April is Earth Month! What better way to celebrate than volunteering with the 40th Ward Environmental Board to make our ward and our city a greener place?
What is the Environmental Board?
The Environmental Board is a group of 40th Ward neighbors who work together on sustainability and climate change mitigation efforts both in the ward and citywide. The Environmental Board develops and advocates for environmental justice policy, and provides resources and support for neighbors who want to take direct action on making their homes and communities more sustainable.
The Environmental Board created the 40th Ward Sustainability Guide, and since then, we’ve been building on several initiatives that came out of that guide.
Here”s what we’ve been working on this year:
Electrification Savings
The Electrification Savings Working Group (EG) started as a group of constituents that wanted to learn all about the programs and incentives to de-fossil fuel our daily lives and educate neighbors. Over the last year and a half, the working group has prepared educational materials like the video below and conducted outreach at farmers markets, block parties, and other ward events to introduce neighbors to the financial, health, and climate benefits of electrifying their homes.
One of our most popular events is the signature Induction Cooking Demo, held in partnership with the Chopping Block. Check out photos from our latest cooking class below!
The Electrification Working Group also launched its Climate Help Desk, which works to connect neighbors with guidance and resources to support them in making their homes more energy efficient through projects like converting from gas to electric heat pumps and installing solar panels.
If you want to learn about electrification incentives and programs for your home or business, and help demystify and promote decarbonization for 40th Ward neighbors and the rest of the city, join the Electrification Savings Working Group!
Parkways for Pollinators
The Parkways for Pollinators Working Group began with a group of likeminded constituents who wanted to raise awareness of the beneficial effects of pollinator and bioswale plant species. The Working Group is currently researching and developing policy recommendations for the City to prioritize pollinator and bioswale seed mixes in its parkways–– especially when performing parkway restoration following any construction projects.
The working group is also working with such groups like the Native and Pollinator Garden Registry Advisory Board to destigmatize native and pollinator plant varieties to City departments and hesitant neighbors.
If you love the idea of creating real solutions to reduce stormwater runoff and sewer catch basin blockage on your street, or you want to see more native landscapes and pollinator gardens in the city, join this working group!
Neighborhood Cleanups
Want to get your hands a little dirtier? We also work to put together park and neighborhood cleanups throughout the year to keep the ward healthy and litter-free (we also offer free gloves, so you don’t actually have to get your hands dirty).
If you’d like to organize a clean-up in your neighborhood, you can contact Nora Fabre at nora@40thward.org! Our office provides equipment like gloves, trash pickers, and garbage bags.
Get Involved
If you want to learn more, or you have other ideas for how we can make the ward a greener place, join our next virtual onboarding meeting on Monday, April 14th. Register at bit.ly/40thenviroboard!