About Greencorps Chicago

Welcome to Chicago's community landscaping and job training program! Our mission is to improve the quality of life throughout Chicago by providing horticultural instruction, materials and employment. Greencorps Chicago is a program of the City of Chicago Department of Environment (DOE) in partnership with WRD Environmental.

Greencorps Chicago offers workshops, plant materials, technical assistance and educational programs. Organizations working in a public space--including schools, faith institutions, libraries, public housing communities and block clubs--may participate in our activities .

Community Garden Certification In order to receive assistance from Greencorps Chicago, including participating in the plant distribution days, a community group must submit information to Greencorps every three years. Applications are available from the contact information listed below. The following programs are offered by Greencorps Chicago:

• Plant Distribution Days: Five times a year, Greencorps Chicago distributes seeds, vegetables, annuals, perennials and bulbs free of charge to community organizations throughout the city. Any group gardening in a public space can benefit from this program.
• Basic Assistance: Community groups in the preliminary stages of developing their garden site or those with minor installation or maintenance needs can apply for one day of assistance by our landscaping crew.
• Community Garden Assistance: Community groups seeking resources for a garden are supported through this application based program on a variety of levels with technical assistance, garden materials and hands-on labor.
• Job training: Each spring, Greencorps Chicago hires approximately 50 people into its nine-month green industry job training program.
• Mayor Daley's Landscape Awards:Daley recognizes residents, schools, community organizations and businesses for their outstanding contributions to the city's environment with this annual awards program.
• Volunteer Opportunities:Greencorps Chicago recruits and trains volunteers to assist with our community gardens and to serve as docents at the Chicago Center for Green Technology.