From UNA-USA:

Become a UNA-USA member, and then attend the 2024 UNA-Great Lakes Region Conference in Chicago Saturday, April 20, at the Polsinelli Law Firm, 150 N. Riverside Plaza, Suite 3000, Chicago.

There will be a panel on water justice and security, caring for our Earth and our “Pure Blue” Region, among other discussions.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/great-lakes-form

From One Earth Film Fest:

One Earth is proud to partner with Kehrein Center for the Arts in Chicago's Austin community for a special International Women's Day presentation and series. This three-event series begins on Friday, March 8. Each event will highlight the work of women of color, both locally and globally, as we illuminate the ways that women work intersectionally and across a range of contexts to support one another in our collective fight for equity, liberation, and economic participation in ways that preserve land, promote economic accessibility, and cause ecological flourishing. Join us for this exciting series to take place between March 8, April 18, and April 19.

April 18: The Kehrein Center presents the second event in our series, "Sustaining Women, Sustaining The World". Fleye, Free, and Forward: An ILAVA Function, is a fashion showcase merging wearable art with social consciousness. Owners Rahel & Mawasi Mwitula present ILAVA’s socially responsible fashion, promoting sustainable living for Tanzanian women. Kelley D. Moseley of K~Fleye jewelry joins to highlight her collections of one-of-one jewelry, accessories and handbags, and share her entrepreneurial journey. Both brands celebrate African & African American styles.

The event culminates in a conversation on the 'glocal' intersections led by Reesheda Graham Washington and the owners of ILAVA and K~FLEYE.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sustaining-women-sustaining-the-world-a-three-part-series-tickets-852668022007

From First United Church of Oak Park:

First United Church of Oak Park invites the public to hear Chicago area environmental leaders such as Naomi Davis of Blacks in Green and Pamela Tate of Climate Reality Project at “Environmental Stewardship/Environmental Justice.” This series will take place in person from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. over the next five Sundays beginning March 3 (and excluding March 31), at 848 Lake St., in Oak Park. Topics include biodiversity, environmental justice, waste, plus local Chicago and Oak Park-vicinity conditions and initiatives. No advance registration is needed. Simply show up each Sunday at First United Church of Oak Park.

Speakers March 17
The Sustainable Square Mile and Black Community Development
Naomi Davis, Founder/CEO, Blacks in Green
Climate Change and Community-Based Environmental Justice
Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco, Climate change, energy, and environment Journalist for WBEZ and Grist

From One Earth Film Fest:

One Earth is proud to partner with Kehrein Center for the Arts in Chicago's Austin community for a special International Women's Day presentation and series. This three-event series begins on Friday, March 8. Each event will highlight the work of women of color, both locally and globally, as we illuminate the ways that women work intersectionally and across a range of contexts to support one another in our collective fight for equity, liberation, and economic participation in ways that preserve land, promote economic accessibility, and cause ecological flourishing. Join us for this exciting series to take place between March 8, April 18, and April 19.

Join us as Ana Garcia-Doyle, executive director of One Earth Collective points us toward the screening of “Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai,” a film that stoically captures the inspiring work of Wangari Maathai and the Kimuka women of Kenya, and the legacy of tree planting toward viability and sustainability in Kenya.

After the film, Reesheda Graham Washington, Executive Director of Kehrein Center for the Arts Foundation, will lead a discussion with Toni Anderson, CEO of Mindful Rant. Anderson, a Southside Chicago native, promotes mindfulness and emergent leadership, fostering clarity and supporting interpersonal connections. She integrates cultural, ecological, and participatory design approaches to empower communities of color towards proactive social change. Anderson is a practitioner of wholeness, a healer, urban ecologist, and spiritualist, planting seeds of freedom through eco-social practices.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sustaining-women-sustaining-the-world-a-three-part-series-tickets-852668022007

From Goethe-Institut Chicago:

The Goethe-Institut Chicago is hosting "Land in Common", an interdisciplinary symposium on land justice, on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 1 to 6 p.m. at The Plant, 1400 W. 46th St., in collaboration with the Chicago Architecture Biennial.

