Daphne Dixon has come to know Seven Generations Ahead well over the last nine years. It was in 2007 that the Connecticut resident, after completing a master gardener’s program, started thinking about starting an organization that would “educate people about what they can do around sustainability,” she says. Dixon began with Google, looking—virtually—“around the country […]
Energy Jobs bill paves way for community...
On Dec. 1, the Illinois General Assembly passed the “Future Energy Jobs Bill” (SB2814), the most comprehensive energy legislation of its kind in more than 20 years. A few days later, Gov. Rauner signed the bill. The bill had been headlined as a subsidy, or “bailout,” for the nuclear power plants that Exelon has been […]
PlanItGreen sees a future in community s...
Solar power is mainstreaming into the United States’ electric grid, shedding its label as an “alternative source” in just a few years. More than 1 million buildings in the United States, and about 1,000 in Illinois, have a solar power system on their property. With utility-scale installations, solar power is near 3 percent of U.S. […]
Fox Valley Sustainability Network secure...
Since launching earlier this year, the Fox Valley Sustainability Network (FVSN) has been hosting public forums built around different aspects of sustainability. The forums consistently draw dozens of municipal officials and topic experts from across the region. In July, the Grand Victoria Riverboat Fund in Kane County approved a $34,000 for Seven Generations Ahead that will support a series […]
SGA and other groups explore food waste ...
Fresh Taste Initiative and Seven Generations Ahead convened a half-day meeting at the Greater Chicago Food Depository on May 16 to explore food waste solutions in the Chicago region. Presented under the title, “Exploring Food Waste Solutions in the Chicago Region,” the meeting brought together groups on both sides of the food waste reduction equation-those […]
FVSN forum looks at solar energy’s advan
Solar energy was the topic for Fox Valley Sustainability Network‘s second forum on June 8 at the Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora. The network is a project of Seven Generations Ahead, Kane County, the City of Aurora, and a5 Inc., Branding + Digital in collaboration with the Fox Valley communities and counties. Among those giving presentations were Steve Johnson, vice president of […]
Rush Oak Park Hospital shares food scrap...
Nearly 112 tons of food scraps have been diverted from landfills since Rush Oak Park Hospital (ROPH) began itsfood scrap diversion and composting program three years ago, Cynthia Vasquez, the hospital’s Director of Volunteer services and Chair of the ROPH Green Team, reports. Between 2013 and 2015, the amount nearly doubled, jumping from 24.42 tons to […]
Lunch and Learn Round-Up
Through its Lunch and Learn forums, PlanItGreen covers some of the top sustainability topics of the day. The forums give institutional leaders a chance to engage with subject experts and take away valuable insights and information that can improve their communities. April was a busy month, with three forums, all held in the conference room […]
SGA helps launch Fox Valley Sustainabili...
What began as an idea put forth at the Green Town Aurora conference in February 2015 is now the Fox Valley Sustainability Network (FVSN). It became official on March 16 when 75 people met at the Hickory Knolls Discovery Center in St. Charles to share success stories and snapshots of what municipalities, businesses and nonprofits are already […]
It’s a go: Green Guides network takes of
Two kickoff gatherings for the new Green Guides network each drew more than 25 people, filling an Oak Park Library meeting room on a Thursday morning and a Tuesday evening. Jen Nelson, zero waste program manager for SGA who is helping coordinate the network, encouraged people to continue to spread the word and talk to others who […]