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Retrofit Chicago Residential Partnership Launches
The City of Chicago launched the third phase of Retrofit Chicago - the Residential Partnership. For owners of single-family homes and multi-unit buildings the program offers:
- Incentives - Home and building owners will have access to FREE energy efficient equipment, such as highly efficient light bulbs, faucet aerators, and showerheads, and over $22 million in rebates, low interest financing, and free energy audits for buildings.
- One-Stop-Shop - Owners can call one phone number (855-9-IMPACT) to learn about and apply for available programs and financing opportunities and find all program information in the energy section of the City's sustainability website: www.chicagosustainability.org.
- Acceleration - The partnership will accelerate the pace of retrofit work through a coordinated outreach campaign in targeted neighborhoods. These efforts will include joint community events, presentations to building owner and homeowner associations, informational house parties, and marketing with City programs.
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Street Space Turned to Community Space in Chicago's Sustainable Cultural Plan
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) released the DRAFT Chicago Cultural Plan 2012 which will bring cultural activities, public art, and people out into the streets of Chicago. DCASE has partnered with the Chicago Department of Transportation to revision underutilized street space by creating the Make Way for People initiative. The initiative aims to create public spaces that cultivate community and culture in Chicago's neighborhoods through placemaking.
"The draft cultural plan will chart a roadmap for Chicago's cultural and economic growth and serve as a guiding force to ensure Chicago remains a destination for creativity, innovation and the arts," said Mayor Emanuel.
The complete 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan is scheduled to be released in the fall of 2012. |
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Chicago Department of Transportation Recognized for Recycling Michigan Ave.
The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) awarded the  Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) with the "NAPA Environmental Leadership Award" for its innovative repaving of North Michigan Avenue.
Faced with a tight budget, a short construction timeline, and a crumbling roadway, CDOT worked with engineering and materials testing firm S.T.A.T.E. Testing to devise a stone-matrix asphalt (SMA) pavement mix that made use of recycled asphalt shingles, reclaimed asphalt pavement, and ground tire rubber. SMA pavements are built to hold up to heavy traffic, but including this level and combination of recycled materials in an SMA was a truly innovative idea that ended up creating a stronger pavement at a lower cost.
The asphalt pavement mix used rubber from 2,200 tires, discarded shingles from approximately 130 homes and 24 truckloads of reclaimed asphalt pavement.
"Most people aren't aware that the roads they drive on are increasingly being made with resource-responsible materials. Chicago deserves the Environmental Leadership Award for the way it put innovative thinking into practice on Michigan Avenue," said Mike Acott, president of NAPA. "Innovative engineering and creative thinking, as CDOT has demonstrated, help ensure that taxpayers get reliable roads at a cost-effective price and with a lower environmental impact."
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CDOT Protects Pedestrians
As part of an ongoing effort to increase pedestrian safety and reduce the number of crashes, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has begun installing signs at crosswalks that remind drivers of the state law that requires them to stop if pedestrians are in the crosswalk.
Chicago experiences roughly 3,000 crashes annually between motor vehicles and pedestrians, resulting in an average of 50 deaths each year."Even one life lost is too many, and we must take action to promote pedestrian safety in multiple ways. These warning signs help in that effort," said CDOT Commissioner Gabe Klein. "Education and enforcement are critical components to ensure that motorists understand their role and responsibility in public safety."
CDOT is currently installing the first 50 of these signs in neighborhoods across the city in places where pedestrians and vehicles can come into conflict, especially near schools, parks, hospitals and public transit. |
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PROGRAMS & OPPORTUNITIES
Chicago Conservation Corps (C3) Fall 2012 Environmental Leadership Training Series
The C3 is now recruiting for its Fall 2012 Environmental Leadership Training Series, which will be held on Wednesdays, from September 12 through October 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. During the training, you will learn from community and environmental leaders about urban environmental challenges and opportunities for change; then you will lead an environmental service project in your community.
To participate, you must be a Chicago resident and attend one orientation. Attend an orientation by contacting 773-755-5122 or via online form at www.naturemuseum.org/chicagoconservationcorps.
Fall Orientations Will Be Held On the Following Dates:
- Saturday, 8/25, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 N. Sacramento
- Monday, 8/27, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m., Chicago Dept. of Transportation, 30 N. LaSalle, Ste. 11
- Tuesday, 8/28, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m., Hyde Park Arts Center, 5020 S. Cornell
For more information, visit www.chicagoconservationcorps.org. |
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Solar Powerup! Day Camp Returns
Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT) announced that Solar Powerup! is returning to CCGT this August. Thanks to their new partner at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, with a grant from Motorola Solutions Foundation, they will once again host this fun day camp for kids.
