Filtering by: Sustainability
PlanItGreen Leadership Forum
Dec
11
3:30 PM15:30

PlanItGreen Leadership Forum

Are you passionate about building a greener, healthier community in Oak Park, River Forest, and beyond? Then we invite you to the upcoming PlanItGreen Leadership Forum on December 11th, 2025.

Through PlanItGreen, we’ve already helped reduce 35,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually, created 300+ native gardens, and launched 100+ local sustainability projects but our work is far from done.

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The Free Community Pop Up Thrift Boutique
Dec
13
12:00 PM12:00

The Free Community Pop Up Thrift Boutique

  • Oak Park Public Library: Main Library Veterans Room (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Boutique-style shopping at no cost—we know it sounds too good to be true, but we promise it is! Come shop and/or donate. We're offering and accepting gently used clothing and accessories for all genders, ages, and sizes, free of charge! Donations are not required.


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Winter Sowing for Native Seeds: All Ages Program
Jan
14
4:30 PM16:30

Winter Sowing for Native Seeds: All Ages Program

  • Oak Park Public Library: Main Library Lobby Community Space (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Winter sowing is an easy method of starting seeds outdoors during the winter in recycled containers, like plastic jugs, to help germinate seeds and works especially for native plants. Thanks to a generous donation of native seeds from University of Illinois Extension, everyone will be able to start their own native plant greenhouse.

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VIRTUAL: Inviting Nature Home to Your Backyard: an inspirational story of one community eco-garden
Jan
28
6:30 PM18:30

VIRTUAL: Inviting Nature Home to Your Backyard: an inspirational story of one community eco-garden

Join us for this virtual presentation by Dennis Swiftdeer Paige to hear the story of how one residential association in Chicagoland transformed their lawn into a stunning collection of prairie, woodland, and wetland wildflowers, sedges, grasses, and rain gardens that flourished through all four seasons. Learn how you can get started in reshaping your own native eco-friendly landscape while enhancing not only beauty but also biodiversity and environmental health.

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Giving Tuesday
Dec
2
9:30 AM09:30

Giving Tuesday

We share our one Earth. We celebrate 15 years of community. And your action today helps lift every voice in the fight for a just and livable planet. 

Help Us Build on 15 Years of Success:

  • We’ve engaged 49,000+ attendees in meaningful climate action

  • We partner with 300+ organizations across Chicagoland and beyond

  • We make complex environmental issues accessible, urgent, and personal

  • 95% of participants report being inspired to take action

Your Support is Needed to Sustain Just, Impactful Climate Action. 

  • $750 enables film festival screenings in underserved communities that are most disproportionately affected by climate impacts 

  • $250 helps bring filmmakers, environmental experts, and climate activists to be in dialogue and action with audiences and the community

  • $100 supports the development of young environmental justice leaders 

$50 helps us grow the collective by providing resources for climate coalition convenings

Help us meet our $5,000 Giving Tuesday goal. Your gift supports our One Earth, the next 15 years, and even more voices for climate action.

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Earth Lounge: An Environmental Book Discussion: "We are the Middle of Forever"
Nov
19
6:00 PM18:00

Earth Lounge: An Environmental Book Discussion: "We are the Middle of Forever"

  • Oak Park Public Library: Main Library Small Meeting Room (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Explore the curiosities and complexities of nature, environmentalism, and sustainability through fiction and nonfiction literature on the third Wednesday of every other month. Learn more about library-led book discussions »

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Recycling: Back to Basics with LRS
Nov
13
6:30 PM18:30

Recycling: Back to Basics with LRS

  • Oak Park Public Library: Maze Branch Library (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Confused about what kind of plastic can get recycled? Or what size/type of paper is acceptable? And how about greasy cardboard? Join LRS Sustainability Director Joy Rifkin for a behind-the-scenes look at LRS recycling and get these and more of your questions answered so you can feel more confident and informed the next time you head to your recycling bin.

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Oaktober and Beyond: a Tree Talk and Stroll
Oct
24
4:00 PM16:00

Oaktober and Beyond: a Tree Talk and Stroll

  • Oak Park Public Library: Main Library Lobby Community Space (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Oak Park Public Library and Trinity Pierce invite you for an afternoon hour of tree appreciation. We’ll learn more about the trees in our neighborhood, the economic, environmental and health benefits of trees, ways to support green spaces all the while caring for our well-being as we listen and then stroll outside nearby Scoville Park, home to a diverse collection of trees. 

Trinity Pierce is the Senior Stewardship Manager at The Morton Arboretum for the Chicago Region Trees Initiative. She collaborates with community organizations and members to increase awareness and foster action through plantings and ongoing care in order to grow a more diverse, more abundant, and more equitably distributed urban forest. A Certified Arborist, she holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan with a background in history, ecological restoration, and urban green space reconciliation.

