Sustainability focuses on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. At Oakton, we recognize how important this mindset is and understand the value of being environmentally and socially responsible.
We are proud to have been named the Silver Winner of the 2019 Midwest Region Sustainability Award by the Institute for Supply Management-Chicago (ISM-Chicago), the Gold Winner of the 2018 Environmental Sustainability Award from the Village of Glenview, and the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) College Leadership and Sustainability Award in 2017.
For you, our efforts mean that you'll get to learn and work in a truly green environment—literally in the case of our Des Plaines campus, which sits among 100 acres of natural areas (see more below). Maybe you'll take science or nursing classes at the energy-efficient Margaret Burke Lee Science and Health Careers Center, certified LEED Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for its use of recycled building materials and renewable energy. Or perhaps you’ll earn general education credits while completing our environmental studies concentration. We encourage you to refill water bottles at our hydration stations, take part in near-zero waste events, charge your electric vehicles, and more.
Our efforts extend to our community as well. Each year, we grow hundreds of pounds of organic produce in the community garden at the Des Plaines campus and donate the harvest to local food pantries and community partners. We hold annual Earth Week and Campus Sustainability Month events where we invite participants to raise their awareness of environmental and social justice issues, take part in ecological restoration on campus, and participate in other conservation efforts. We also understand the importance of our purchasing power, so Oakton prioritizes the purchase of environmentally-sound products and sustainable services, sourced from locally owned and/or disadvantaged businesses, whenever possible. Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) funds were used to purchase the solar table seen in the image right of this.
Community Support Resources
You can donate books to the Skokie Public Library.
By adopting honeybees, we are helping change people’s perspective of the urban environment and reconnecting our community with the subtle wonders of nature.
Oakton is an active member of the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN). Funds awarded by IGEN are utilized to drive the growth of clean energy economy and workforce. Oakton used their funds to purchase an interactive solar table. Charge your phone, take an online class, or relax at this table on the Oakton peninsula on the Des Plaines campus.
A STARS Bronze rating indicates a significant level of sustainability achievement for a college participating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS).
Each of us plays a role in creating a more sustainable world. If you are interested in engaging more deeply with other students who care about environmental and social responsibility, check out these student-led clubs!
The Environmental Club organizes community clean-up, ecological restoration, and gardening events.
Students for Social Justice garner awareness of global injustices. They were also pivotal in launching Oakton's plastic water bottle ban.
If you are interested in spending time in the natural areas on campus as a restoration volunteer, seeking a fun, educational nature/wellness experience for your class, group, or school, or simply have any questions related to our natural spaces, reach out to our naturalist, Amanda Krause. She believes that nature is for everyone and is happy to work with anyone who is willing to help, regardless of experience.
Need volunteer hours? Contact Delaney Malloy for opportunities in the Oakton Community Garden.
Do you have ideas for how we can be more sustainable in our practices? We welcome ideas and suggestions through our Sustainability Suggestion Box at the bottom of this page.
"Sustainability has been my advocacy for a long time, but it used to just be the basics—like don’t use a single straw. When I started working on the STARS project, I realized how much more there is to it. STARS is a report done by universities and colleges nationwide where they must report the sustainability efforts and projects that they’ve done through academic, operations and social."
Marga Martinez
"It would be nice to leave my mark on Oakton. I rescued some monarch butterflies and released them on campus. This work is a 'thank you' to this planet that has created me and everything I've ever loved. I'm happy to assist this planet in restoring itself."
Sanele Stewart
Oakton’s Natural Areas
Oakton is home to over 100 acres of natural areas, most of which are increasingly rare virgin remnant ecosystems. These special areas are living museums which allow us to step back in time to how Chicagoland looked pre-European colonization.
Our Des Plaines campus is nestled between the Des Plaines River to the west, and award-winning Forest Preserves of Cook County on all other sides. By preserving our native ecosystems, we provide critical pathways connecting the FPCC lands together to increase biodiversity and prevent extinctions.
Our Skokie campus is a prime example of how to convert typical suburban landscapes into vibran wildlife gardens full of birds and butterflies. In addition to increasingly replacing resource-draining lawns with low-maintenance native plants, our Grounds in Skokie provide areas for Community Gardens and a Community Apiary.
At both campuses, we are delighted to work with students, staff, faculty, and the community at large to experience the abundant benefits of Nature. Our rare and wonderful natural resources include:
Over 400 species of plants, shrubs, and trees
Hundreds of species of native mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians
A huge diversity of insects, including native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
Hundreds of species of migratory songbirds passing through along the Des Plaines River Corridor
Diverse and bountiful oak and hickory woodland ecosystem
Reconstructed tallgrass prairies and wetlands
A historic sugar maple grove in which we continue a thousand year tradition of tapping trees to produce maple syrup
Stewardship for the Future
At Oakton, we are committed to fostering stewardship through ecological restoration: the process of reversing human-imposed damage to a natural landscape and helping it to recover. We use a variety of scientifically proven methods to restore ecosystems that include invasive plant removal, prescribed burns, collecting native plant seeds, planting native plants, and monitoring wildlife.
These guidelines were finalized in May of 2016 by the Sustainability Center & Green Committee. They continue to guide us today in our efforts to promote and create a sustainable campus.
"At Oakton College, we understand we are part of a diverse landscape and ecosystem. Sustainable use of resources is important not just for the college's operations, but for the communities to which we are connected. We believe sustainable leadership through action, academic practices and social experiences on campus are integral to helping our students become mindful global citizens. With this understanding, we commit to:
Providing opportunities for student learning and engagement through sustainability-related course content, curriculum and extra-curricular involvement.
Making climate action a priority for the college by tracking energy usage and improving efficiency, promoting the use of renewable resources, following green building guidelines and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
As a commuter college, recognizing the impact of transportation costs on our local and global environment and promoting sustainable transportation opportunities for students, employees and visitors.
Reducing our use of resources, increasing diversion efforts and managing waste in an efficient and sustainable manner.
Developing and maintaining a sustainable purchasing plan which includes all materials, systems and services secured for campus operations including, but not limited to office materials, food services and recycled products.
Maintaining, managing and restoring natural areas on our campuses and protecting the wildlife habitats and ecosystem functions therein and serving our community through our gardens."
Sustainability Suggestion Box
Do you have an idea for how Oakton College can be more green? We want to hear it! Send us your suggestions.
in the community garden at the Des Plaines campus and donate the harvest to local food pantries and community partners. We hold annual Earth Week and Campus Sustainability Month events where we invite participants to raise their awareness of environmental and social justice issues, take part in ecological restoration on campus, and participate in other conservation efforts. We also understand the importance of our purchasing power, so Oakton prioritizes the purchase of environmentally-sound products and sustainable services, sourced from locally owned and/or disadvantaged businesses, whenever possible. Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) funds were used to purchase the solar table seen in the image right of this.
Oakton is home to over 100 acres of natural areas, most of which are increasingly rare virgin remnant ecosystems. These special areas are living museums which allow us to step back in time to how Chicagoland looked pre-European colonization.
wildlife gardens full of birds and butterflies. In addition to increasingly replacing resource-draining lawns with low-maintenance native plants, our Grounds in Skokie provide areas for Community Gardens and a Community Apiary.