Sustainability Resources

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)
The primary advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges. AACC promotes community colleges through five strategic action areas: recognition and advocacy for community colleges; student access, learning, and success; community college leadership development; economic and workforce development; and global and intercultural education.

American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment
Provides resources to support the planning process, such as conducting greenhouse gas inventories, strategic planning, and reporting.

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
An association of colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada working to create a sustainable future.  Aims to advance the efforts of the entire campus sustainability community by uniting diverse initiatives and connecting practitioners to resources and professional development opportunities.

The Center for Green Schools
Works directly with teachers, students, administrators, elected officials and communities, to create programs, resources and partnerships that transform all schools into healthy learning environments.

Chicagoland Network for Sustainability in Higher Ed
Comprehensive list of sustainability managers staff at all Chicago-area colleges and universities.

Clean Jobs Illinois
An in-depth look at Illinois’ Clean Energy Employment in 2015

Climate Action Planning
Provides support in the planning process, such as conducting greenhouse gas inventories, strategic planning, and reporting.

Delta Institute
A non-profit that thinks like a business to build both a resilient environment and economy through sustainable solutions.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Manages, conserves and protects Illinois’ natural, recreational and cultural resources, furthers the public’s understanding and appreciation of those resources, and promotes the education, science and public safety of Illinois’ natural resources for present and future generations.

Environmental Law and Policy Center
The Midwest’s leading public interest environmental legal advocacy and eco-business innovation organization.

Environment News in IL
The State of Illinois’ Environment News section provides access to all State of Illinois press releases that have been published about conservation and the environment, addressing topics ranging from preservation strategies, to prevention and restoration issues.

Environmental Protection Agency – Illinois
Environmental resources for citizens, business, government and educators.  Illinois EPA works to safeguard the state’s natural resources from pollution to provide a healthy environment for its citizens. By partnering with businesses, local governments and citizens, Illinois EPA is dedicated to continued protection of the air we breathe and our water and land resources.

US Environmental Protection Agency – Climate Change
The latest Information and news about the Clean Power Plan–a historic and important step in reducing carbon pollution from power plants that takes real action on climate change.

Green Biz
Advances the opportunities at the intersection of business, technology and sustainability. Through its websites, events, peer-to-peer network and research, GreenBiz promotes the potential to drive transformation and accelerate progress — within companies, industries and in the very nature of business.

Illinois Campus Sustainability Compact
Outlines environmental goals that colleges and universities — both public and private — may adopt on their campuses. The Compact includes objectives such as purchasing renewable energy, implementing green building practices, developing sustainable transportation options, improving water conservation, and incorporating sustainable dining practices.

Illinois Community College Board
Administers the Public Community College Act in a manner that maximizes the ability of the community colleges to serve their communities. As an integral part of the state’s system of higher education, community colleges are committed to providing high-quality, accessible, cost-effective educational opportunities for the individuals and communities they serve.

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
To raise Illinois’ profile as a premier global business destination through coordination of business recruitment and retention, provision of essential capital to small businesses, investment in infrastructure and job training for a 21st century economy, and administration of state and federal grant programs.

Illinois Environmental Council
Engages in education and outreach, providing sound environmental laws and policies and a forum for environmentalists to ensure a more healthful environment for Illinois residents.

IL Green
Green government, initiatives, funding, resources, and sustainable transportation in Illinois.

Illinois Green Business Association
A national leader in facilitating green business practices, leading businesses to significant savings while attracting new customers, increasing customer loyalty, and attracting and retaining the best employees.  Offers Green Business Certification program.

Illinois Pathways
An innovative public-private education partnership that is organized to support local implementation of P-20 STEM Programs of Study by coordinating and reducing the transaction cost among statewide networks of education partners, businesses, industry associations, labor organizations, and other organizations.

Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, Prairie Research Institute  (ISTC)
Integrates applied research, technical assistance, and information services to advance efforts in the areas of pollution prevention; water and energy conservation; and materials recycling and beneficial reuse.

National Association of State Energy Officials  (NASEO)
The only national non-profit association for the governor-designated energy officials from each of the 56 states and territories. NASEO facilitates peer learning among state energy officials, serves as a resource for and about state energy offices, and advocates the interests of the state energy offices to Congress and federal agencies.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory  (NREL)
Focus on creative answers to today’s energy challenges. From breakthroughs in fundamental science to new clean technologies to integrated energy systems that power our lives, NREL researchers are transforming the way the nation and the world use energy.