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WEJA: October 2025 Meeting
Oct
22
6:00 PM18:00

WEJA: October 2025 Meeting

WEJA (Westside Environmental Justice Alliance) is a group for people who live, work, volunteer, study, and worship on Chicago’s Westside (roughly Ashland to Austin) to come together over our mutual interests of improving the air, water, soil, and health of Westsiders.

WEJA is a partnership with One Earth Collective, 290 IPO, and – so far 72 other Westside activists, community-based organizations, and residents.

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The Volunteer Fair
Oct
19
12:00 PM12:00

The Volunteer Fair

  • Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Volunteer Fair is back this fall with even more opportunities to do impactful work in Chicago. No matter what interests and expertise you bring, there's an opportunity for everyone!

Whether you're passionate about protecting the environment, mentoring youth, or advancing social justice, there's a group that needs you! The Volunteer Fair brings together inspiring organizations making our city better and passionate people ready to get involved. Come to make a difference, leave feeling inspired—find your thing!

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Reuse-a-Palooza at The Plant: Halloween 2025
Oct
19
11:00 AM11:00

Reuse-a-Palooza at The Plant: Halloween 2025

This semiannual event provides opportunities to repair clothing and household items, safely dispose tricky-to-recycle items, and donate bicycles, clothing, and more, all the while bringing attention to strategies to reduce waste and improve environmental conditions. We’ll be joined by an amazing group of waste-reduction and repurposing enthusiasts focusing on economically, environmentally, and socially responsible approaches to purchasing and consumption.

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Children's Halloween Costume Swap
Oct
3
10:00 AM10:00

Children's Halloween Costume Swap

  • Oak Park Public Library: Main Library Storytime Room (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Looking for Halloween costumes for children ages 0-11?

"Shop" the free swap—even if you don't have a costume to swap:

  • Wednesday, October 1, 10 am-12 pm & 3:30-5:30 pm

  • Friday, October 3, 10 am-12 pm & 3:30-5:30 pm

Have a costume to donate to the swap? 

September 24-November 5: 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

Any remaining costumes will be available for browsing in the Children's Services Area Storytime Room after the event.

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Children's Halloween Costume Swap Oct 1st
Oct
1
10:00 AM10:00

Children's Halloween Costume Swap Oct 1st

  • Oak Park Public Library: Main Library Storytime Room (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Looking for Halloween costumes for children ages 0-11?

"Shop" the free swap—even if you don't have a costume to swap:

  • Wednesday, October 1, 10 am-12 pm & 3:30-5:30 pm

  • Friday, October 3, 10 am-12 pm & 3:30-5:30 pm

Have a costume to donate to the swap? 

September 24-November 5: 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

Any remaining costumes will be available for browsing in the Children's Services Area Storytime Room after the event.

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Sustainability Market
Sep
28
10:00 AM10:00

Sustainability Market

Join Reduce Waste Chicago for our fourth annual Sustainability Market! Discover eco-focused local small businesses, artists and organizations dedicated to helping us all live more sustainably. Drop off items for reuse, repurposing and recycling with five collection organizations. Connect with and create community in a shared mission to reduce waste in our homes and our communities. See you there!

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Sun Day Solar Fest: Community Solar Webinar
Sep
21
3:00 PM15:00

Sun Day Solar Fest: Community Solar Webinar

On "Sun Day," Sunday, Sept. 21, 3-4pm, Oak Park Climate Action Network presents a free webinar all about COMMUNITY SOLAR. Learn how anyone with an electricity account can subscribe for a share in a solar "farm" and save money on their energy costs. Presenters include Grace Concialdi of Citizens Utility Board and Art Spooner, Oak Park condo owner and community solar subscriber, followed by Q&A. It's free but registration is required. A recording of the webinar will be available later at https://opcan.org. Questions to wgreenhouse@gmail.com.

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Sun Day Solar Fest
Sep
21
12:00 PM12:00

Sun Day Solar Fest

Sun Day--a nationwide celebration of clean energy progress— gives each of us a chance to stand up for the solar and wind power that's making our communities healthier, quieter, and more affordable.

In Chicago, the Sun Day Solar Fest will be September 21st from Noon - 4PM at Montrose Beach (adjacent to the dog park) at 610 W Lawrence, Chicago, IL 60613 US. 

