Support grassroots environmental volunteers across Chicago!

The mission of the Chicago Conservation Corps (C3) is to recruit, train and support a network of volunteer leaders who work together to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods and schools through environmental service projects that protect our water, clean our air, restore our land and save energy. The program has an extremely high return of benefits on minimal public dollar investment.

Mayor Emanuel pledged, “I want Chicago to be the greenest city in the world, and I am committed to fostering opportunities for Chicagoans to make sustainability a part of their lives and their experience in the city” (City of Chicago Environment and Sustainability).

Together, C3 volunteer leaders, teachers, students and speakers have accomplished the following, and we want to do more. The City needs to allocate adequate funding for our work to continue.

Leaders Track
* 401 projects since 2006, across all 50 Wards
* Already 38 new projects completed since December 2011 Graduation
* 405 people have completed the program since 2006, 255 official leaders currently in the City (completed a project)
* Over 450,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions prevented per year
* To date, nearly 125,000 community members impacted by C3 projects
* To date, 9.4 million pounds of waste diverted from landfills
* To date, nearly 300 acres improved through clean-ups and plantings

Student Clubs, Teachers & Schools
* 1,500 students engaged in the program per year
* Over 150 schools/teachers involved since 2006
* Currently 83 active clubs in CPS schools
* Recruiting 30 new schools for the 2012-2013 school year

Community Weatherization Action Teams
* 6,903 kits installed in 2011-2012 heating season
* 21,149 kits distributed since 2009