Hello EEC friends, community members, and environmental stewards! This newsletter includes our July meeting summary and August meeting agenda as well as upcoming events and new happenings! In the last month, we welcomed our new intern, Katherine! And Rachel's internship ended. Say hi to Katherine by reading her welcome blog post here and read Rachel’s Swan Song as an Intern in her blog post here. In our July meeting, we heard an update on our Community Air Research Experience with Tania from Loyola, signed on to the Divest the State of Illinois from Fossil Fuels Campaign, and discussed some natural Area Issues with the South Shore Nature Center & Montrose Beach Natural Are, plus the recent tragic strings of deaths on our streets. Follow our example and take action yourself by following the links for actions. For our August monthly meeting, we'll be hearing from the Vote Yes for Clean Air, Clean Water, and Wildlife campaign of which we are a member, plus hear updates and continue work on our ongoing campaigns on community resiliency, composting, and 2-stroke engines. We look forward to seeing you soon! Our monthly meetings take place at 6:30 PM every second Thursday of the month, they are all posted on Upcoming Events. Our next meeting will take place on 8/11. Conference Information Meeting ID: 829 1770 2982 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82917702982 +13126266799,,82917702982# US
Passcode for Recording: bgf5$*Sw
New Openlands Treekeepers Tree Planting in Edgewater
As a fall 2022 recipient of an Openlands TreePlanters grant, we're once again collecting candidate locations for the new trees in the neighborhood! For this initiative, EEC provides direction and community organizing. Openlands provides education, event day organization, supplies, expertise, and quality control. On planting day, the Openlands Forestry Crew and certified TreeKeepers will provide tools, trees, mulch, and training for volunteers. Fill out this form by 8/24 if you have a viable spot for a tree to be planted on a parkway (between curb and sidewalk) in front of residential, community, or educational buildings or vacant lots. Please feel free to share with neighbors, friends, block clubs, etc.
Our Upcoming Events
West Ridge Nature Park Stewardship Days: 7/16, 8/20, 9/17, 10/15, 11/19, 12/17
Hollywood Beach Stewardship Days: 7/31, 8/28, 9/25, 10/30
8/22 + 8/29 EEC Table @ Edgewater Monday Farmer’s Market
10/20 Scrap Squad and Mending Event Save the Date
11/5 Pumpkin Smash Save the Date
Last Saturday of the month: Litter Free Edgewater Clean Up
Vedgewater Volunteer Days, assorted Saturdays and weekdays
Remaining 2022 monthly general meetings: 8/11, 9/8, 10/13, 11/10
Community Connections
#BringDOEBack Environmentalism is not cutting it. While we are glad to see the Lightfoot Administration making investments in environmental projects, the reality is our city deserves more—a full Department of Environment. Tell your Alder to #BringDOEBack ilenviro.org/TweetDOE
Edgewater Historical Society's Summer Nights in Edgewater - 2022 Evenings of free musical entertainment by local musicians, and a chance to visit with neighbors and make new friends. Performances are every Wednesday evening through August 24, 2022 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. in the beautiful garden behind the Edgewater Historical Society Museum at 5358 N. Ashland Ave. Children and pet friendly.
VISIONS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS OF THE LAST FOUR MILES Friends of the Park's has been working diligently for the last few years on the Last 4 Miles vision segment that calls for the closure and capping of the Confined Disposal Facility (CDF) at the confluence of Lake Michigan and the Calumet River. But now, there is renewed opportunity to revisit and remind people about other parts of the plan, especially as concerns about lakeshore erosion and the possibility of federal infrastructure dollars energy. See the recording of the session on their website.
Chicago Conservation Corps Fall 2022 Sustainability Leadership Training The Chicago Conservation Corps is now recruiting for its Fall 2022 Sustainability Leadership Training Series. Take part in an introduction to the unique, urban environmental challenges Chicago confronts by learning from community and environmental leaders, finding opportunities for change, and then leading a sustainability service project in your community with support and resources from the Nature Museum. Here is the form to register!