of climate change on individuals and communities while also studying solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change. After helping pass this legislation, Climate Education for Illinois, It’s Our Future and Seven Generations Ahead (SGA) sought out a partnership with the nonprofit SubjectToClimate (StC) to support teachers in implementing these updated educational requirements, beginning with the creation of an Illinois Climate Education Hub.
Hosted by Oak Park Public Library:
It's Earth Day! Celebrate by making something new from something old by repurposing recyclables. We'll provide a variety of art materials and recylables and we'll have ideas to help you get started!
For ages 4-11. Young children require adult supervision.
Do you enjoy crafting and giving back to the community? If so, please join us in this upcycled bird making workshop that will help contribute to raising awareness about bird collision deaths.
The birds made will be part of the Idea Box exhibit Crossing Paths: Migrating Birds and You, created by the Brooks Earth Action Team (BEAT) led by Laura Stamp. After their stay in the Idea Box (May 1-12), the birds will be mailed to artist Holly Greenberg to become part of her project to make 10,836 birds.
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.
See what your Oak Park neighbors are doing to power their homes cleaner, safer, cheaper, and greener! Check out heat pump HVAC and hot water systems, induction stoves, solar arrays, and more. Homeowners will be on hand to share their experience and answer your questions. Three different houses will be open on each of two days:
Sunday, March 9, 2-4pm
Sunday, April 6, 2-4pm
This event is free, but registration is required and space is limited! Presented by Oak Park Climate Action Network.
Bozho and welcome to Trickster Cultural Center's Intertribal Youth Council!
We are thrilled to have you participate in creating a special space where young people from our community can come together to celebrate their culture, learn from one another, and engage in meaningful activities.
This group is open to all youth ages 10 and up who are interested in exploring and celebrating Indigenous culture. We will be learning all about advocating, developing and implementing policies and services in outreach engagements, coalitions, and government in a range of self steered youth related issues. Bring your enthusiasm, your questions, and your spirit of adventure!
Hosted in partnership with One Earth Local, Climate Ready Community Outreach Oak Park (COOP), and the Village of Oak Park.
Join us for this Earth Month Community Kickoff event for all ages in alignment with Earth Day 2025’s theme of Our Power, Our Planet. Come to learn, play, and connect with community groups working in the sustainability space while enjoying local treats.
Registration is encouraged; walk-ins are welcome.
The Green Teacher Gathering on April 5 seeks to bolster the environmental and sustainability education movement in the Chicagoland area. Our mission is to expand participants’ knowledge through engaging workshops and networking opportunities. The theme for this year’s Gathering is Cultivating Connections with Nature which reflects our vision of a future where schools and communities are interconnected, sharing knowledge and resources for a sustainable tomorrow. Our aim is for attendees to feel empowered, motivated, and inspired.
A book club for anyone who wants to learn about degrowth. Join us for coffee, tea, and a discussion about the economic and social movement that might just change the world!
Degrowth is an economic and social movement that advocates for shrinking economies to reduce resource consumption and environmental impact.
Hosted By EcoShip:
Join us on Saturday, March 29th between 10am-3pm as we welcome Earth Month. We'll be hosting a neighborhood clean-up and 8 sustainable organizations and businesses based in Chicago who will be sharing their missions. Enjoy complimentary light bites and N/A beverages throughout the event and enter for a chance to win some goodies!
A book club for anyone who wants to learn about degrowth. Join us for coffee, tea, and a discussion about the economic and social movement that might just change the world!
Degrowth is an economic and social movement that advocates for shrinking economies to reduce resource consumption and environmental impact.
Join us at The Plant for this semiannual event that provides opportunities to repair clothing and household items, safely dispose of tricky-to-recycle materials, and donate bicycles, old sneakers, and more—all while bringing attention to strategies that redefine waste and improve environmental conditions!
Join Oak Park Climate Action Network, Seven Generations Ahead, Bike Walk Oak Park, and It's Our Future at a candidates forum for the Village of Oak Park Board and President; on March 10, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Community Recreation Center in Oak Park.
See what your Oak Park neighbors are doing to power their homes cleaner, safer, cheaper, and greener! Check out heat pump HVAC and hot water systems, induction stoves, solar arrays, and more. Homeowners will be on hand to share their experience and answer your questions. Three different houses will be open on each of two days:
Sunday, March 9, 2-4pm
Sunday, April 6, 2-4pm
This event is free, but registration is required and space is limited! Presented by Oak Park Climate Action Network.
On Sat., March 8: from 5-8:00 pm from the edges of the world, come explore polar photography and learn about conservation efforts at a community event to support Polar Bears International and honor International Women's Day with women leaders. Held at Aglaïa Coffee & Tea Co., 925 W. Chicago Ave. in Chicago with street parking or close public transportation.
What does it mean to imagine and implement climate justice? This interdisciplinary symposium is driven by the urgent need for a range of interventions and tools: critique, experimentation, imagination, pragmatics and policy. Bringing together thinkers from Europe and the U.S., speakers explore climate, energy, and infrastructure across networked urban and regional scales: from city to region to nation to planet. The symposium stages a conversation among scholars and practitioners who too rarely are in conversation, but have much to learn from each other.
What does it mean to imagine and implement climate justice? This interdisciplinary symposium is driven by the urgent need for a range of interventions and tools: critique, experimentation, imagination, pragmatics and policy. Bringing together thinkers from Europe and the U.S., speakers explore climate, energy, and infrastructure across networked urban and regional scales: from city to region to nation to planet. The symposium stages a conversation among scholars and practitioners who too rarely are in conversation, but have much to learn from each other.
Are you a homeowner? Join us to learn more about solar & other ways to save on your electric bill!
Income-eligible households may benefit from this program through the installation of solar panels on their property. Hear from homeowners who have gone solar with Illinois Solar for All.
Learn about free solar job training programs as well.
To register, please email mminic@citizensutilityboard.org or call 312-292-5847. Walk-ins are also welcome.
The event is on March 6th, 5:30-7 pm at Austin Town Hall Park.
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.
A book club for anyone who wants to learn about degrowth. Join us for coffee, tea, and a discussion about the economic and social movement that might just change the world!
Degrowth is an economic and social movement that advocates for shrinking economies to reduce resource consumption and environmental impact.
Research shows that people are more persuaded by personal stories (especially from young people) than by data.This year we will have a "Story Jam" with youth activists followed by a youth-led workshop where you can craft and share your climate story. Your story can be used to write Letters to the Editor, persuade elected officials or even family members!
Bozho and welcome to Trickster Cultural Center's Intertribal Youth Council!
We are thrilled to have you participate in creating a special space where young people from our community can come together to celebrate their culture, learn from one another, and engage in meaningful activities.
This group is open to all youth ages 10 and up who are interested in exploring and celebrating Indigenous culture. We will be learning all about advocating, developing and implementing policies and services in outreach engagements, coalitions, and government in a range of self steered youth related issues. Bring your enthusiasm, your questions, and your spirit of adventure!
