Documenting the environmental stewardship programs of local organizations, highlighting the communities that come together to make our world a better place.

A volunteer poses during a cleanup event with Friends of the Chicago River.
Volunteers during a cleanup event with Friends of the Chicago River.
Cleaning up the Chicago River is hard work, something that Friends of the Chicago River have been doing for over 40 years. When the weather is better, Friends hosts regular cleanup events — bringing together like-minded volunteers to help with the effort.
A volunteer participates in Osterman Beach Stewardship Days, planting native species along the coast of Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois.
June Grass, before and after it was planted at Osterman Beach.
Restoring native plant populations at Osterman Beach in Chicago, Illinois.
Alderman James Cappleman, center, speaks to volunteers during a cleanup event at Montrose Beach in Chicago, Illinois.
A close-up view of plastic debris during a cleanup event at Montrose Beach in Chicago, Illinois.
Volunteers pose during a cleanup event at Montrose Beach in Chicago, Illinois.
A close-up view of microplastics at Montrose Beach in Chicago, Illinois.
Karen Canales Salas, center, gives an educational talk about the urban redevelopment her neighborhood as seen. As an education coordinator for the nonprofit Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO), Salas regularly gives toxic tours of the redeveloped brownfield and superfund sites that are located in her neighborhood.