Monthly Newsletter
Hello EEC friends, community members, and environmental stewards! This newsletter includes our November monthly meeting summary as well as upcoming happenings; be sure to check out our events page to RSVP for our remaining 2022 event opportunities! In our November meeting, we invited all to our Winter Solstice Gathering on December 21st, evaluated EEC's advocacy agenda document, discussed Mayor Lightfoot's 2023 Budget that was approved by City Council November 7th, and shared updates on the Vote Yes midterm referendum, alder candidate election environment town hall, and PFAS-contaminated compost distributed by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. We look forward to seeing you soon! Our monthly meetings take place at 6:30 PM every second Thursday of the month, excluding December 2022, and they are all posted under upcoming events. Join us at our next meeting on 1/12. Conference Information Meeting ID: 829 1770 2982 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82917702982 +13126266799,,82917702982# US
Password: 8x01&^!c
Meeting Highlights
We're welcoming feedback on our advocacy agenda document which will be brought to alder candidates for consideration in their campaigns. This resource includes EEC values, ordinances we support, triple-bottom line goals for sustainability, and we're hoping to have it finalized by December
Hiring for the next intern until December 6th; apply for the Jan-July position by sending your resume and a cover letter to sustainedgewater@gmail.com
For those who'd received free compost contaminated by PFAS from the MWRD, use this resource for contextual information and advice for moving forward with contaminated soils
Friends of the Parks is reviving the Last Four Miles plan to add 500 acres of new parks and beaches along Sheridan, which provides additional recreational areas, increases property values, promotes revitalization, and contributes to Chicago's sustainability goals. Contact John Laswick at laswick@gmail.com if you're interested in getting involved!
Pumpkin Smash Recap
On Saturday, November 5th between 12pm and 4pm, the Edgewater Environmental Coalition gathered with community members to host the third annual Edgewater Pumpkin Smash. Regardless of undesirable weather, the event was a smash! This year alone, the Edgewater Pumpkin Smash has diverted 4.6 tons of pumpkins from area landfills, bringing our grand total from the past three years to 12.7 tons of pumpkins. Thank you to area residents for dropping off hundreds of pumpkins, to all of our volunteers for coming out amid the weather conditions, to the fire station for lending us use of their space, and to Nina Newhouser for coordinating this wonderful event for the last three years.
Our Upcoming Events
West Ridge Nature Park Stewardship Days: 11/19, 12/17
Winter Solstice Gathering: 12/21
48th Ward Candidate Forum: 1/14/23
January monthly meeting: 1/12/23
Community Connections
Electronics Recycling Recycle unwanted electronics safely through an e-waste collection initiative! On December 7th from 9am-1pm, 6441 N Ravenswood Avenue will be hosting a free residential electronics recycling program to safely dispose of computers, monitors, recorders, servers, etc. Check out their flyer here to read about the list of eligible recyclable items and about additional drop-off locations within Chicago.
Vote Yes Midterm Referendum The Vote Yes for Clean Air, Clean Water, and Local Wildlife referendum on the November 8th ballot passed! With 796,000 "yes" votes prevailing over 373,000 "no" votes, this $1.20 monthly tax grants the Forest Preserves of Cook County a higher capacity for restoration work, native habitat acquisition, public outreach, air protection, and job creation. Thank you to the over 170+ coalitions who contributed to ensuring the success of this referendum and securing such expansion of environmental work. Read more here about what this referendum means for both forest preserves in Cook County and for the larger political climate.
In Case You Missed It
In our October monthly meeting, we shared information about our Pumpkin Smash, brainstormed for EEC's Alder Green Legacy sustainability-specific town halls, considered ICJC's letter to Mayor Lightfoot, and shared updates on the Openlands Tree Planting grant, the Community Air Research Experience project, and plans for Catalpa Plaza. Be sure to check out our blog post recap of Community Resiliency events recently hosted by EEC, and check out our website!