National Resources Defense Council  (NRDC)
One of the nation’s the nation’s most effective environmental action groups. Works to safeguard the earth—its people, plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends.

National Science Foundation  (NSF)
Provides funding for approximately 24 percent of all federally supported basic research conducted by America’s colleges and universities. In many fields such as mathematics, computer science and the social sciences, NSF is the major source of federal backing.

Partnership for Sustainable Communities
Works to coordinate federal housing, transportation, water, and other infrastructure investments to make neighborhoods more prosperous, allow people to live closer to jobs, save households time and money, and reduce pollution. The partnership agencies incorporate six principles of livability into federal funding programs, policies, and future legislative proposals.

Patrick Engineering
National leader in engineering, design and construction management. Capabilities span disciplines including transportation, environmental, civil, geotechnical and electrical engineering,

Second Nature – Education for Sustainability
Serving and supporting senior college and university leaders in making healthy, just and sustainable living the foundation of all learning and practice in higher education.

sr4 Partners
Organizational change – helping people learn to embrace something new and different through articulation, inquiry and mobilization practices.

Sustainable Business Center – West Central IL
A business incubator designed to accelerate the successful development of environmentally conscious, innovative companies.  Find out about tenant amenities such as office space, warehouse storage, manufacturing space, land for organic agriculture production, a Food and Drug Administration-certified commercial kitchen, business support resources and services, and a network of contacts.

Sustainability Education and Economic Development
Aims to advance sustainability and clean technology education programs at community colleges by sharing innovative practices, resources, guides, toolkits, workshops, webinars, and mentoring sessions to help college administrators, faculty, and staff build the green economy.

Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System
The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS) is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance.

Union of Concerned Scientists
Develops innovative, practical solutions to combat global warming, as well as sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves.  Fights misinformation and reduces the threat of nuclear war.  Join campaigns and take action to help create a healthy, safe and sustainable future.

US Department of Energy
Details many options for saving energy and using renewable energy at home, at work, in the community and while driving.

US Department of Labor
The Department has a special interest and role in sustainability leadership as it works to increase the number of and train Americans for green jobs.  Publishes 2014 sustainability and energy performance scorecard.

We Train
weTRaIN consists of over 150 training professionals located at 48 Community Colleges across the State of Illinois. weTRaIN member institutions provide customized workforce training services in Illinois for quality and process improvement, leadership and professional development, manufacturing systems and technical skills, computer, and occupational safety.

World Resources Institute (WRI)
Focuses on projects, initiatives and outcomes in six critical issues at the intersection of environment and development: climate, energy, food, forests, water, and cities and transport.

American Farmland Trust
Advocates, educates, innovates, investigates, and collaborates to save farmland and protect natural resources.

Farm Illinois – A Food and Agricultural Roadmap for Illinois
FARM’s Illinois plan outlines strategic recommendations that will set the national and international standard for how the food and agriculture system can improve health, contribute to the economy, create jobs, employ new technologies, preserve the environment, adapt to a changing climate, and help underserved communities.

Illinois Department of Agriculture
An advocate for Illinois’ agricultural industry, providing the necessary regulatory functions to benefit consumers, agricultural industry, and natural resources. Information on licensing, business assistance, animals, environment, plants, fairs and horse racing.

Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA)
Provides technical support, applied research, policy evaluation, programs for economic development, and training across the state. IIRA is a clearinghouse for information on rural issues, coordinates rural research, and works with state agencies on issues of importance to rural communities.

Illinois Organic Growers Assn.
Provides information, news and activities related to organic agriculture.  Organizes workshops, presentations, and field days.  Helps growers educate consumers and expand markets for organic agricultural products.

Illinois Stewardship Alliance
Promotes environmentally sustainable, economically viable, socially just local food systems through policy development, advocacy and education.

Illinois Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education (SARE)
Grants and education to advance innovations in sustainable agriculture.

World Resource Institute – Food
Develops analyses, partnerships, and strategies to secure a sustainable food future.

Discover Manufacturing in Central IL
Provides the tools needed to develop skills, plan for a career, connect to training programs, get hired into a job, and stay current on events, news, and special programs.

Illinois Network for Advanced Manufacturing
A network of 21 community colleges across the state of Illinois training and certifying students for entry into the rewarding field of advanced manufacturing.  Students receive training at advanced manufacturing facilities with the latest equipment and expanded welding and mechatronics labs, with updated curricula.

Alliance for the Great Lakes
Works to conserve and restore the world’s largest surface freshwater resource using policy, education and citizen involvement.  Works with a strong volunteer network of residents, teachers, scientists and businesses to sustain and preserve the region for all generations.

