Local Environmental Groups

Audubon Chicago Region

www.habitatproject.org
With 200,000 acres of conservation land, the Chicago metropolitan area encompasses many of the finest and largest tracts of native tallgrass prairie, oak savanna, woodland and wetland left in the Midwest. Audubon Chicago Region saves wildlife and habitat, and to keep it safe permanently we are hard at work creating a local culture of conservation. Though a small staff is ready to step in where necessary, most of Audubon's work is done by hundreds of volunteers. They include citizen scientists, land stewards, advocates, and more. Everyone is invited to help out.

Business Alliance for a Sustainable Evanston (BASE)

www.baseevanston.org
The Business Alliance for a Sustainable Evanston (BASE) is a coalition of Evanston businesses and non-profits to make our community more sustainable through greener products, practices and awareness. By sharing individual experiences and green practices used in our business and personal lives, BASE aims to unite Evanston on a mission of greening our community.

Center for Neighborhood Technology

www.cnt.org
The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) has been a leader in urban sustainable development since 1978. As a creative think-and-do-tank, we research, invent, and test strategies that use resources more efficiently and more equitably. CNT takes a solution-oriented approach that reflects a commitment to communities and nature. We use broad-based education and coalition building, public policy advocacy, creation of tools for transparency and accountability in public and private markets, and on-the-ground implementation of urban programs. Our work includes: transportation and community development, natural resources, energy, and climate. All of our work is focused on simultaneously improving the environment, strengthening the economy, and advancing community assets.CNT takes a solution-oriented approach that reflects a commitment to communities and nature. We use broad-based education and coalition building, public policy advocacy, creation of tools for transparency and accountability in public and private markets, and on-the-ground implementation of urban programs. Our work includes: transportation and community development, natural resources, energy, and climate. All of our work is focused on simultaneously improving the environment, strengthening the economy, and advancing community assets.

ChicagoREgen

chicagoregen.com
ChicagoREgen.com is our way of helping accelerate the local sustainability efforts. Our name highlights our goal of becoming more then sustainable, but regenerative in the way we live. Our Mission: Furthering local resilience, improving awareness to the consequences of our actions, personal responsibility to those consequences and becoming regenerative in Chicago as a model for other urban centers.

City of Evanston Environmental Board

www.cityofevanston.org/government/boards-commissions/environment-board
According to our enabling legislation [(36-0-71)(23-0-93)], the purpose of the Environment Board is to investigate activities that affect the environment, including but not limited to: air pollution, waste, water, noise pollution, and pesticides and to develop policy recommendations on environmental issues for submission to the City Council. At a strategic planning session in August 2009, we further refined that mission to specifically support the implementation of the Evanston Climate Action Plan through research, public awareness, and policy recommendations as well as through coordination with other groups' efforts.

City of Evanston Green Ribbon Committee

www.cityofevanston.org/news/2010/08/newly-formed-evanston-green-ribbon-committee-tackles-climate-change
The Evanston Green Ribbon Committee is made up of the seven largest employers in Evanston with goal of supporting the city's efforts to curb local impacts to climate change. The committee is comprised of representatives from the City of Evanston, Northwestern University, NorthShore Evanston Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, School District 65, School District 202 Evanston Township High School (ETHS) and Rotary International. The Evanston Green Ribbon Committee works collaboratively on various strategies outlined in the Evanston Climate Action Plan.

City of Evanston Sustainability Office

ww.cityofevanston.org/environmental-sustainability
The Evanston Office of Sustainability works with residents, businesses, City departments, regional, state and national partners to develop and implement policies and initiatives that strengthen the environmental and economic sustainability of Evanston. The Office of Sustainability was created in May 2007, shortly after the City's Strategic Plan identified environmental sustainability as one of three guiding values for Evanston. Focus areas for the Office include climate change, energy and buildings, transportation and air quality, waste reduction and recycling and land and water.

Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW) - Northwestern University

esw.mccormick.northwestern.edu
Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW) mobilizes engineers through education, training, and practical action, building collaborative partnerships to meet the needs of current and future generations. ESW-NU builds leaders in sustainability by: educating ourselves, educating our community, committing to action oriented projects. Through this model we have not only advanced sustainability on our campus and around the world, but we have inspired several of Northwestern students to go on to careers in industry, policy, and organizations promoting sustainability.

Environmental Campus Outreach (ECO) - Northwestern University

www.ecohillel.com
Environmental Campus Outreach is a student-conceived and student-operated organization that runs out of Northwestern's Fiedler Hillel Center. ECO's members are dedicated to bringing a deep spiritual and intellectual commitment to improve sustainability on campus. ECO is open to students of all backgrounds, and meets Sundays at 2 PM at Hillel.

ETHS Edible Acre Pilot Project

www.thetalkingfarm.org
The Evanston Township High School Edible Acre Pilot Project is a school garden with 24 raised beds located on a lot across the street from the high school. It was designed in partnership with The Talking Farm to enhance student understanding of all aspects of organic food production. Horticulture students are responsible for the maintenance of the garden during the school year and we employ youth to work in the garden during the summer months. Food grown in the garden is prepared and served in the ETHS cafeterias, donated to soup kitchens, or sold at a farmers market. Classes that have visited and/or contributed to the garden include: Health/PE, Culinary Arts, Geometry, Manufacturing, Graphic Arts, Digital Photography, Senior Studies, and Community Service.

ETHS Green Team

www.greenteameths.com
Green Team is Evanston Township High School's student organization focusing on environmental issues. It is a great place to meet new people, have a fun time, and make a difference in your school. Green Team sponsors several events during the year that help make our high school a greener place to learn.

Evanston Backyard Chicken Committee

Evanston Backyard Chicken Committee is a group of local citizens who are interested in keeping backyard chickens as a source for eggs.

Evanston Ecology Center/Ladd Arboretum

www.cityofevanston.org/parks-recreation/ecology-center
The Evanston Ecology Center is City of Evanston facility built in 1974. The center serves as the educational nucleus of the Ladd Arboretum, situated along the shores of the North Shore Channel. The Ecology Center strives to foster a greater appreciation, awareness and knowledge of the natural environment and our interdependence with it. Programs, classes, and services of the Ecology Center range from introductory natural history classes to sensory awareness for children and beginning naturalists.

Evanston Environmental Association

evanstonenvironment.org
www.cityofevanston.org/parks-recreation/ecology-center
The Evanston Environmental Association, formed in 1976, is a community-centered, not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to promoting conservation and preserving natural resources through education in Evanston and throughout the North Shore. Our objectives include fostering appreciation of natural resources and advancing prudent utilization of those resources in an urban environment. In pursuit of these objectives, the EEA promotes and demonstrates environmental awareness, serving people of all ages in cooperation with complementary groups and community agencies. The Ladd Arboretum and Ecology Center are the focal point of these activities, along with Lighthouse Landing; the Center is the home of the EEA.

Evanston Food Policy Council

www.thetalkingfarm.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78&Itemid=95
A grassroots group working to ensure everyone's access to a safe and diverse regional food supply and to foster awareness of healthy food choices. We advocate sustainable agricultural policies, support organic growing practices, and promote active urban-rural connections through our local food system. We have no formal structure or regular meetings. We respond to any like-minded initiatives in Evanston, northern Cook County, Chicago metro-area, Illinois, the Midwest, nationally. We specialize in public policy and civic engagement in building sustainable healthy farm and food systems that work for everyone, at every meal.

Evanston Interreligious Sustainability Circle

The Evanston Interreligious Sustainabilitiy Circle was founded in 1999 by members of diverse religious congregations as an expression of their Care of Creation with a commitment to make Evanston a more sustainable place. The Circle has sparked the formation of seven other sustainability groups. The Circle meets monthly an the second Sunday from 3-5 at the Friends Meeting House, 1010 Greenleaf. The Circle supports the greening of individual congregations and sponsors various community-wide events. Participation is welcomed.

Evanston North Shore Bird Club

www.ensbc.org
The Evanston North Shore Bird Club, founded in 1919, is an organization devoted to wild birds and their habitats. It is committeed to sharing this devotion with anyone interested in the natural world.

