Community Action engages students in environmental activism and service in Hyde Park, Chicago.

Founded in 2017, Community Action is a student-led group dedicated to environmental activism and service initiatives across campus and the Hyde Park community. The organization focuses on promoting systemic environmental change and fostering a sustainable relationship between students, community members, and natural spaces. Through hands-on projects, Community Action has organized numerous service events with local parks and gardens, including weeding and planting at MPAC, the Vernon Park Garden Project, the Logan Park Garden, Nichols Park, and the Brickyard Garden. The group has conducted extensive park cleanups in Nichols Park, Midway Plaisance Park, and 57th Street Beach, collectively removing over 400 pounds of trash from Midway Plaisance alone in 2023 and collecting over 220 plastic pellets from 57th Street Beach. Beyond physical service, Community Action advocates for environmental justice, notably by collaborating with the Midway Plaisance Advisory Council to oppose plans to drain the park's wetland. The group also engages in education and awareness through partnerships with the Neighborhood Schools Program, Splash! Chicago, and the University Community Service Center, hosting events that teach sustainability to K-12 students and engage the broader student body through competitions and trivia. Additionally, Community Action has worked with PIRG to oppose proposed rate hikes by Peoples Gas and supported clean energy initiatives, while participating in wildlife observation projects like the Zooniverse Penguin Watch. Their diverse portfolio of activities reflects a commitment to both immediate environmental stewardship and long-term political advocacy for the preservation of Chicago's natural resources.