The Conservation Foundation
Not-for-profit land and watershed conservation organizations dedicated to preserving and restoring open space, protecting rivers and watersheds and promoting stewardship of the environment in northeastern Illinois. 

Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute
The Water Survey includes the following sections:  climate and atmospheric science, chemistry and technology, groundwater science, water quality, surface water hydrology and hydraulics, coordinated hazard assessment and mapping program (CHAMP), and water resources data and information.

Illinois Water Environment Association (IWEA)
A community of dedicated professionals—engineers, scientists, plant operators, students—working to advance fundamental knowledge of our water environment. Offers networking opportunities and educational events for members.

National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC)
Studies the great river systems and the communities that use them.  Conducts research, education, and outreach relate to the interconnectedness of large rivers, their floodplains, watersheds, and their associated communities. 

Water at Illinois
Information hub for all water-related research expertise available at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  Serves as a repository for opportunities in the water field, including grants, educational areas, and jobs.

World Resources Institute – Water
Projects mapping, measuring and mitigating global water challenges.

Active Transportation
A coalition of people working to make biking, walking and transit safe and easy options for getting around Chicagoland.

Argonne National Laboratory – Transportation and Technology R&D Center
News and media information about alternative fuels and technology analysis.

Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition
Works with vehicle fleets, fuel providers, community leaders, and other stakeholders to reduce petroleum use in transportation through the use of alternative and renewable fuels, idle-reduction measures, fuel economy improvements, and new transportation technologies.

EVTown
Provides members of the Bloomington-Normal community with all of the information needed to evaluate available electric vehicle technologies.  EVTown is intended to connect interested persons with opportunities to personally view, test drive, and purchase electric vehicles.

IGEN Vehicle Road Trip highlights video
Southwestern Illinois College served as a “pit stop” along the way for the Illinois Green Economy Network Electric Vehicle Road Trip.

IL Green
Green government, initiatives, funding, resources, and sustainable transportation in Illinois.

Illinois Green Fleets
This voluntary program recognizes a fleet manager’s progressive efforts in using environmentally friendly vehicles and fuels to improve air quality while promoting our domestic fuels for greater national energy security.  Locate alternative fueling stations in Illinois on this site.

Illinois Transportation Data for Alternative Fuels and Vehicles
Find transportation data and information about alternative fuels and advanced vehicles in Illinois, including laws and incentives, fueling stations, fuel prices, and more.

US Department of Energy Data Center – Alternative Fuels
Large, online collection of information on alternative fuels and the vehicles that use them. Provides online tools such as alternative fuels station locator, calculators, vehicle search tool, industry data, and a search tool for state and federal incentives and laws.

US Department of Energy – Alternative Vehicles
Information and videos about electric vehicles, gas mileage and new vehicle technology.

The Future of Smart Grid Technologies
Detailed infographic sponsored by the University of California, Riverside’s Online Master of Science in Engineering program.

Advanced Technology Environmental Energy Center
A resource for business, education and government advancing environmental and energy technology education through curriculum, professional, and program development.

Advancing Renewable Energy in Illinois Program
IGEN approved proposals and awarded funds to 14 Illinois community colleges for installation of renewable energy projects in the form of photovoltaic cells, solar thermal conductors, and wind turbines on their campuses or at partnering facilities.

Ameren Illinois Act on Energy Program
Provides information and programs to their residential and commercial customers in Illinois and Missouri to help lower energy bills with energy efficiency rebates, incentives and programs.

American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
A nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting economic prosperity, energy security and environmental protection.

Argonne National Laboratory
A multidisciplinary science and engineering research center, where “dream teams” of world-class researchers work alongside experts from industry, academia and other government laboratories to address vital national challenges in clean energy, environment, technology and national security.

The C4Project at Kankakee Community College Video
Kankakee Community College and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association educate consumers about the benefits of solar energy and create a unique solar education and promotion program that involves local businesses and U.S. manufacturing.

Campus Conservation Nationals  (CCN)
The largest electricity and water reduction competition for colleges and universities in the world. CCN is an opportunity to challenge students and staff to participate in fun events that can have an immediate and lasting impact on their school’s carbon emissions and campus culture.

Center for Renewable Energy – Illinois State U.
Provides information to the public and encourages applied research concerning renewable energy at Illinois State University and through collaborations with other universities.

Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Offers Illinois renewable energy resources and incentive programs.

http://www.igencc.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/elp_flyer.pdf
Equipment Loan Program – Illinois Home Performance
Assists home performance professionals by making home energy evaluation equipment available to them at no charge. See site for eligibility requirements.

