Go Green

Green Surfing: A List of Web Links

Here's a list of helpful Web sites related to environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Can you recommend an informative site? Contact Dave Fink, Public Relations, at dfink@clcillinois.edu.

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Recycling

• Solid Waste Agency of Lake County
  Coordinates a regional approach to solid waste management, including public education; Web site has curbside recycling guidelines for Lake County residents.
• Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County
  Loaded with tips on recycling, appliance rebates, managing household chemical waste and more.
• Waste Management, Inc.
  One of North America's largest haulers of garbage and recyclables, this company services many Lake County homes and businesses. This Web site has a list of items that can and cannot be placed in your recycling bin.

Mass Transit/Carpooling

• E-rideshare
  National Web site dedicated to matching carpoolers.
• Illinois Carpool
  Carpooling site more specific to Illinois.
• Metra
  View train schedules.
• Pace bus
• Regional Transportation Authority
  Created in 1974, this special unit of government oversees the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace. The RTA also has responsibility for regional transit planning issues.

Energy Conservation

• Commonwealth Edison (ComEd)
  Has energy-saving tips for home and business.
• U.S. Department of Energy
  Contains energy-management guidelines for homes and businesses; explains the ENERGY STAR rating and how to find an ENERGY STAR builder.

Water Usage/Conservation

• Water Use It Wisely
  This Phoenix, AZ.-based Web site has 100 water-conservation tips and links to dozens of water-related sites

Landscaping with Native Plants

• U.S. EPA

Green Building Practices

• U.S. Green Building Council
  This Washington D.C.-based nonprofit organization promotes cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. The council created the popular building-certification system known as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

County Agencies

• Lake County
  Online guide to county services, including those related to the environment. A color-coded, real-time traffic map is available. For water-quality reports on inland lakes, and practical lake-conservation tips, visit the county Health Department/Lakes Management Unit Web site.
• Soil and Water Conservation District of Lake County
  Located in Grayslake, the office sells rain barrels, composters and performs soil tests if your lawn or garden has growing problems.
• Lake County Forest Preserve District
  Offers guided nature hikes and other educational workshops at preserves across the county; provides volunteer opportunities on everything from monitoring frog populations to removing invasive plant species.
• University of Illinois Extension—Lake County Office
  Offers educational programs in five areas, including environmental stewardship and sustainable food production.

State Agencies

• IL Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
• IL Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)

Federal Agencies

• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
• USDA-Forest Service
• U.S. Department of Interior
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• U.S. National Park Service

Other Organizations

• Illinois Community College Sustainability Network
  Established in 2007, the Illinois Community College Sustainability Network (ICCSN) is a consortium of all 48 Illinois community colleges dedicated to providing the training and expertise to engage in the new energy economy.
• Nature Conservancy
  Founded in 1951, the Conservancy is a leading organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.
• Sierra Club
  Founded in 1892, the Sierra Club is one of the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States.