Students are given instruction in photovoltaic technology,
automotive design, and model car construction. The workshops
culminate in a drag race tournament at the Peggy Notebaert
Nature Museum on Saturday, August 18. Camp session information follows. Visit www.naturemuseum.org to learn more.
Session I: Monday, August 6 - Friday, August 10
Session II: Monday, August 13 - Friday, August 17
Time: 8:30 a.m. to Noon |
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Park District Survey
The Chicago Park District wants to know more about how the people of Chicago use Chicago's parks. Please click the link below and follow it to a quick, 15-minute survey. By taking this survey, you will help the Park District better understand how the parks are used and assist them in serving you better. So please, take the survey and make Chicago a more fun place to live and play!
Click here to take the Chicago Park District survey
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8/25-8/26 - Nature Oasis: Family Camping/Jackson Park
Jackson Park, 6401 S. Stony Island Ave
Campout overnight with your family in a Chicago Park District park! Take a nature hike, go fishing, learn basic camping principles and enjoy a campfire. Sleeping bags, tents, food (dinner and breakfast) and security are provided.
Fee: $50 per family
Age Range: Families with kids 6 and up.
Parents must stay with child
Call (312) 742-4600 for more information |
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9/29 - Chicago Wilderness (CW) Corporate Council Day of Service
Join CW for its Corporate Council Day of Service scheduled for Saturday, September 29 at various sites throughout the Chicago region. Activities will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 8:00-11:00 a.m.; 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; or, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. To register, email dayofservice@chicagowilderness.org. For more information and a full list of volunteer sites, visit www.chicagowilderness.org.
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VOLUNTEER
Take action in your community by volunteering. Learn more at www.chicagoconservationcorps.org
Exotic Species Control at the Ambler Flatwoods Nature Preserve
8/11, 10am - 3pm
Ambler Flatwoods Nature Preserve
Contact: Jim Erdelac at (219) 879-4725 or volunteer@heinzetrust.org
Dan Ryan Woods Workday
8/11, 9am - 12pm
For more infromation visit Friends of the Forest Preserve
Contact: Benjamin Cox at benjamin@fotfp.org or (773) 398-1178
Garfield Park Conservatory
8/11, 9am - 12pm
Garfield Park Conservatory
Visit Chicago Cares for more information.
North Park Village Nature Center Workday
8/15, 9am - 12pm
5801 N. Pulaski Rd.
Contact: Bob at (312) 744-5472
Indiana Dunes Stewardship Day
8/18, 9am - 2pm
1215 N. State Road 49 in Porter, IN
Contact: TedWinterfeld@nps.gov or Nathan Pavlovic at (219) 879-3937
Jarvis Bird Sanctuary Volunteer Restoration Day
8/18, 9am - 2pm
Jarvis Bird Santuary, Addison E of Lakeshore Dr.
Questions or directions contact (773) 327-5053
Schiller Woods Restoration Day
8/26, 9am - 2pm
From Irving Park Road west of Cumberland Avenue, enter at the Forest Preseve sign that says "Grove 8" on the north side of the street. Follow the signs to Grove 8
Contact Cathy Bloome at (847) 455-4405 or catbloome@sbcglobal.net
Dunning Read Conservation Area Stewardship Morning
8/30, 9:30am - 12:30pm
4200 N. Oak Park Ave.
RSVP: sullivanme@fotp.org |
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GREEN TECH U
Sign up for a free seminar and learn about green building, design, landscaping, and more at Green Tech U, a program of the Chicago Center for Green Technology. Novices and professionals alike are welcome.
8/9 Tips, Tricks and Tracking: Take Control of Your Energy Bills and Save a Bundle, 6pm - 8pm, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd.
8/11 Collecting and Storing Honeybee Products, 10am -12p, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd.
8/14 Bed Bug Control Through Proper Building Management, 6pm - 8pm, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd.
8/15 Natural Skincare 101: Oils, Scrubs, and Masks, 6:30pm-8pm, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive
8/16 Solar Water Heating - High Proformance Systems Designs, 6pm - 8pm, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd.
8/16 Bringing Nature Home, 12:30pm-2:30pm, Fifth Floor Millennium Park Room, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.
8/18 Biorational and Biological Pesticides, 10am - 12pm, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd.
8/18 Ecology of Design Part II: Method and Application, 1pm - 3pm, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd.
For full course listings, descriptions and registration information, visit the Chicago Center for Green Technology's website.
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