Close to home, the Cook County Forest Preserve discovered over 200 water fowl died in an avian flu outbreak at Baker's Lake in Barrington last month. (Baker's Lake is home to one of the largest heron rookeries in the Midwest.)
Our birds need help! The Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources has asked local residents not to put out bird feeders or baths to help limit the spread of the flu. Read more here. Also, because birds are migrating now it's important to dim your outdoor lights. Read about it at International Dark Skies.
There are other simple things we can all do to help local birds recover and thrive. Read 10 Ways to Help Birds by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. |
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Did you know the coffee you drink can help
or hurt North American birds?
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Recycling does more than reclaim materials. It saves energy.
Whether it's an aluminum can, a cardboard box, or the steel in your new bike, creating something from recycled materials takes a lot less energy than making something from raw materials--which means burning fewer fossil fuels.
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A big THANK YOU to everyone who planted trees this year in honor of Arbor Day. |
"The ultimate test of a man's conscience may be his willingness
to sacrifice something today for future generations
whose words of thanks will not be heard." - Gaylord Nelson
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National Compost Week: May 1-7 |
Composting is beginning to catch-on locally. And that's good news for everyone!
Whether it's city-wide, a small business, or in local schools, composting can help reduce waste, improve the environment, and save money.
Here are a few groups who recently joined the composting pile:
- The City of Darien added a curbside composting program for all residents;
- Antunes in Carol Stream is implementing a food scrap composting program in the office;
- Edison School, Wheaton, has begun a vermicomposting project for the lunchroom.
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Sustainable Design Challenge Winners Honored |
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DuPage County announced the winning models from the 16th annual Sustainable Design Challenge this month. This year's models really impressed the judges and made the choice of top prizes more difficult than ever!
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Best Overall LEED Design ($500 prize) Team #21, Green Glory; Glenbard East High School. Kaylee Choi, John Polyak, Calvin Putterlik & Steve Flanagan
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Best Stormwater Design ($250 prize) Team #3, The Pinecones; York Community High School. Tessa Brown, Gracie Stumpf, Katie Stumpf, & Maya Valdez
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Best Energy Design ($250 prize) Team #22, Cherry House; Glenbard East High School. Kristina Tomanov
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Residents of Wheaton dropped off 1045.1 pounds of batteries at last month's Recycling Extravaganza. SCARCE worked with HazChem, Addison, in the pilot program to recycle the batteries which keeps harmful battery acid out of landfill and local groundwater. |
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DuPage County Board Member & Chair of the DuPage County Environmental Committee, Shelia Rutledge, is pictured helping with a special Milton Township collection of medical equipment at the Wheaton Recycling Extravaganza. |
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Wheaton Lions Club collected 9 cell phones, 34 hearing aids and 425 pairs of glasses as part of the April Recycling Extravaganza. |
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Eco-learning at any age! Residents of The Oakes in Bartlett toured SCARCE to learn more about recycling and conservation projects. |
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Eco-Extraordinaires: Local Solar Stars! |
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The award was announced at Argonne National Laboratory this past March, and was attended by U.S. Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, who offered her congratulations. Local cities being recognized included:
- Bronze Award - Westmont
- Silver Award - Bensenville
- Gold Award - Carol Stream
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“Local governments have tremendous influence over the prospects for solar energy growth. ... And since the solar industry is a leading source of American job creation, attracting solar investment in your community is a great way to promote economic development and new jobs.”
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Woodridge Recycling Extravaganza 8am-11am
Itasca Green Day Recycling Event 8am-12noon
Warrenville Shredding & Electronic Recycling
RESIDENTS ONLY 9am-12noon
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Wheaton Monthly Recycling Event 9am-12noon
Downers Grove Township Shred Event 9am-11am
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Villa Park Spring Sweep 9am-noon |
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Woodridge Christ the Servant Church 8:30am-11:30am |
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Environmental Events - Mark Your Calendar!
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First Congregational UCC Elmhurst
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International Bird Migratory Day |
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SCARCE WILL BE CLOSED Monday, May 30 for MEMORIAL DAY |
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Thank You to Businesses
A special thank you to businesses who donated services and/or supplies!
- Whole Foods, Wheaton
- Concord Marketing Solutions, Glendale Heights
- HazChem, Addison
- Compost Supply, Sheridan (IL)
- Domtar, Addison
- Ryan Shreve, Revo Wired Webservices
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Volunteer Opportunities
We are looking for individuals 14 and older to help gather items at local community recycling events. It's a great way to serve your community and help the planet!
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Be a part of this initiative!
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Support SCARCE while you shop!
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Report stormwater issues online.
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Recycling info, trail guide, and more!
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This newsletter was created by SCARCE and funded by the DuPage County Board, Daniel Cronin, Chairman, the DuPage County Environmental Committee, Sheila Rutledge, Chair, and the DuPage County Stormwater Committee, James Zay, Chair. |
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SCARCE Team
Kay McKeen, founder & director
Jan Breyne, Rachel Carlson, Jasmine Flores, Heather Goudreau, Bev Jaszczurowski,
Erin Kennedy, Jean Kent, Rose Naseef, Carina Ruscitti & Julie Wachowski
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Environmental education programs are operated by SCARCE
(School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education)
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This newsletter is part of the Teacher Training Program funded by DuPage County.
Our Professional Development Provider Number: 190000000000000
The mention of a specific product or company is not an endorsement by DuPage County's Environmental Education Program.
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