Topics include the ideological underpinnings of the idea of ‘the commons’ and its application in Europe and the US; how urban farms become microcosms for new social worlds; and how civil rights law can combat environmental racism.

The event will conclude with a plant and seed swap, and is free and open to the public. Dinner and drinks available for purchase on-site at The Plant, including Heffer BBQ at Whiner Beer Co.'s Taproom and MeetStop by Ste. Martaen's vegan comfort food.

Reserve your spot: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/land-in-common-tickets-745507441827

From One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest:

On Saturday, Nov. 4, watch 6 short, One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest honorable mention films from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CDT, take a half hour break, and then see 6 more films from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. CDT. We will hear from each filmmaker before their film screens.

Free tickets: https://contesthonmention1.eventbrite.com

Elementary School
1) “Lost But Not Forgotten (4 min)” by Scott Lee from Georgia.
2) “The Salt Solution (5 min)” by Hasan Muhammad from Illinois

Middle School
3) “Invasive Fish in the DesPlaines River (3 min)” by Andrew Thomas Older from Illinois
4) “A Reason for Hope (5 min)” by Mason Mirabile of Virginia

High School
5) “Voices of the Water (8 min)” by Jenny Kim Ha Vu from Virginia
6) “Expedition (3 min)” by Milo Smith, Matthew Wilson, Romeo Keyser from Michigan

From Climate Action Network:

A Celebration of emissions free driving and

Check out EV models, talk to owners, & ask questions about battery range & longevity, charging access & cost, long-distance EV driving, & more Meet local vendors & owners with cargo bikes, adult trikes, e-bikes Food trucks!

If you can't walk or bike to this event, park free at OPRFHS garage at Lake/Scoville For more information, email wgreenhouse@gmail.com.

IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY for INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

From One Earth Film Fest:

Tickets in person at Pilot Project Brewing: https://powerlandspilot.eventbrite.com

IN PERSON: Wednesday, March 8, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. CST
Doors open 30 minutes before start time. Arrive early to avoid lines, check in/register, find best seats and get refreshments.
VIEW & BREW [North]
Pilot Project Brewing
2140 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL
Admission $25 includes an award-winning film, One Earth Film Fest-curated programming, one beverage, and a popcorn bar with fun toppings. Tickets required, seating is limited.
(A special creative menu with healthy, delicious fare and assorted beverages will be available to purchase separately.)

Tickets in person at Oak Park Public Library: https://powerlandsoakparklibrary.eventbrite.com

IN PERSON: Wednesday, March 8, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Central Standard Time
Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., Veterans’ Room
Oak Park, IL [W Suburbs]
Doors open 30 minutes before start time. Arrive early to avoid lines, check in/register, and get best seats. ADA compliant accessible venue.

Tickets virtually: https://powerlandsvirtual.eventbrite.com

VIRTUAL: Wednesday, March 8, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Central Standard Time

Tickets available to North American viewers only. Virtual watch party “doors” open 15 minutes before start time.

Ivey Camille Manybeads Tso/2022/77 min/Energy, Environmental & Social Justice, People & Culture, Historical Perspectives

CHICAGO-AREA PREMIERE. FILM DESCRIPTION: A young Navajo filmmaker investigates displacement of Indigenous people and devastation of the environment caused by the same chemical companies that have exploited the land where she was born. On this personal and political journey she learns from Indigenous activists across three continents.

AWARDS: 1) 2022 Rigoberta Menchú Grand. 2) 2022 Best Feature, American Documentary & Animation Film Festival (AmDocs). 3) Red Nation International Film Festival. 4) Best Feature, American Indian Film Festival. 5) Best Director/Inspiration Award, Fist Up Film Festival. 6) Best Cinematography, Tacoma Film Festival. 7) Best Environmental Film, Arizona International Film Festival.

"PG-13" May contain heavy themes, graphic images or language.

Post-film discussion will be streamed to virtual watch party and in person to Pilot Project Brewing and Oak Park Library.

