Dialogue #3 is Tuesday, December 9 @ 6:30pm
Join us for a night of powerful local climate action
Two movements.
Two stories shaping DeKalb County’s future.
One room, one RSVP, one very full snack table.
On Tuesday, Dec 9 at 6:30 PM, we’re bringing together Nettle Composting and Together for Taft for an evening that shows what community-powered solutions look like in real life: no doom, no jargon, no fancy tech required.
First up: Composting: Collective Action for the Climate With Nettle Composting
Worker-owned. Community-rooted. Low-tech. High impact.
Composting isn’t just a sustainability hobby, it’s one of the most powerful climate solutions we’ve got. Kate Whitacre and Jessie Crow Mermel from Nettle Composting will break down how composting:
cuts methane by keeping food scraps out of landfills
stores carbon in the soil
builds healthier food systems
boosts water retention and resilience
strengthens communities
and… grows really excellent vegetables
It’s simple, accessible, and something most people can start doing tomorrow. Composting = collective action you can hold in your hands.
Bring your curiosity and your questions. Banana peels optional!
Followed by: Together for Taft: Reimagining the Lorado Taft Campus
Community-led vision. Environmental education legacy. A future worth fighting for.
The historic Lorado Taft Campus, a beloved hub for environmental education, is at a crossroads. But local residents aren’t letting its legacy fade.
Together for Taft will share:
the story of the campus
the opportunity in front of us
the community organizing happening behind the scenes
and how neighbors can help shape what comes next
This is a chance to imagine what this site in Northern Illinois could become: an environmental education center, a nature-forward community asset, and a place where young people learn to love the world they’re inheriting.
It’s local action at its finest: hopeful, determined, and deeply rooted in place.
Why It Matters
Composting and community organizing might sound like totally different worlds — but they’re actually two sides of the same coin: neighbors building local resilience.
In an age of climate chaos, these are the hyper-local actions that keep us grounded, connected, and hopeful.
This double feature is your chance to:
learn
ask questions
support community-led movements
discover how YOU can make a difference right here at home
DeCarbon Dialogues are designed to make climate adaptation approachable, hopeful, and hyper-local. Each monthly session (October–March) builds momentum toward DeKalb County Earth Fest 2026, helping residents turn conversation into action — one project, one neighbor, one spark at a time.
How Partners Can Help
Spread the word — share on your organization’s newsletter or social channels.
Co-host or sponsor refreshments, print materials, or signage.
Invite your networks — civic groups, classes, businesses, and faith communities.
Collaborate on upcoming dialogues or project pilots.
Reach out for partnership opportunities — kendra@decarbondekalb.com.
Tuesday, December 9
6:30–8:00 PM
Yusunas Room — DeKalb Public Library
Free + open to all
Snacks provided (because climate action runs on carbs)
One RSVP gets you the whole evening.
Come for one talk or stay for both! You won’t want to miss either.
Presented by
DeCarbon DeKalb
Real Talk. Real Neighbors. Real Change.
In partnership with:
Third Annual DeKalb County Earth Fest, NIU Sustainability, Nettle Composting, Together for Taft, DeKalb Public Library
