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.

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 »

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Learn how to build your own plant terrarium. Take home your own green ecosystem and watch it grow. Supplies provided.

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.

Learn how to build your own plant terrarium. Take home your own green ecosystem and watch it grow. Supplies provided.

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!

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.

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. 

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 »

Explore the beauty of our natural landscapes using natural fibers. Supplies provided.

Improve native wildlife habitat by removing invasive species. Equipment and tools provided. Ages 15 & under w/ adult.

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.

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

Join us for a litter clean up and give back to the community. Grove 13.

With natural materials and drawings, use the sun to make a one-of-a-kind print. Supplies provided.

Hosted at Swallow Cliff Woods Pavilion, learn how to make your paper with recycled materials. Supplies provided.

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.

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.

Discover how plants and people play a role in protecting and restoring native habitats. Perfect for nature lovers, students, and anyone curious about conservation!

🧤 Free & family-friendly
🌾 Explore native plants and habitats

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.

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!

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.

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.