Facilitator:

• Reesheda Graham Washington, Principal, RGW Consulting & The Blackberry Collection

Panelist:

• Ivey-Camille Manybeads Tso, Director Powerlands

The 6-minute film “Vandals” by Suzie Kang, April Chang, and Emily Wong will screen prior to the feature film. “Vandals” won the top post-grad prize in the 2020 One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest.

IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY

From One Earth Film Fest:

Tickets in person at Southeast Environmental Task Force: https://noclimatewastelandsetf.eventbrite.com

IN PERSON: Tuesday, March 7, 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Central Standard Time
Southeast Environmental Task Force
13300 S. Baltimore Ave., Chicago,IL [South]

Doors open 60 minutes before start time. Arrive early to avoid lines, check in/register, visit with action partners, and get best seats. Refreshments available for purchase. ADA compliant accessible venue.

Tickets in person at McKinley Park Fieldhouse: https://noclimatesheddmckinley.eventbrite.com

IN PERSON: Tuesday, March 7, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Central Standard Time
McKinley Park Fieldhouse, 2210 W. Pershing Rd., Chicago [South]
The entrance to the building is located on the opposite side from the parking lot, on the north side, facing into the park. Doors open 60 minutes before start time. Arrive early to avoid lines, check in/register, enjoy refreshments, and get best seats. ADA compliant accessible venue. A collaboration of Shedd Aquarium in partnership with Chicago Park District's McKinley Park.

Tickets in person at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church: https://wastelandgoodshepherd.eventbrite.com

IN PERSON: Tuesday, March 7, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Central Standard Time
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
611 Randolph St., Oak Park, IL [W Suburbs]

Doors open 60 minutes before start time. Arrive early to avoid lines, check in/register, get best seats, and peruse a Green Home Fair focused on food/gardening and affordable/clean home energy in the basement along with refreshments. A collaboration with Oak Park Climate Action Network. ADA compliant accessible venue.

Entrance for those not wishing to use stairs is on NW corner of building. Elevator from entrance to the basement for the Green Fair or to the Sanctuary for the film. A seamless t-coil system transmits signals directly from the microphone to a hearing aid. Please see an on-site volunteer for assistance.

Tickets virtually: https://wastelandnoclimatevirtual.eventbrite.com

VIRTUAL: Tuesday, March 7, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Central Standard Time

Virtual watch party “doors” open 15 minutes before start time.

NO CLIMATE.NO EQUITY. NO DEAL.

Fenell Doremus, Danny Alpert/2022/21 min/Environmental & Social Justice, Climate Change, Energy, Environmental Advocacy

FILM DESCRIPTION: This film follows the grassroots movements in Illinois that led to the passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. According to the Illinois Government, the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act puts Illinois “on a path toward 100% clean energy [by 2050], invests in training a diverse workforce for the jobs of the future, institutes key ratepayer and residential customer protections, and prioritizes meaningful ethics and transparency reforms. Illinois is the first state in the Midwest to enact legislation to combat the climate crisis and build an economy for the future.” 

WASTELAND: IOWA

Elisa Cambino/2022/28 min/Environmental & Social Justice, Health & Environment, Environmental Advocacy, Food & Agriculture

FILM DESCRIPTION: For more than 150 years farmers in Iowa have been raising corn & pigs and the people of Iowa have been drinking untreated water from rivers polluted with nitrogen fertilizers, pesticides and livestock excrement. In a state where Big Ag wields massive power and influence, will the residents and local officials' concerns be heard?

The 5-minute film “Take Action Against Lead” by Lion Eli Birnecker will screen before these feature films. Lion won the top middle school prize in the 2022 One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest.

Teens and young adults encouraged to attend these screenings.

Post-film discussion will be streamed to virtual watch party and to in person locations at Southeast Environmental Task Force, McKinley Park and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Facilitator for Wasteland: Iowa and No Climate. No Equity. No Deal.

Dorie Ellzey Blesoff, Consultant, Coach, Facilitator; Adjunct Faculty, Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy

Panelists for Wasteland: Iowa:

• Elisa Gambino, Director, Wasteland Iowa

• Emma Schmit, Senior Organizer, Food & Water Watch; Film Subject, Wasteland Iowa

Intro to No Climate. No Equity. No Deal.

