Welcome to GreenNet's Website

GreenNet Is...

A coalition of nonprofit organizations and public agencies committed to sharing information and resources serving as a clearinghouse for information about greening in Chicago and developing joint efforts to improve the quality, amount, use, and wide geographic distribution of sustainable, green open space in the City of Chicago.

Spring is Here!

Thanks to everyone who helped make this year's Green and Growing Fair the best yet! The fair is passed, but check out the link below for more info and see you next year, April 30th 2011 for our 19th annual Green and Growing Fair!

GreenNet's Green and Growing Fair

This is our annual Fundraiser so come support the people who volunteer to make Chicago beautiful!

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It's One Seed Chicago Time! Bee Balm is 2010's One Seed Chicago! For more information and to get your free seeds check out the OneSeedChicago website:

OneSeedChicago.com

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2009's Community Greener of the Year is

-Betty Redmond-

of Bowmanville Community Garden, Westage, and
New Gateway Gardens @ Ravenswood & Barmoral

1st Runner Up:

Leianna Gary
of The Cottage Grove Planters

2nd Runner Up:

Gerry Jaecks
of Waters School Community Gardens, Riverbank Neighbors

Youth Greener of the Year:

-Andres Villanueva-

of Xochiquetzal Peace Garden

1st Runner Up Youth Greener of the Year:

Gabriel Armani Segee
of L.B.L.A. - R. Block Club Assoication

Friend to Community Greeners Award goes to:

-Ellen Newcomer-

1st Runner Up Friend to Community Greeners:

Ena Kumar
of Fulton Street Flower & Garden

In addition, we'd like to honor the gardeners who did not win, but were so admired and appreciated that they were nominated. Look for future Greeners of the Year among them!

Nominated for Gardener of the Year:

• Maureen Taylor of Tripp Neighbor's Garden
• Barbara Lopez of Logandale Middle School Garden
• Enriqueta Cabral of Home Garden
• Rev. John Harris of Berean Birthday Garden
• Gregory Bratton of Green Lots Project
• Gabriela Zamora of Xochiquetzal Peace Garden
• June Bethley of 120th Block Community Gardener
• Jimmy Fernandez of Hoxie Prairie Garden
• Dora Etta Burwell of LBLA R Block Club Association

Thank you all!

Jerry Jaecks receives his runner-up award for Greener of the Year 2009 from GreenNet's Meredith Sessions

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Saturday's Harvest Potluck was a lovely lunch with a hardy spread of delectable dishes. Numerous gardeners brought photos of their gardens and shared stories. A special thanks to Hoxie Prairie Garden who donated Calla Lilly bulbs.

Many Gardens signed up to be on the new GreenNet Map to help volunteers find them and to help get the word out about events and resources.

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MiniGrants:

Unfortunately, there are NO GreenNet MiniGrants this year! For a few other grant opportunities, check out our Links page.

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What we do...

• Provide opportunities for members and their constituencies to exchange ideas and share upcoming projects
• Increase public awareness of community gardening in Chicago
• Advocate for environmentally sound management of urban open space
• Address current issues in urban greening such as: food security, soil contamination, water conservation, ecological restoration and resource access
• Sponsor events, speakers and special events including the annual Green and Growing Fair
• Collaborate on issues across agency and organizational boundaries on community managed open space during quarterly membership meetings
• Provide a calendar and newsletter for events of interest around community greening, including Green Pages, contact information of the green industry for community gardeners.

Contact Us