G.R.E.E.N. House - Northwestern University

www.northwestern.edu/studentaffairs/sustainability/getting-involved/green-student-groups/green-house.html
Group Residence for Environmental Engagement at Northwestern (GREEN House) is an environmentally - themed residence hall at Northwestern University. Its mission is to extend classroom-learning to living-learning in a way that will engender exploration, discovery, and critical thinking about environmental problems so as to inspire future leaders to act in ways that will protect and sustain our planet.

Global Engagement Summit - Northwestern University

theges.org
The Global Engagement Summit (GES) is a training conference for students committed to global change. At GES, students learn from workshops led by leaders in the social change sector, network with like-minded peers from across the world, and develop the skills necessary to implement change-based projects. By connecting driven students with innovative thought leaders, GES strives to train students to cross borders and partner with new communities to produce responsible solutions to shared global problems.

Go Green Wilmette

www.gogreenwilmette.org
Go Green Wilmette is a not-for profit organization dedicated to raising environmental awareness in the community and inspiring residents to take action to make Wilmette a more earth-friendly place to live. Our activities include: book discussions, film showings, and Green Teas focused on important environmental topics; community service (park planting and restoration); school garden programs; activities in conjunction with 350.org, Sierra Club, Audubon Society, Wilmette Bike Task Force, and others; advocacy for village ordinances (leaf blower restrictions, no idling, formation of the Wilmette Environmental & Energy Commission); development and distribution of a recycling guide; field trips; and our annual Going Green Matters Environmental Fair.

Green Cup - Northwestern University

www.facebook.com/pages/Green-Cup-2010/270744743498
Green Cup is a competition among Northwestern dorms, fraternities, and sororities to conserve the most energy and water. Prizes are awarded to the winning dorms with and without dining halls, and top sorority and fraternity. Green Cup takes place during the month of February. Weekly events offer entertainment, giveaways, and green living tips that will help participants win the competition. Smaller events, such as firesides and themed dinners, will offer opportunities to learn about conservation practices and how they contribute to the bigger picture. Scoring for Green Cup is based entirely on reduction of water and electricity utilities.

I-Go Car Sharing

www.igocars.org
I-GO, Chicagoland's local, non-profit, car sharing company, has a fleet of low-emission vehicles (EV's are coming in 2011!!!) available by the hour with locations all over Evanston and beyond. Members can reserve a car online, on their smartphone, or by calling I-GO's 24 hour Member Services Department. Rates start at low as $6.75 an hour and include gas and insurance (rates vary by driving plan, day of the week and car type; tax is extra). Join now for only $25 and receive $25 in free driving (a total of $75 in savings ). To get your discount just go to www.igocars.org, click on JOIN TODAY and use the promotion code CGEVAN25. If you're already a member, share this with someone that you know. If they join and enter your name in the referral field, you get $20 in free driving!

Initiative for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern (ISEN) - Northwestern University

www.isen.northwestern.edu
The Initiative for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern (ISEN) was established in 2008 as an umbrella organization whose mission on behalf of the University is to catalyze new science, technology, learning and policy for sustainability and energy. ISEN meets these challenges through interdisciplinary and transformational education and research coupled and local and global outreach.

Keep Evanston Beautiful

www.evanstonkeb.org
Keep Evanston Beautiful, Inc. was certified by Keep America Beautiful and chartered by the City of Evanston in 1986 as a not for profit, volunteer, non-partisan group of citizens representing government, business and the community. Due to efforts by Keep Evanston Beautiful, curbside recycling was adopted in 1988 as a citywide service. In our 25 years we have established the School Garden Programs, the Green Schools Initiative, D65 Earth Day Contest, our annual Garden Walk, and our Adopt-A-Spot programs. We have become a resource center for Evanston residents on issues surrounding recycling, and for our elementary schools as well.

Kellogg Environmentally Sustainable Business Club - Northwestern University

kellogg.campusgroups.com/esbc/home
A student Club at the Kellogg School of Management, the Environmentally Sustainable Business Club (ESBC) seeks to increase the Kellogg community's awareness of environmentally sustainable opportunities and careers in business and to continually encourage, implement, and improve environmentally sustainable practices at Kellogg.

