Education. Communication. Collaboration.
Building Power for People and the Environment in Illinois
Join us to cultivate an inclusive, equitable, and powerful movement ensuring a healthy environment for all Illinoisans.
Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund
The Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund has convened the state’s environmental movement through education, communication, and collaboration.
Goals and Impacts
Raise Awareness
We raise awareness of key environmental issues by hosting events, tracking legislation, and communicating with the public.
Inform Decision-makers
We create and support informed decision makers through policy education, town halls, and site tours.
Develop Strong Policy
We facilitate policy development for maximum environmental protection by partnering with our affiliates and policy makers.
Effective Education. Stronger Communities.
IECEF is dedicated to telling stories and creating resources Illinoisans need
to build power for people and the environment in Illinois.
StoryMap
A Rural Illinois Community Fights Back Against Factory Farms
By Midstory and IECEF
After hearing that a confined feeding operation was to be constructed within view from her house, Sharon DeWeerth was unsure what this would mean and what she should do about it. So she did her homework, and in doing so, rallied the troops to protect the way of life she and her community had enjoyed for generations.
This StoryMap, produced in partnership with us, the Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund, combines data and narrative to chronicle DeWeerth’s journey of late-night research, neighborhood visits and public hearings as she fought against the proposed CAFO construction. She says she would do it all again in a heartbeat.
Resource
Civics for Environmentalists
IECEF Lunch & Learn
At IECEF, we believe it’s our job to give Illinoisans the knowledge they need to help make our environment stronger and healthier! Civics for Environmentalists is back in session. We’ll equip passionate Illinoisans like you with the insider knowledge, strategies, and skills to make a real, lasting impact.
Blog
Empowering Environmental Champions: 2024 Legislative Tours
By IECEF
Empowering environmental champions in Illinois’ General Assembly requires building strong relationships with our legislators. These educational tours are a critical piece of that work. We share great experiences with our legislators and partners. We even took a record number of tours by canoe this year! From forest preserves in Cook County to farms in southern Illinois, Illinoisans are demonstrating environmental stewardship is alive and well. Read on to see the places we went and the folks who made these tours memorable.
Check out IECEF Chief Programs Officer–Conservation & Agriculture, Lindsay Keeney’s blog on why we started these tours and the value they bring to our movement.
We're Building a Powerful Movement
IECEF coordinates our over 130 affiliate member organizations to share resources, create informed decision makers, and facilitate robust policy development to maximize environmental protection. Learn more about our work in our Environmental Policy 101 Lunch & Learn series.