WEF Community Service Project Creates Green Infrastructure at Chicago School

The 17th annual WEF Community Service Project, led by the Students and Young Professionals Community (SYPC), brought more than 100 volunteers to Aldridge Elementary School during WEFTEC 2025 to transform the school grounds with new green infrastructure and outdoor learning spaces.  

This year’s project added rain gardens, bioswales, stormwater-managing walkways, and an outdoor classroom, featuring hundreds of native plants that will provide lasting environmental benefits for the school and its surrounding community. These installations help manage stormwater, create functional green spaces, and serve as hands-on learning tools for students.

The project was made possible through the support of community partners and sponsors including the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Collective Learning Lab, Chicago Department of Water Management, Xylem, Jeanette Brown, Michael Baker International, Donohue & Associates, Infiltrator Water Technologies, Greenprint Partners, and Jammin 4 Water. Volunteer team leads Brandon Friedland (Xylem) and Akshay Jain (CDM Smith) guided the efforts of more than 100 participants to bring this year’s vision to life.