Energy Savers
Ways to save on heating, cooling, electricity and other home energy projects.

Environmental Defense Fund
Clean Jobs Legislation Maintains Momentum in Illinois – blog article

Geothermal Alliance of Illinois
Find information, incentives and a qualified contractor/installer for geothermal heating and cooling in Illinois.

Grow Solar
Helps facilitate the adoption of solar permitting, planning, zoning, financing, and policies supporting sustainable solar market growth. Through the Power Pack program, provides education and resources that simplify the process of installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Illinois Biomass Working Group – A Collaborative Network for the Future of BioMass
Helps link farmers and businesses of many types to form complete biomass supply chains and to promote collaborative efforts among the private sector, public researchers, and regulators.

Illinois Renewable Energy Association  (IREA)
Supports sustainable energy development in Illinois.  THE IREA provides hands-on opportunities for the public to learn about the benefits, potentials, and uses of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Illinois Science and Energy Innovation Foundation  (ISEIF)
Informs Illinois consumers in the transformation to a digital electric grid through funding, grants, innovative education, outreach, and research projects in correspondence with smart meter deployment timelines

Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA)
Provides energy education to the public and promotes the widespread application of solar, renewable and sustainable energy methods and technologies.  Provides member education on clean energy issues.

Interstate Renewable Energy Council
Offers accreditation and certification programs, administers the Solar Training Network, introduces regulatory policy innovations, and offers publications and reports.

Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance  (MEEA)
A collaborative network advancing energy efficiency in the Midwest to support sustainable economic development and environmental preservation.

Midwest Energy News
Clean Energy Bill introduced in Feb., 2015.

Midwest Renewable Energy Association  (MREA)
Promotes renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstrations.  Manages the Midwest Solar Training Network providing instructor development opportunities.

Midwest Solar Training Network
Offers high-quality, local, and accessible training in solar system design, installation, sales, and inspection through train-the-trainer programs.

North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners  (NABCEP)
Certification programs for the renewable energy and energy efficient industry practitioners.

Renewable Energy Integrators and the Reality Show:  Steve Fleeman at TEDxRockford  – Video
Stephen R. Fleeman, Associate Professor and the Academic Chair of Electronic Engineering Technology and Sustainable Energy Systems at Rock Valley College in Rockford, Illinois, describes student projects supported by Freedom Field Renewable Energy.

Smart Power Illinois
Educates Illinois power consumers about smart grid and smart meter technology.

Statewide Energy Dashboard
IGEN’s real-time analytics program measures energy consumption and efficiency on Illinois community college campuses to monitor energy use and impact across the state.

Wind on the Wires
Bringing wind power to the market through transmission planning, regulatory efforts and by educating stakeholders about the operating impacts of integrating wind into the electrical power system, .

World Resources Institute – Energy
Projects, initiatives and outcomes that dramatically reduce greenhouse gas pollution while meeting the energy needs of the poorest and building competitive economies.

Better Buildings – US Department of Energy 2015 Report
Results, solutions and sector highlights.

Better Buildings – US Department of Energy
Aims to make commercial, public, industrial, and residential buildings 20 percent more energy efficient over the next decade by developing innovative, replicable solutions, making energy efficient investment easier, and developing a skilled clean energy workforce.

Building Green
An independent company committed to providing accurate, unbiased, and timely information designed to help building-industry professionals and policy makers improve the environmental performance and reduce the adverse impacts of buildings.

Campus Green Builder
Online portal to green building information for academic institutions provides a one-stop online resource on campus green building that is free and accessible to all higher education institutions.

Equipment Loan Program – Illinois Home Performance
Assists home performance professionals by making home energy evaluation equipment available to them at no charge. See site for eligibility requirements

ENERGY STAR
Information and education on green buildings and energy efficiency.  Learn how to build an energy program, improve building and plant performance, earn ENERGY STAR and other recognition, and benchmark energy use.

EPA Green Building Portal
Gateway to EPA’s related programs such as Energy Star, Indoor Air, Smart Growth, and Environmentally Preferable Building Products, construction and demolition.

Buildium’s Green Building Resource Guide
Environmentally-friendly building tactics to help you save money.

Illinois Home Performance – Energy Star Upgrades
Learn about home energy upgrades in Illinois, who is eligible to participate, and what to expect during your project.

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) – Building Green
Outlines the business reasons for getting into green building and provides a guide to getting started.  Learn how to find a green architect, how to streamline design and construction, which strategies deliver the best paybacks, how to get green building projects noticed, and what pitfalls to watch out for.