• Trevor Tejeda-Gervais, Producer, No Climate. No Equity. No Deal.

Panelists for No Climate. No Equity. No Deal:

• Eduardo Flores, Co-Chair, Clean Power Lake County; Film Subject, No Climate. No Equity. No Deal.

• Delmar Gillus, Chief Operating Officer, Elevate; Film Subject, No Climate. No Equity. No Deal.

• Angela Tovar, Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Chicago

From Equiticity:

A series of six Community Mobility Rituals (CMR's) that offer full immersion into exploring natural areas, history, culture, and connection to community. The walks will be conversational, with many opportunities for stops and discussion, and deep explorations within the park.

Every second Sunday May through October, 2022.
10:30am meet / 11am -2:30pm walk

Sunday, October 9, 2022
Air Element: A Grand Rising of Power
Douglass Park, 1401 S Sacramento Avenue
Chicago, IL 60623

Register: https://events.eventnoire.com/e/nature-of-magic-walk-series

From the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest:

Celebrate our 10th Birthday with us! See the 10 best films from the past 10 years of the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest. Choose to attend in person at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St., in Chicago, or stream online simultaneously on Sunday, Sept. 18, at 11:30 a.m. CDT (for those attending in person, there will be free popcorn and hot chocolate or coffee).

Since 2013, the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest has awarded over 100 prizes to short environmental films from youth age 25 down to 3rd grade. A jury of 9 environmental and film professionals selected the final, top films from students across the country. Each film is 2 to 8 minutes long and ranges from animation to live action. Meet these young filmmakers in person or online, hear where they are today, and see their extraordinary films.

In person free tickets at Gene Siskel Film Center: https://10bestofthebestinperson.eventbrite.com

Virtual tickets: https://10bestofthebestvirtual.eventbrite.com

Hunter Harding, 'The Chase' (6 min)

• Suzie Kang, 'Vandals' (6 min)

• Sezgin Yüzay, 'Scent/Koku' (5 min)

• Tim DeBlois, 'Endangered' (4 min)

• Oriana Camara, 'Yasuni National Park: The Real Power Belongs to the People' (7 min)

• Chingtien Chu, 'Verge' (3 min)

• Zachary Goodwin, Flynn Harris, Alex Flanagan, Alex Kumph, 'Eyes' (6.5 min)

• Samantha Lane, 'Spell of the West' (7 min)

• Nathan Goswick, 'Environmental Racism' (3 min)

• Tara Gupta, 'Lucy' (2 min)

  Thank you to our jury: Felice Bassuk, Amy Brinkman, Lisa Daleiden-Brugman, Monica Fox, Bill Gee, Patrick Thomas Keen, Jennifer Maiotti, Julie Moller, and James Rohn.

From Equiticity:

A series of six Community Mobility Rituals (CMR's) that offer full immersion into exploring natural areas, history, culture, and connection to community. The walks will be conversational, with many opportunities for stops and discussion, and deep explorations within the park.

Every second Sunday May through October, 2022.
10:30am meet / 11am -12:30pm walk

Sunday, September 11, 2022
Metal Element: A Courageous Exploration of Connection
Washington Park, 5531 S Martin Luther King Drive
Chicago, IL 60637

Register: https://events.eventnoire.com/e/nature-of-magic-walk-series

From Equiticity:

A series of six Community Mobility Rituals (CMR's) that offer full immersion into exploring natural areas, history, culture, and connection to community. The walks will be conversational, with many opportunities for stops and discussion, and deep explorations within the park.

Every second Sunday May through October, 2022.
10:30am meet / 11am -12:30pm walk
Sunday, August 14, 2022
Fire Element: An Alchemical Transformation
Garfield Park, 100 N Central Park Avenue
Chicago, IL 60624

Register: https://events.eventnoire.com/e/nature-of-magic-walk-series

FREE MOVIE IN A GARDEN hosted by Austin Eats and partners. Rain date is Thursday, July 28. This is an in person event only.

