Sustainable development in Illinois encounters challenges in balancing resource demand with responsible management. Transitioning to sustainable infrastructure involves substantial investment and planning, including upgrading existing structures for energy efficiency and developing new systems. Addressing these challenges requires collaboration among governments, businesses, communities, and individuals committed to a more sustainable future.
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Celebrate and Enhance Biodiversity
Lack of biodiversity in our environments poses serious threats to human health, livelihoods, food systems, and climate change. Conscious management of urban environments by improving plant species biodiversity, with an appreciation of the importance of biodiversity to habitat, can play an important role in restoring native species' habitat, mitigating climate change, and improving human health and community resilience. Explore ideas and strategies community organizations can use to increase native plant species and adapt to our changing climate.
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Community Support Resources
As part of the Great Lakes Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (Great Lakes TCTAC), University of Illinois Extension partners with Prairie Rivers Network to support Illinois communities that have been disproportionately burdened by environmental hazards and historically have not had the resources to apply for environmental, climate, or energy-related grants. Great Lakes TCTAC helps community organizations successfully navigate funding opportunities that let them access the resources they need to lead in the clean energy transition, pollution clean-up, and green workforce development.
Watch Recorded Webinars
Grant Planning and Watershed Pollution Control
Get an overview of Illinois EPA’s financial assistance programs for water quality and watershed protection and learn about applicant eligibility, pre-application registration requirements, and Illinois EPA's AmpliFund online application system.
Nonpoint Source Pollution Control
Explore eligible grant applicants and projects, including watershed-based planning, best management practice implementation, outreach and education, and other eligible activities. This session also provides an overview of watershed-based planning and implementation, the foundation and main priority for the Section 319 program.
Green Infrastructure Grants
Illinois EPA’s Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities (GIGO) program spotlights best management practices to control stormwater runoff. The session covers the GIGO Program, stormwater runoff impact on local water quality, applicant requirements, and eligible management practices.
Clean Energy for Rural America
Explore state and federal incentives that make solar more accessible and affordable and learn about the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) program, which provides grant funding and guaranteed loans for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements for small rural businesses and agricultural producers.
Climate and Equitable Jobs Act
Learn about many provisions of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), including decarbonization, just transition, renewable energy, equitable workforce development, utility accountability, and consumer protection. Find out how the law and programs will impact consumers, communities, and the marketplace.
Resources
Sustainable Community Specialist
