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Use the Natural Solutions Tool to prioritize areas for nature-based solutions in your community
Friends of the Chicago River and The Trust for Public Land released the new Natural Solutions Tool to help the region use green infrastructure to address community and environmental problems.
The Natural Solutions Tool helps focus strategic investments on green infrastructure, prioritize communities of greatest need, and reveal where the multiple benefits of nature-based solutions can improve community and environmental health.
The Greater Chicago Watershed Council –– of which CMAP is a part –– has created the free, publicly available Natural Solutions Tool, which covers 1,300 square miles and includes nearly 1.5 million parcels in 176 municipalities and 42 subwatersheds in Cook, Lake, DuPage, and Will Counties.
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Want to write a tree preservation ordinance? Check out new ordinance builder
Is your community interested in updating your tree preservation ordinance? Use this Chicago Region Trees Initiative tool to draft a tree protection ordinance for a community forestry program. With various levels of use and examples from Illinois communities, this tool has options to help communities create a tree protection ordinance.
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Building climate resilience in northeastern Illinois
Moving the needle on our region's climate goals can take years, even decades — but progress is happening. To learn more and better understand what that looks like, check out these resources:
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How your community can plan for climate action
In a recent CMAP Talks webinar, panelists discussed how communities can take climate action, and resources you can use from CMAP, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, and more. Find a recording of the webinar, key takeaways, and resources on CMAP's website.
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CMAP senior planner appointed to Kane County Farmland Protection Commission
CMAP is proud to announce that Senior Planner Holly Hudson was appointed by the Kane County Board as a member of the Kane County Farmland Protection Commission.
The Farmland Protection Commission advances the protection of agricultural land within the county through conservation easements and purchase of development rights from participating farms. The commission is being reignited with an expanded role beyond farmland protection to include land practices.
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Become a RiverWatch volunteer
Become certified as an Illinois RiverWatch Network volunteer and learn how to monitor the water quality in your local streams. Volunteers will learn how to conduct habitat surveys and biological surveys focused on species like dragonfly nymphs, beetle larva, midges, and snails. Workshops costs $50 for adults. No prior experience is necessary to attend a workshop. Upcoming workshops include Joliet (April 1), Chicago (April 5), Lake Forest (April 7), Ingleside (April 15), Richmond (April 29), and North Aurora (April 30).
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Learn about harmful cyanobacteria blooms in your waterways
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Surface Water Section is hosting virtual workshops on harmful cyanobacteria blooms with Dr. Ann St. Amand, a leading authority on algae ecology and taxonomy.
In this workshop, Dr. St. Amand will introduce algae, discuss cyanobacteria bloom characteristics and toxins they produce, and demonstrate sample collection for cyanobacteria species identification and enumeration. The Illinois EPA will provide information on how to report and respond to a potential cyanobacteria bloom and explain their response process.
The workshops are free, but you must register in advance for April 6 or April 12. Both workshops will cover the same material.
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Illinois American Water's Environmental Grant Program
Illinois American Water is accepting applications for the Environmental Grant Program. If your community or organization is planning to launch an environmental initiative that focuses on watershed or water source protection, you might be eligible to receive a grant. Deadline for applications is Friday, March 31. Applications must be emailed to Mike Jones at mike.jones@amwater.com.
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Low or No Emission and Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Programs
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration has announced the availability funding through the Low or No Emission Program and Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program. These programs support state and local efforts to modernize aging transit fleets with low- and no-emission buses, renovate and construct bus facilities, and support workforce development. Complete proposals must be submitted by Thursday, April 13.
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Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is solicitating applications for projects that support community-based nonprofit organizations in their collaboration with other stakeholders to develop solutions that significantly address environmental or public health issues in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms. Apply for the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program by Friday, April 14.
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Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program
The new Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program will select multiple grant makers around the nation to reduce barriers to the federal grants application process and increase the efficiency of the environmental justice grant awards process. Grant makers will design competitive application and submission processes, award environmental justice subgrants, implement a tracking and reporting system, provide resources and support to communities, all in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. Apply by Wednesday, May 31.
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