The primary goal of this project is to inform both the university community and the greater Champaign-Urbana community of “green” businesses and organizations in the Champaign-Urbana area. This goal will be achieved through two outlets. First, we will produce a pamphlet including a map of the sustainable efforts in and near Champaign-Urbana. Second, an online map on the website GreenMap.org will display the efforts of the larger community as well as smaller sustainability efforts such as bike racks, bus stops, and recycling receptacles. Both will be available free of charge to campus and the public and will assist in promoting sustainability efforts at the University of Illinois and beyond. The value to the university will come in part from publicizing sustainability efforts here on campus, but also from making opportunities for green and/or local purchasing more visible for people on campus and in the community (such as a printing company using sustainable materials and processes or local sources for university food services).

The secondary goal of the project is to provide a service-based learning opportunity for the Introduction to GIS (Geographic Information Systems) course offered by the Department of Geography. Students will contribute to both maps throughout the Fall 2009 semester as part of their coursework, thus giving them a
chance to develop their GIS skills and contribute to a project that benefits the campus community.