Reprinted with permission from the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation.
The PlanItGreen Sustainability Plan for Oak Park and River Forest – was created through compiling baseline data and holding many community forums, led by Seven Generations Ahead in collaboration with the Delta Institute. The planning was funded primarily by the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation’s Communityworks Endowment Fund. Communityworks has three priority areas, including Environmental Sustainability. PlanItGreen was established as a 10 year plan in this area, beginning in 2011. Thus, we are half-way through the Plan.
Please read the report PDF by the Foundation which summarizes the impact of the plan over the past five years. What is captured in the summary is just a glimpse into what many of our community institutions, organizations and community residents have done to achieve the goals of the Plan. Thank you for everything you have done.
Looking forward, there is still much to do. As it approaches its 6th year of implementation, PlanItGreen through its Indicators and plan revision committee is reviewing and revising its goals, indicators and strategies to ensure that the plan continues to consider the current local and global context for sustainability. Areas which are likely to be adjusted include:
Expansion of outreach to residents through Green Guides and the Interfaith Green Network.
Adjustment of goals for greenhouse gas emissions, so as to exceed goals set by the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP 21 held in Paris.
Increased attention to climate change adaptation strategy implementation.
Inclusion of local sustainable economy and food metrics.
Expanded project development and metrics related to large-scale Community Solar.
Comprehensive Zero Waste planning and implementation.