In 2023 the Ecology Action Center was awarded a United States Environmental Protection Agency Air Quality Monitoring for Communities grant to launch the BN-CARE project.
Project Planners
The EAC, ISU, and Bloomington-Normal NAACP are involved in important decision-making aspects of the project as well as project updates and outcomes, policy changes, installation of air quality warning systems, and tree plantings.
Site Partners
Site partners are McLean County at Fairview Park, Bloomington Normal Water Reclamation District, and Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local chapter 197 provided electricity at two of the sites.
Stakeholders
Stakeholders include McLean County, the City of Bloomington, the Town of Normal, Mid Central Community Action, and the McLean County Chamber of Commerce. The project planners communicate important and relevant findings to all stakeholders.
Industry Partners
Cargill and Rivian Automotive have been called into this project as partners to provide project results regarding air quality emissions in the community and how that links to their own emissions and air quality standards.
Educational Partners
Educational Partners include Normal Community High School’s Geography Department and Environmental Sciences, ISU’s Office of Sustainability and Center for Civic Engagement, Heartland Head Start, Heartland Community College, YWCA McLean County, and Western Avenue Community Center. Air quality data collected from this project will be incorporated into classroom activities and educational workshops will be offered. The ISU Office of Sustainability and the Center for Civic Engagement will assist with the long-term outcomes for addressing policy, community engagement needs, and awareness about the project. The YWCA McLean County and Western Avenue Community Center serve to represent the EJ communities and underserved residents of McLean County. We will partner with them to present key findings, host workshops, and resident engagement.
Special thanks to the International Brotherhood Electrical Workers (IBEW) local chapter 197 for donating labor to install electricity at the Fairview location.
Portable air quality monitors are available for learning activities and be requested for use on our contact page.
