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DeKalb County, Illinois

Informational & Useful Links


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Informational & Useful Links


Ecology

1)  Reduce, Reuse and Recycle - model this activity by having children help with recycling, by using cast-off containers for another purpose and by composting kitchen scraps for your garden.                                        http://www.composters.com/ is one possible source of composters, worm composting (vermiculture) and kitchen composters.

 

2)  Carbon offsetting -- Humans leave behind a "carbon footprint" no matter what the activity.  In addition to reducing our footprint through energy conservation, we can support organizations that work to promote alternative energy sources, plant trees, and do other earth friendly activities.  One such organization is www.carbonfund.org whose slogan is:  Reduce what you can, Offset what you can't.  If we pool our resources we can make a difference.


 

Energy Conservation Links:

 

http://www.advancedenergyonline.com/Resources/index.htm - Advanced Energy Solutions, Inc.
http://www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/PassiveSol.html - Passive
Solar Design


 

General Links:

 

http://www.greencounties.org

http://www.greenmapping.org/about - Openlands Natural Connections Green Infrastructure Mapping Project
http://www.chicagoareaplanning.org/ - Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
http://www.nipc.org/environment/
 -Northeast Illinois Planning Commission

 


 

  Lawn & Garden

Rain Gardens: Capture water that runs off hard surfaces such as roofs, garden sheds, garages and driveways but installing rain gardens. These can be simple depressions at the base of downspouts or alongside driveways and sidewalks. If they are planted with native plants with deep root systems, water will stay out of our storm sewers and rivers and filter down to our DeKalb County aquifer, replenishing our drinking water. Here are some of many websites with “How To” and “Why to” Install information for homeowners.
http://www.raingardennetwork.com/
http://www.raingardens.org/Index.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain_garden

Environmental Services Epo Garden
http://www.dof.virginia.gov/rfb/rain-gardens.shtml
http://www.mninter.net/~stack/rain/
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/growgreen/
http://www.uri.edu/ce/healthylandscapes/raingarden.htm


Resources

 

www.nahb.org/greenbuildingprogram - National Association of Home Builders Program.

www.usgbc.org  - info on the U.S. Green Building Council.

www.buildinggreen.com  - product info, case studies, and technical info.

www.energystar.gov - the U.S. EPA’s Energy Star program provides technical support and product information.

www.greenerbuildings.com - resources for environmentally responsible building development.

www.sbicouncil.org - The Sustainable Building Industries Council’s website offers info on the design, affordability, energy performance, and environmental soundness of residential, institutional, and commercial buildings.

www.edcmag.com - Environmental Design and Construction Magazine offers up-to-date info on green building techniques, materials, and processes.

 


 

Three Green Cities:

 

 

Arlington, Virginia

www.arlingtonva.us/Portals/Topics/TopicsEnvironment.aspx

 

Austin, Texas Green Building Program: 

http://www.austinenergy.com/Energy%20Efficiency/Programs/Green%20Building/index.htm

 

Miami, Florida Office of Sustainable Initiatives:  http://www.miamigov.com/msi/pages/GreenBuildings/default.asp

 


Water Conservation Information

 

http://www.foxriverecosystem.org/ - Fox River Ecosystem Partnership
http://krep.bios.niu.edu/ - Kishwaukee River Ecosystem Partnership
Water Supply Management Options for Northeastern Illinois .
pdf
http://www.sws.uiuc.edu/data.asp - Illinois State Water Survey
http://www.awwa.org/Resources/content.cfm?ItemNumber=29269&navItemNumber=1561

Blackberry Creek Sustainable Development Study
.pdf
Prairie Crossing sustainable Development Lake County, IL
http://www.dekalbilswcd.org/ - DeKalb County Soil and Water District
Natural Resource Conservation Service
http://www.wetlands-initiative.org/ - The Wetlands Initiative
Rock River Basin Assessment
.pdf

Contact Us

Information and Useful Links

Events/Workshops/Seminars

What Your County is Doing

Applications & Forms

 

 


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