Oak Park – Oak Park-based environmental nonprofit, Seven Generations Ahead (SGA), celebrates its 20th anniversary on November 1st, 2021. For two decades, it has been a leader in environmental sustainability initiatives and advocacy throughout the Chicagoland area and beyond. SGA has helped launch composting and zero waste programs across numerous schools and municipalities in Illinois. […]
Mooseheart School HOTM program sows seed...
At Mooseheart Child & City School, the young residents and the adults who care for them take the Illinois Harvest of the Month program to heart. From cabbage to Brussels sprouts, all kinds of vegetables end up on the menu at the Kane County residential childcare campus. And that’s not by accident. Mary Zupke, the […]
SGA builds support for green infrastruct...
There are many social and ecological benefits of green infrastructure: studies have shown that greenery reduces stress and improves well-being (1), and stormwater management projects can reduce flooding (2). In Illinois, many municipalities and private entities are investing in such projects to improve the sustainability of their region. On March 20, over 60 professionals, students, […]
Big Idea Prizewinner
SGA is proud to announce that It’s Our Future was the Big Idea winner at this year’s event! We look forward to getting this project off the ground and helping mobilize young people passionate about working toward a sustainable future. Stay tuned for project updates. IN THE NEWS This year’s ‘Big Idea’ winner aims to […]
Fox Valley Sustainability Network hits t...
After its final 2018 event in November focusing on the Greenest Region Compact, the Fox Valley Sustainability Network is building momentum with more events planned for 2019. The first forum in early February focused on solar energy and the Future Energy Jobs Act and engaged participants across every sector including developers, municipalities, energy providers, and […]
2018 PlanItGreen Lunch and Learn Wrap Up
As part of PlanItGreen’s (PIG) initiative to increase education on environmental issues and solutions, it holds regular lunch and learn sessions that provide institutional and community leaders with expert information and facts on various sustainability topics. In 2018, PIG hosted six lunch and learns covering topics like water, energy efficiency, native plants, solar, and more. […]
Getting to the heart of better soil thro...
Organized by Seven Generations Ahead, SCARCE, the Illinois Food Scrap Coalition, and Dupage and Kane Counties, the “Getting to the Heart of Better Soil Through Composting” zero waste forum took place Feb. 14 at the Cantigny Golf Club in Wheaton. The forum focused on the benefits of compost for improving soil quality for landscape and under […]
Solar, renewable energy forum features m...
SGA and the Fox Valley Sustainability Network hosted a Solar and Renewable Energy Forum at Waubonsee Community College in Aurora on Jan. 18. Among the topics that various speakers covered were financing options for community solar projects in Illinois, the different kinds of solar projects on the horizon, the Future Energy Jobs Act and municipal […]
Resilient Communities Forum offers clima...
The Resilient Communities Forum on Jan. 31 at the 19th Century Club drew 175 residents from Oak Park and River Forest. They heard from municipal and environmental leaders on ways nations and communities are addressing the challenges of climate change. PlanItGreen helped organize the event, which featured a presentation by SGA executive director Gary Cuneen […]
PlanItGreen carving a solar path to comm...
PlanItGreen convened its annual Institutional Leaders Forum on Dec. 5 to highlight efforts by organizations that promote sustainability and help put the brakes on climate-related impacts. And while it is customary for River Forest Village President Cathy Adduci and Oak Park Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb to attend the forum, they were in the city preparing to […]