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Earth Lounge: An Environmental Book Discussion: "How far the light reaches: a life in ten sea creatures"
Sep
17
6:00 PM18:00

Earth Lounge: An Environmental Book Discussion: "How far the light reaches: a life in ten sea creatures"

  • Oak Park Public Library: Main Library Small Meeting Room (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Explore the curiosities and complexities of nature, environmentalism, and sustainability through fiction and nonfiction literature on the third Wednesday of every other month. Learn more about library-led book discussions »

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Chicago Climate Connect
Aug
20
6:00 PM18:00

Chicago Climate Connect

Join Chicago Climate Connect for an evening of connection and conversation with Manuela Zoninsein, Founder & CEO of Kadeya, as we explore how reuse infrastructure can drive meaningful systems change.

From her work advancing closed-loop beverage solutions to her advocacy around Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy in Illinois, Manuela brings a sharp perspective on what it takes to shift industries toward circularity.

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WEJA: August 2025 Meeting
Aug
19
6:00 PM18:00

WEJA: August 2025 Meeting

  • Garfield Park Conservatory (Glass Dome) (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

WEJA (Westside Environmental Justice Alliance) is a group for people who live, work, volunteer, study, and worship on Chicago’s Westside (roughly Ashland to Austin) to come together over our mutual interests of improving the air, water, soil, and health of Westsiders.

WEJA is a partnership with One Earth Collective, 290 IPO, and – so far 72 other Westside activists, community-based organizations, and residents.

Please RSVP by 5PM Thurs, Aug 14, 2025

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2025 Solar Farm Summit
Aug
4
to Aug 7

2025 Solar Farm Summit

  • McCormick Place Lakeside Center, East Building (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

2025 Solar Farm Summit aims to elevate the solar energy + agriculture renaissance to the next level August 4-7 in a new location on Chicago’s magnificent lakeshore: McCormick Place!

The 2025 Solar Farm Summit (SFS25) is set to return to Chicago this summer in a new location for another deeply enriching and difference-making experience. Join us along Chicago’s magnificent lakeshore August 4-7 at McCormick Place to plug into the next evolution of the solar energy + agriculture revolution during the 3rd edition of North America’s Agrivoltiacs Expo, the continent’s 1st dedicated dual-use development conference and agrivoltaics exhibition, brought to you again by returning title sponsor—American Farmland Trust.

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Earth Lounge: An Environmental Book Discussion: "Walkaway"
Jul
16
6:00 PM18:00

Earth Lounge: An Environmental Book Discussion: "Walkaway"

  • Oak Park Public Library: Main Library Small Meeting Room (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

In Walkaway by Cory Doctorow, Hubert, Seth, and their ultra-rich heiress friend Natalie are getting a little old to hang out at the "Communist parties, " techno-raveups in abandoned industrial spaces, full of insta-printed drugs and toys. And Natalie was finished, years ago, with her overcontrolling zillionaire dad. And now that anyone can manufacture food, clothing, shelter with equipment comparable to a computer printer, there seems to be little reason to stick with the world of rules and jobs.

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Storytime & Touch a Recycling Truck!
Jul
14
10:00 AM10:00

Storytime & Touch a Recycling Truck!

  • Oak Park Public Library: Maze Branch Library (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Storytime and a recycling truck! Participate in fun storytime activities while learning about recycling. Then, get a tour of a Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) truck from a real-life driver and a copy of the LRS book The Big Sort: Aluminum Adventure With Fran the Can to take home.

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Upcycled Filament Workshop: Collage By Number
Jul
10
6:00 PM18:00

Upcycled Filament Workshop: Collage By Number

  • Oak Park Public Library: Main Library Creative Studio (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Unwind and create while collaging with the leftover multi-colored and many-shaped filament scraps we’ve been collecting from 3D printer projects. Choose from one of four collage-by-number templates made by library staff (printed on reused paper and glued to packaging cardboard), or create your own freeform masterpiece using the filament scraps and hot glue.

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Red, White, & Blue Nature Walk
Jul
6
10:30 AM10:30

Red, White, & Blue Nature Walk

  • Trailside Museum of Natural History (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Get outside and enjoy a festive nature walk to kick off your 4th of July celebrations early! Wear your patriotic colors and explore the trails with us — fun for all ages!

🎉 FREE family-friendly event

🌳 Explore local wildlife & plants

📸 Great photo ops in the preserves!

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WEJA: June 2025 Meeting
Jun
17
6:00 PM18:00

WEJA: June 2025 Meeting

  • Garfield Park Conservatory (Glass Dome) (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Hello Westsiders!

WEJA (Westside Environmental Justice Alliance) is a group for people who live, work, volunteer, study, and worship on Chicago’s Westside (roughly Ashland to Austin) to come together over our mutual interests of improving the air, water, soil, and health of Westsiders.

View Event →