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Provides a suite of cost‐effective technologies, tools, solutions, best practices, and case studies to support energy efficiency improvements in commercial buildings.

Smart Energy Design Assistance Center  (SEDAC)
Provides advice and analyses enabling non-residential facilities in the State of Illinois to increase profitability through the efficient use of energy resources. Offers free technical services for public sector and business clients.

US Green Building Council
The nation’s foremost coalition of leaders from every sector of the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.

US Green Building Council – Illinois Chapter
Works to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work through a variety of programs, events, educational and research initiatives, advocacy campaigns, and resources for the local green building community.

US Green Building Council – Resources
LEED resources including handbooks on credentialing, marketing research, and policies.

Chicagoland Environmental Network
Provides resources on nature or conservation-related activities in northeastern Illinois and surrounding areas. Activities include habitat restoration, wetland, prairie, and watershed projects, urban gardening, energy conservation, composting, wildlife conservation, and recycling.

The Conservation Foundation
Not-for-profit land and watershed conservation organizations dedicated to preserving and restoring open space, protecting rivers and watersheds and promoting stewardship of the environment in northeastern Illinois. 

Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Manages, conserves and protects Illinois’ natural, recreational and cultural resources, furthers the public’s understanding and appreciation of those resources, and promotes the education, science and public safety of Illinois’ natural resources for present and future generations.

Midwest Ecological Landscape Alliance  (MELA)
A movement dedicated to creating, restoring and preserving sustainable landscapes through education, collaboration and networking.

National Parks Conservation Association
Protecting national parks through advocacy, education, legislation support, and park assessments.

Nature Conservancy – Illinois Chapter
Preserving Illinois’ diverse habitats: prairies, savannas, forests, wetlands and rivers. Addresses threats to conservation involving climate change, fresh water, oceans, and conservation lands.

Natural Land Institute
Preserves land and natural diversity by protecting, managing, and restoring prairies, forests, wetlands, and river corridors throughout Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Serves as a regional land trust, accepts donations of properties, buys lands, manages natural areas, and helps landowners establish legal agreements that permanently limit harmful use and development.

Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) – Illinois, US Department of Agriculture
Assists owners of America’s private land with conserving their soil, water, and other natural resources.

Openlands
Openlands protects the natural and open spaces of northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region to ensure cleaner air and water, protect natural habitats and wildlife, and help balance and enrich our lives through numerous environmental projects.

Sierra Club – Illinois
Membership helps rescue irreplaceable wildlands, save endangered and threatened wildlife, improve urban spaces and protect the Earth’s fragile environment. Congressional lobbying and grassroots action on environmental issues.

State of Illinois – Environmental and Natural Resources
Provides sustainability resources in Illinois.

Auto and Truck Recyclers of Illinois
Providing services and programs to promote the used parts recycling industry’s beneficial effects on society and its environment.

Better World Books – textbook donations
Raising money for literacy, saving millions of books from landfills, creating jobs for hundreds of people, and providing books to millions of readers worldwide. 

Building Materials Reuse Association (BMRA)
Non-profit educational and research organization advancing the recovery, reuse and recycling of building materials through education, knowledge sharing, research and certification.

Illinois Food Scrap Coalition (IFSC)
Best practices, education, projects, policies, resources and recognition programs in support of food composting in Illinois.

Illinois Counties Solid Waste Management Association (ILCSWMA)
A forum for networking and information exchange among solid waste professionals in Illinois.

Illinois Department of Agriculture
An advocate for Illinois’ agricultural industry providing the necessary regulatory functions to benefit consumers, agricultural industry, and our natural resources. Promotes and regulates agriculture in a manner which encourages farming and agribusiness while protecting Illinois’ consumers and our natural resources.

Illinois Recycling Association
Encourages the responsible use of resources by promoting waste reduction, re-use, and recycling.  Provides educational leadership through forums, programs, and materials; promotes waste reduction, re-use, and recycling through public education; and promotes market development that encourages sound recycling initiatives.

Municipal Solid Waste (EPA)
Contains information and statistics on all aspects of dealing with Municipal Solid Waste

Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN)
A national movement of student leaders working towards a world without waste. PLAN helps students launch self-sustaining programs with support and resources that fight the cycle of campus waste.

World Computer Exchange – computer donations
Promotes the reuse of electronic equipment and its ultimate disposal in an environmentally responsible manner.  Also connects youth in developing countries to the skills, opportunities and understanding of the internet.