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Lake Michigan: Location - Osterman Beach

Multi-Year Strategic Plans for EESP

2020 and Beyond: Our Action Plan provides a strategic framework for the next period of work on the community's transition to sustainability & actions on environmental issues.

In May 2021, we presented an updated strategic plan in the form of strategic intentions.  

Strategic Intentions for 2021 and following 5-10 years

Serve as a community voice on environmental issues
  • Develop an annual advocacy agenda to advance and support key advocacy issues
  • Participate in local, state and federal lobby days
  • Connect community partners and public officials, with a priority in Edgewater, but also across the city and at the state and federal levels
  • Reach out and engage with elected officials toward advocacy goals
  • Participate in large-scale efforts to promote action on climate
  • Educate the public and become a repository of green information resources

Advance tangible solutions for environmental challenges in our community
  • Together, model and implement initiatives in green building and infrastructure, waste reduction, sustainable transportation and renewable energy
  • Enhance biodiversity and resiliency by cultivating and maintaining local natural ecosystems
  • Become a model for other Chicago communities
  • Explore pilot projects, including creating a verdant circular economy
  • Create a data baseline and consolidate, update and maintain environmental measures 

Align program activities with available resources
  • Consider formalizing a leadership structure to ensure continuity, management of workload and provide further opportunities for involvement
  • Ensure equity, inclusion, environmental justice and anti-racism are at the forefront
  • Develop an annual expense budget to reflect program priorities
  • Identify an annual fundraising goal to match expense budget
  • Seek opportunities to raise organizational profile, expand email list and increase social media engagement and web traffic

Provide opportunities and resources for direct action by community members
  • Continue the garden grants and tree-planting program
  • Continue clean-and-green days and invite more participation
  • Maintain stewardship of Osterman Beach dunes area and identify new opportunities to restore green space
  • Welcome new opportunities for direct action

Focus on intentional partnership development to advance the above green initiatives
  • Scan Edgewater for potential partnerships with schools, block clubs, faith-based organizations, other nonprofits and businesses
  • Share new strategy and brand with current partners via one-on-one stakeholder conversations
  • Continue to be a resource to any organization and remain open to input from any individual or organization looking to bring environmental issues to EEC’s attention
​2018-20 - Strategic Plan Update  The Final Plan from the volunteers who attended the four strategy sessions was put together by the Institute for Cultural Affairs facilitating team.  The details on the meetings and progression of the updated plan is posted on: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N9MCmvL-B0Ychnq55QY9qsxvw8SppInH/view?usp=sharing
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2015 - Strategic Plan/5th Year Adjustment
1. Youth & Adult Outreach & Involvement - Activities, Tours & Presentations                 
Examples:  
  • Go Edgewater Tours of area with focus on environment, history, sustainable development and business support;
  • Arbor Day Education & Celebration at  local Elementary Schools;
  • University Students participation in Earth Day and other events;
  • Involvement with students on projects and class presentations

2. Action & Information on Sustainable Issues - Guidelines & Input; Forums; Education ​
Examples: 
  • EESP provides environmental & sustainability input to  the following -  Local Aldermen on developments; the CTA on Red Line Renovation; the North Lake Shore Drive Planning Team for Phase I planning; 
  • EESP voted support of Openlands Urban Forest Advisory Council;
  • EESP provided the Alderman with "Guidelines for Sustainable Development";
  • Co-Hosted the following presentations:  Lead Forum; Climate Change Workshop & What We Can Do;
  • Support Vote for legislative change such as: Illinois Clean Jobs Bill, and for implementation of Plastic Bag tax  
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2. Multi-Media Publicity for Public Action & Education ​            
Examples:
  • SustainEdgewater.org Website;
  • Edgewater Environmental Sustainability Project  & Go Edgewater Facebook pages;
  • Tips and articles in the 48th Ward & other Public Official's Newsletters;
  • Interviews with media

EESP 2015 Goals - Outreach Activity
1. EESP will be one of the Edgewater community's leading advocates for environmental issues
​Examples:  
  • Cooperative work with Block Clubs and Openlands on protection of tree canopy; 
  •  Worked with the Overhead Project LLC to bring solar panel funding for non profits;
  • Provided grants to local residents to beautify parkway corners; volunteers work with park, garden & tree groups                              
2. EESP volunteers will collaborate with other like minded community groups, schools & universities, businesses and faith groups in Edgewater and in the Chicago area. ​​            
Examples:  
  • Cooperative projects with Loyola University and Senn High School
  • Representatives of EESP active with Accelerate 77 Environmental Group; West Ridge Nature Preserve, Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, Senn Park Advisory Council, Edgewater Historical Society, Faith in Place etc
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2010 Launch of Edgewater2020  The strategy, goals and a broad timeline from 2010 to 2020 were published in a 40 page document that is the base for this web site and goals outlined in each Project page.  In 2015 and again in 2018 EESP volunteers met to review the status of the original plan and work on updated & focused strategy to meet changing times.