Earth Month 2010

Stop in to the Plum Creek Nature Center in Beecher during the month of April to take part in an Earth Month scavenger hunt. Just pick up your scavenger hunt form and then set off on our trails of adventure to find the answers to our riddles. Bring your completed form back to the Nature Center to be entered to win an Earth Day prize! The scavenger hunt form may be picked up and turned in during the Nature Center's regular hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Earth Day Migratory Bird Walk - April 17

On Saturday, April 17, a Migratory Bird Walk will be offered at Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Nature Preserve in Plainfield from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. This is the time of year when a wide variety of migratory birds are returning to their breeding grounds in the north, and Lake Renwick offers an attractive stopover for the birds to rest and feed. A District naturalist will point out these migrants and provide insights as to different species. Bring a pair of binoculars for a close-up look and a birding guide to help with identification. Many of these birds have been migrating for thousands of miles, so you don�t want to miss them when they visit our preserve. The program involves hiking on trails over uneven surfaces.

Celebrate Water!: An Earth Day Tribute to H2O - April 17

Water is a critical resource, and Earth Day provides a perfect opportunity to think about how we can protect this resource while enjoying all that it offers us. Exhibits, speakers, children�s activities, workshops, recycling and educational programming are all part of this special event to be held at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon on Saturday, April 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Activities will be held indoors and outdoors, and all program areas are accessible.

Celebrate Air!: Let�s Fly a Kite - April 17

The beauty of kite flying is featured at this Earth Day program on Saturday, April 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Monee Reservoir in Monee. Watch a professional kite exhibition, make a craft, or purchase a unique kite from a vendor. Fly your kite near the water�s edge with others and enjoy Earth Day in the fresh air of spring. Shoreline and paved trails are accessible.

Throughout the entire month of April, Monee Reservoir will feature a Kite and Air Exhibit in the concessions building. Stop in during regular preserve hours to enjoy this special display.

Comcast Cares Workday - April 24

On Saturday, April 24, the third annual Comcast Cares Workday will be held from 8:00 a.m. to noon beginning at St. Sava Church, 3457 Black Road in Joliet. You are invited to join volunteers from Comcast and other local organizations in cleaning up the Rock Run Trail-Joliet Junction Trail loop in preparation for our annual Ride the Rock event. Comcast provides lunch to all volunteers, including those from the public who attend the workday and pitch in.

Registration is required by calling 815.722.7364 or e-mailing rgauchat@fpdwc.org. Groups must have one adult for every five children to ensure safety for all and enough equipment for everyone. Remember to dress for the weather and outdoor work. Water, work gloves, tools, and instruction are provided. For more information, call 815.727.8700.

Celebrate Earth!: Can You Dig It? - April 24

Celebrate our planet Earth on Saturday, April 24, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Plum Creek Nature Center in Beecher. This program offers hands-on workshops as well as information on how to compost, get more from your garden, turn unused items into works of art, and ways to enjoy the outdoors. You will also receive tips on how to minimize our impact on the Earth�s resources. The program will take place both indoors and outdoors, and some activities will require hiking over uneven trails.

International Migratory Bird Day Hike and Celebration - April 24

International Migratory Bird Day is a day set aside to promote awareness of birds and their conservation in the Western Hemisphere. Join in a bird hike at Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Nature Preserve in Plainfield on Saturday, April 24, from 8:00 a.m. to noon, to view spring migrants, learn about field guides and binoculars, and receive tips on the best birding areas in the region. Educational posters will be given to visitors while supplies last. This program is recommended for ages 12 and older.

GR2010: Celebrating Sustainability - May 22

GR2010 Logo

You are invited to experience the latest developments in renewable energy and green technology at a first-of-its kind festival focusing on the environment. GR2010: Celebrating Sustainability will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 22, 2010, at the Joliet Public Library - Black Road Branch and the Forest Preserve�s Rock Run Preserve - Black Road Access, located on Black Road between I-55 and Essington Roads in Joliet.

GR2010 is designed to create excitement and enthusiasm for green products, services, and technologies. The festival will feature speakers, organic foods, how-to workshops, yoga classes, and other fun, Earth-friendly activities for the whole family. Kids� activities will include nature hikes and hands-on fishing demonstrations. Also on hand will be eco-friendly exhibits - everything from all natural body care products and organic cotton clothing to energy-efficient home and green building products. Eco-friendly items will be available for purchase, and The Department will be offering food and drink specials at the event. Festival goers are encouraged to bring books and old electronics for a recycling drive held on-site.

Speakers at the event will include:

Bruce Texley, "Saving the Planet One Natural Step at a Time" (10 to 11 a.m.);
Kristin Gurnitz Bernier, "Benefits of Raw Foods (10 to 11 a.m.);
Olive Kaiser, "Food is Confusing/Sorting Out Nutrition" (11 a.m. to 12 p.m.);
Steve Pincuspy, "Getting the Ideal Lawn" (11 a.m. to 12 p.m.);
Bill Scheffler, "Organic Lawn Care" (1 to 2 p.m.);
Dr. Richard Treptow, "Climate Change" (1 to 2 p.m.);
Vicki Nowicki, "Brace Yourself for Food Awakening" (2 to 3 p.m.);
Jim Kleinwachter, "Rain Barrels and Rain Gardens" (2 to 3 p.m.);
Laura Kaiser, "Under the Green Roof: Designing Sustainable Buildings" (3 to 4 p.m.); and
Juanita Armstrong, "Natural Areas Restoration" (3 to 4 p.m.).

Entertainment for the day will also include live music featuring Stay Tuned String Band (old-timey), Just Us (bluegrass), Martine Locke (progressive folk), and Trina Hamlin (folk/blues music).

This ambitious program is sponsored by a partnership of government and civic organizations. Partnering with the Forest Preserve District in hosting the GR2010 festival are the Joliet Public Library, Joliet Park District, Joliet Job Corps, City of Joliet, Joliet Junior College, University of Illinois Extension - Will County, Joliet/Will County Project Pride, Joliet Urban Garden Alliance, and Aspire Inspire. Generous sponsors for the event include the American Chemical Society, Civiltech Engineering, Inc., Charlotte and Norm Codo, D Construction, Darcy Volkswagen, Denny's, Harrah's Joliet Casino & Hotel, IKEA, Joliet Park District, Lights for Learning, ME4E (Multidisciplinary Education for the Environment), MJSI, Inc., MyGofer.com, Provena St. Joe's Health Partners, the Spesia family, Wadsworth Golf Construction Company, Waste Management, and Westfield Louis Joliet Mall.