League of Women Voters of Evanston

www.lwve.org
The League of Women Voters of Evanston is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The Evanston League sponsors candidate debates, presents educational programs about current governmental issues, registers voters, and takes action on issues studied by League members. It is part of a grassroots organization working at the local, state, and national levels. A current action priority is global climate change, and the League has produced a Toolkit for Climate Action to support efforts to protect our planet.

Northwestern Sustainability Fund - Northwestern University

northwesternsustainabilityfund.com
The goal of the Northwestern Sustainability Fund (NSF) is to provide a source of capital for on-campus, student-led projects that decrease the university's carbon footprint. It functions to help Northwestern better its relationship with the environment while engaging students, staff, and faculty and connecting alumni to campus activities. The NSF has already funded a retrofit project in the Norris University Center and a solar array project for the roof of the Ford Design Institute. Recently the NSF has partnered with a student group developing a clean energy plan for Northwestern to help the university run on 100% renewable energy.

Roosevelt Institute - Northwestern University

www.rooseveltcampusnetwork.org/chapter/northwestern-university
The Roosevelt Institute Campus Network is a non-profit, non-partisan national network of campus-based student think tanks. Its members conduct policy research on the pressing political issues facing our world, from environmental protection to equality under the law to trade and taxes. Roosevelt connects the fruits of that research to the policy process, delivering sound, progressive proposals to policymakers and advocacy groups at all levels of government as it organizes, trains, and empowers the next generation of progressive leaders. In particular, the Center for Energy and the Environment as part of the Northwestern Chapter of the Roosevelt Institute strives to work on campus and in the local community to craft and implement policies promoting sustainability and environmental consciousness.

Sierra Club (Chicago Group)

www.illinois.sierraclub.org/chicago/index.html
The Chicago Group is the local representative of the Sierra Club, a nationwide environmental organization with 1.4 million members. Our group has 8,000 members in a territory stretching from Wilmette to Indiana. Chicago Group works on environmental issues such as clean air, clean energy, habitat restoration and Great Lakes issues. We are active in environmental politics, including election endorsements for good environmental candidates at all levels of government and lobby regularly on local, state and national conservation issues. Sierra Club also offers a very active outings program, including hiking, biking, backpacking and more. Volunteers are always welcome.

Solar Car Team - Northwestern University

nusolar.org
We are an undergraduate student organization at Northwestern University dedicated to enhancing the education of our members, supporting alternative energy though outreach events, and participating in solar car design competitions such as the North American Solar Challenge. Basically we design, build and race solar cars. The point is so that we have an opportunity to do real engineering while in school, and to show other people what solar power and electric cars are capable of.

Students for Ecological and Environmental Development (SEED) - Northwestern University

groups.northwestern.edu/seed
SEED's mission is to pioneer, teach, and model environmental stewardship so as to inspire our future leaders to act in ways that protect and sustain our planet. SEED works to affect the state of the environment and to support progressive environmental movements at Northwestern University. Through event programming, service, and advocacy, SEED seeks to engage the entire Northwestern and Evanston communities to further sustainability.

Talking Farm, The

www.thetalkingfarm.org
The Talking Farm is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to cultivate healthy, sustainable communities by supporting the production and appreciation of locally grown food. Our vision includes both a physical space to grow food for sale to the community, as well as the educational and knowledge-sharing activities that emerge from the operations of an urban, organic farm dedicated to establishing sustainable food security for the Evanston/Skokie community. Local agricultural programs are thriving in many cities all over the country--indeed, all over the world--because they offer enormous benefits to the local economy, the environment, and the health of our citizens.

Wild Roots - Northwestern University

nuwildroots.wordpress.com
Wild Roots is a student-directed garden which grows fresh produce for the Northwestern and Evanston communities using sustainable practices. Wild Roots serves the evolving educational and social needs of the Northwestern community by inspiring students to think critically about the food we eat and by starting conversations about sustainability, social justice, and our food system.