More and more restaurants in Chicago are producing their own ingredients — up on the roof. These restaurants are converting standard urban rooftops to green gardens to help reduce their environmental impact and support local food production.

Unused airport land such as at O'Hare International Airport might be one option for the placement of alternative energy production systems, including solar panels, windmills and biofuels. Alternative energy production requires a lot of space with minimal disruption from wildlife, which is already the case for safety reasons at airports across the United States, according to a study published in the most recent issue of Environmental Management.

Ninety percent of Americans eat too much sodium and most of it comes from unexpected sources, such as bread, pasta dishes and poultry, the February edition of Vital Signs, an online program by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reported.

Worms aren’t supposed to poop in the house … except when their private business can help make a spring garden greener. Worm composting during the winter months can help a spring garden start out right, providing nutrient-rich fertilizer for plants.

Diane Ott Whealy did not know that her family’s seeds, passed down from generation to generation, would be inspiration for protecting plant diversity. But they became the buds for one of the largest seed collections in the United States.

Chicago residents at a Logan Square weatherization workshop, Saturday, got a chance to learn about saving energy while keeping cold drafts out of their homes this winter. About 40 people attended the workshop, held at the Logan Square Public Library by the Chicago Conservation Corps, which is part of the Chicago Department of Environment. The event was one of a series hosted by volunteers from C3, aimed at teaching residents how to prepare their homes for winter.

Friends of the Parks and volunteers from Wilbur Wright College teamed up on Saturday, November 12, to help preserve and restore the Dunning-Read Conservation area on Chicago’s Northwest Side.

Imagine Humboldt Park rooftops covered with greenhouses full of fruits and vegetables. That’s the vision of Carlos De Jesus and Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School’s urban agriculture initiative, which addresses the health disparities associated with Humboldt Park’s food desert. “One of the goals of the school is to engage in a community experience,” said De Jesus, PACHS’ assistant principal and coordinator of its urban agriculture efforts.