A group of C3 Leaders clearing buckthorn in Chicago’s forest preserves.
A home weatherization demonstration in Bridgeport.
A cozy brunch where all of the food scraps were vermicomposted and each attendee received their own free worm bin in Uptown.
A training for Pullman residents to learn about stormwater management through native landscaping.
A hands-on introduction to Chicago’s bike share system (Divvy) and how it should be used.
These are all activities coordinated by one of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum’s Chicago Conservation Corps (C3) Leaders.
When you think of the Nature Museum, your mind might turn to its collections and exhibits or to its research and restoration efforts. But the Museum also hosts the Chicago Conservation Corps (C3), a network of nearly 700 adult Chicagoans representing every ward in the city.
Each of these “C3 Leaders” has been through at least 20 hours of training and led at least one community-based sustainability service project like those listed above. C3 Leaders learn about sustainability and conservation issues in Chicago directly from experts in the field. They also participate in community organizing and project planning training so they can take what they’ve learned and put it into action. C3 supports this action with up to $250 worth of materials per project.
As part of a brunch, attendees learn about worm composting and building their own bins.
The Nature Museum is always interested in creative ways to help people turn their passion for the environment into action, as evidenced by the Chicago Conservation Corps, which is why they’re so excited to partner with the One Earth Film Festival. On Sunday, March 5, the Museum will host a screening of “Hometown Habitat,” featuring inspiring stories of efforts across the country to restore nature in our own backyards.
To help you turn passions into actions, at the end of the film, attendees can participate in an Action Fair featuring the Chicago Conservation Corps and the Nature Museum’s citizen science programs, and other action partners including Openlands, Faith in Place, the Chicago Park District, Friends of the Forest Preserves, Lurie Garden, and Conservation@Home.
The fair will offer opportunities to make a difference in your community, inspired by “Hometown Habitat.” There also will be delicious vegetarian and vegan treats and a chance to explore the Museum after hours.
—Kristen Pratt | Sustainability Manager,
Notebaert Nature Museum