Mission, Work, and History
Who we are and what we do
Our work
How you can help
Media coverage
Look for us on Facebook!
Urban Habitat Chicago | 
Northside students preparing food bags to be donated
Who we are and what we do
Mission
The mission of Urban Habitat Chicago is to demonstrate the viability of sustainable concepts and practices in urban environments through research, education, and hands-on projects.
We work at the intersections of urban agriculture, the built environment, materials recovery and reuse, and emerging local industries, focusing on creating seamless transitions in the cycles of resources at all scales.
People
The people of UHC are drawn from many professions and interests - architecture & urban planning, biology, product design, interior design, media production, landscape architecture, construction, real estate, and education. UHC is a talented, multidisciplinary team of people that work on a volunteer basis to develop and apply unique solutions to the many challenges presented in cities.
UHC is an all-volunteer, 501c3 tax-exempt, non-profit organization. We are guided by a Board of Directors, which meets monthly, supported by Staff
History
Urban Habitat Chicago (UHC) was formed as a response to prevailing views that human beings are separate from, and often detractors of, the environment. We believe our species is an integral part of the environment, and that we have the power and the mandate to act responsibly at scales ranging from local to global in order to be positive contributors. Since it has been projected that greater than 60% of the world’s population will be concentrated in urban areas by 2030, cities are, increasingly, our particular part of the environment and our particular sphere of influence. Finally, we believe an urban citizenry well-versed in implementing sustainable concepts and practices will be uniquely poised to help lead our nation in facing the immense current and future environmental, economic, and social justice challenges.
UHC was formed in 2004 by a handful of like-minded individuals taking classes at Chicago’s Center for Green Technology who were not satisfied with simply learning about sustainability but who wanted to put these principles into action through actual projects. In 2005, Illinois nonprofit status was sought and granted.
Since 2006, under the leadership of a volunteer Board of Directors, outreach and education expanded, lectures become well-attended, and membership has grown at a very modest rate - we add only those individuals who are deeply committed and whose skillsets appear to be of unique benefit in reinforcing our mission.
In 2007, urban agriculture initiatives became better-established with the addition of a Director of Urban Agriculture. In 2008, with the addition of a Director of Communications & Administrative Assistant, website updates were streamlined and weekly email newsletters keep members and a growing list of the general public informed of UHC (and related) activities. By the close of 2009, UHC has presented its first conference - Chicago 2175: Creating the Change, completed the Joy Garden at Northside College Preparatory High School, presented one full year of challenging lectures, and solidified its organizational structure to better prepare itself for coming opportunities.
After a lot of hardwork and persistance, UHC is proud to have achieved official 501c3 federal tax-exempt non-profit status in the sping of 2011.
Our work
UHC has been involved in a variety of projects from the adaptive reuse of an 1890’s carriage house to alternative materials research to a do-it-yourself method of vegetating derelict urban sites We also focus on outreach and advocacy with several working urban gardens, a regular lecture series, and educational workshops.
We are always looking for new projects and hope to continue our work with green collar job development, other urban agriculture and productive landscape projects, educating professionals and the public on the viability of materials reuse, and the creation of unique and diverse habits within the urban environment - whether on the ground, on a roof, or in the classroom! To read more about the work we have been involved in and continue to do, please take a look at our Projects
READ MORE! Download the Urban Habitat Chicago, about us brochure (PDF format, 720 KB) to learn who we are, what we do, and why we do it. Includes some current project summaries.
PICTURES! We Are Urban Habitat Chicago - the most complete, full-color, uncensored, and all-inclusive slideshow for public consumption that we’ve got!!
VIDEO! We also have several videos explaining our work available for viewing here
How you can help
We need you in order to help make our region a better environment.
UHC is a 501c3 tax-exempt organization that needs your encouragement and support. All contributions are tax-deductible.To find out how you can help, and to learn more about what we do and why, keep looking around our website and visit us often.
Please help support UHC.
You can also help through volunteering! Please check our current volunteer positions here
Media coverage
Rooftop Victory Garden at True Nature Foods
Deconstruction advocacy
PARKing Day 2012
