It’s easy to get discouraged by anti-environment action happening on the federal level…but our state government is actually making a lot of progress in growing our Illinois clean energy industry, protecting our state wildlife, shaping our expanding local food industry and much more. Here in Illinois, there’s actually a lot to feel hopeful about. You can get a snapshot of legislative action in a newly published 2017 Environmental Scorecard, which evaluates individual Illinois state legislators on their environmental voting records. The Scorecard is created by the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC), a non-partisan organization promoting sound policies and environmental laws in Springfield.
Science and the Future of Food
How will we feed the world amid climate change? And what can we do about the rise in food allergies? Three scientists will address these issues at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 20, at Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Ave, in Argonne. This event is free and open to the public. A reception will begin at 6 p.m. Register here.
Add Green to Your Block Party
Free Sustainable Food Class for High School Students
A free sustainable food class for high school students will run throughout the summer from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays from June 8 to July 27, at Triton College in River Grove. Faculty and community gardeners from Triton's Horticulture/Sustainable Agriculture department will teach the class by utilizing a new greenhouse and garden on the east side of 5th Avenue.
How to Make Friends and Influence People in an Age of Climate Change
How many neighbors do you know? If you're the average American, maybe not too many. Recent studies have shown that loneliness is on the rise across the country. A 2014 study showed that more than 1 in 4 Americans have no one to talk to when they feel sad, or even when they feel happy.
Sugar Beet: from Red to Black in Less Than a Year
Sugar Beet Food Co-op’s first birthday party, dubbed “Kale Yeah,” will take place the weekend of July 30-31, with tastings, raffles, giveaways, games, and more from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., at 812 W. Madison St., in Oak Park.
Recently, we talked with General Manager, Chris Roland, to get a reading on the downs and ups of this small grocery store’s first year selling local, sustainable food.
Free Screening of 'Food Choices'
Celebrate Earth Day with Us
We invite you to continue the One Earth Film Festival fun and celebrate Earth Day with us by watching the award-winning film, "Growing Cities" on Friday, April 22, at Chicago's official Earth Day celebration in two locations. This 60-minute film is friendly for all ages.
Karen's Garden Provides Space to Grow
On April 2, to mark the beginning of the season, the Oak Park Area Edible Gardening Cooperative will launch a unique community garden project dubbed “Karen’s Garden.” Oak Park resident Allen Green has graciously made his yard available to members of the Cooperative as a shared space for growing food and creating native habitat, at 213 Thomas St., in Oak Park.