Join us for an award-winning film, food, fun, and freebies. Bring a friend and a blanket or chair. Cooking demos, free food, chef talks, garden tours, raffles and more.

Film is appropriate for adult and general audiences, including youth middle school and above.

FILM DESCRIPTION (52 min): Black food is American food. Chef and writer Stephen Satterfield traces the delicious, moving throughlines from Africa to Texas in this docuseries "High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America (2021)." We will watch episode 2 "The Rice Kingdom." In the Carolinas, Stephen looks at the human cost of rice and goes whole hog with Gullah chef BJ Dennis and those preserving Black culinary traditions.

Get free tickets: https://highonthehogatrosiesgarden.eventbrite.com

This event is part of Austin Eats, a collaborative working to rewrite the narrative around food in Chicago's Austin community. By synergizing organizations already promoting healthier food choices through grocery access, culinary entrepreneurship, food education, community gardens, and urban farms, Austin Eats will recreate Austin’s food access ecosystem.

From Equiticity:

A series of six Community Mobility Rituals (CMR's) that offer full immersion into exploring natural areas, history, culture, and connection to community. The walks will be conversational, with many opportunities for stops and discussion, and deep explorations within the park.

Every second Sunday May through October, 2022.
10:30am meet / 11am -12:30pm walk

Sunday July 10, 2022
Water Element: A Flowing Rhythm of Movement
Humboldt Park, 1400 N Humboldt Drive
Chicago, IL 60622

Register: https://events.eventnoire.com/e/nature-of-magic-walk-series

From Equiticity:

A series of six Community Mobility Rituals (CMR's) that offer full immersion into exploring natural areas, history, culture, and connection to community. The walks will be conversational, with many opportunities for stops and discussion, and deep explorations within the park.

Every second Sunday May through October, 2022.
10:30am meet / 11am -2:30pm walk

June 12: Featuring a community workshop with Maplibs
Earth Element: A Grounding in Community

Register: https://events.eventnoire.com/e/nature-of-magic-walk-series

From Chicago Wilderness:

Join your peers to gain understanding of why inequities exist so we can do something about them.

Cream City Conservation will help the Chicago Wilderness community examine the disproportionate impacts of environmental hazards faced by communities of color, who are grossly under-represented in spaces that hold key decision-making power related to conservation and sustainability.

Register here: https://www.chicagowilderness.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1565765&group=

From Chicago Wilderness:

Join your peers to gain understanding of why inequities exist so we can do something about them.

Cream City Conservation will help the Chicago Wilderness community examine the disproportionate impacts of environmental hazards faced by communities of color, who are grossly under-represented in spaces that hold key decision-making power related to conservation and sustainability.

Register here: https://www.chicagowilderness.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1565765&group=

Inspire environmental change or action through film. One Earth Film Festival seeks short, 3- to 8-minute environmental films from youth in third grade through age 25 for the Young Filmmakers Contest. Animated films of 45-seconds minimum are also accepted. Rules are more relaxed for those in grade 12 and up, and prizes have expanded. There are four $1,000 top prizes for live action, animation, creativity, and post grad categories, as well as several $500 activism awards. Deadline is Jan.5, 2022. Submission is easy on Film Freeway. Learn more here: https://www.oneearthfilmfest.org/contest-details

From Food & Water Watch and One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest:

Food & Water Watch (FWW) invites planet lovers to “Voices of the Future: Youth Film Screening” on Wednesday Nov. 17, at 6 p.m. Central Time. In collaboration with the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest, FWW will screen three, short, winning, contest films that explore issues of food security, air quality and environmental justice, and protecting bee populations.

After screening the films, there will be a discussion with the filmmakers about what drives their passion for these issues, how film can be a powerful tool for activism, and why it’s so important for youth voices to take center stage in conversations about climate activism.

Register here.

From Chicago Wilderness:

Join your peers to gain understanding of why inequities exist so we can do something about them.

Cream City Conservation will help the Chicago Wilderness community examine the disproportionate impacts of environmental hazards faced by communities of color, who are grossly under-represented in spaces that hold key decision-making power related to conservation and sustainability.

Register here: https://www.chicagowilderness.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1558503&group=