Climate Coach Program

Are you interested in helping Highland Park residents reduce their carbon emissions to help mitigate the effects of climate change?

Have you made upgrades to your home, yard, or lifestyle to reduce your environmental impact?

Consider sharing your expertise as a part of Go Green Highland Park’s new Climate Coach program! Through this program, presented in partnership with the City of Highland Park Sustainability Advisory Group, volunteer Climate Coaches will share their experience and expertise in different areas. This is inspired by a similar program started in Oak Park. Example topics include: electrifying your home, planting native gardens, installing solar energy or heat pumps, purchasing an electric vehicle, insulating drafty homes and more. 

Environmental Book Discussion:
A Sand County Almanac, by Aldo Leopold
Curt’s Cafe, 1766 2nd St, Highland Park
Thursday, April 24, 1:30-3:00 pm

Join us during Earth Week to discuss A Sand County Almanac, by Aldo Leopold. The book, “achieved prominence around the first Earth Day in 1970 and has been reborn for Earth Day 50. Through science, history, humor and prose, Leopold uses A Sand County Almanac and its call for a land ethic to communicate the true connection between people and the natural world. The hope: that readers will begin to treat the land with the love and respect that it deserves.” – The Aldo Leopold Foundation.

This book discussion will be held at Curt’s Cafe. Join us at 1766 2nd St, Highland Park, IL.

2025 Arbor Day Celebration

Ravinia Festival: West Parking Lot
(Entrance off of Green Bay Road)
301 Ravinia Park Rd

Saturday, May 3
9:00-11:00 am

• Plant & Tree Giveaways to green up your home & garden
• Tree Planting Demonstration/Q & A Session
• “Meet & Greet” with birds of prey hosted by Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab & Education
• Touch-A-Truck Exhibit
• Hefty ReNew Recycling Starter Kit Giveaway
• Confidential Document Shredding (No businesses; limit four banker’s boxes/bags per vehicle)
• Bicycle Recycling courtesy of Working Bikes(Adult bikes accepted in repairable condition or gently-used kids bikes, bike parts, tools, and accessories)
• Electric Vehicle Showcase-Find a list of participating vehicles here.
  

Compost Give-Back

Hidden Creek Aquapark Lot

1220 Fredrickson Place, HP

Saturday, May 10, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 pm 

Celebrate International Compost Awareness Week with Go Green HP, SWALCO, the City of HP and PDHP. Bring your own buckets and come gather up to 20 gallons of local, nutrient-rich compost, made from our curbside food scraps and yard waste! Add a scoop to your planters and garden beds this spring to boost growth and increase water retention. Shovels will be provided.
No early birds, please. Due to the increased popularity of this event, we are asking folks to adhere to the 20 gallons per household limit this year so everyone is able to benefit from this wonderful soil amendment. Schools, community centers, and houses of worship, with gardens, are welcome to participate. 

A Digital Diet for Carbon Reduction

Thank you to everyone who braved the weather to join us for our Digital Diet Program. And thank you to the Highland Park Public Library for hosting us. Attendees were able to free up storage alongside our presenter and started dropping carbon pounds instantly, it was a fun and informative night. This presentation was only available in-person due to the workshop format, but if you missed the event you can still check out the information by clicking the buttons below.