Local environmental news and happenings for DuPage County. | |
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It's Time to Pumpkin SMASH! | |
The SCARCE Pumpkin SMASH is spreading all over the country! Staff from SCARCE recently participated in a zoom call with town officials from across the state of New York.
In our area the SMASH has expanded to include the first two Saturdays after Halloween, November 2 and November 9.
More SMASH means we need more volunteers! Can you help?
Learn more and sign up to help with Pumpkin SMASH 2024
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Celebrate the Clean Water Act
Leave the Leaves & Plant a Tree
October 18 is the 52nd anniversary of the modern Clean Water Act, which protects our nation's water. But all of us contribute to protecting our ground water, wetlands and treatment plants.
For example, did you know when leaves collect over storm sewers, they block storm drains, which can cause localized flooding? Residents can help by composting, bagging and mulching leaves that have fallen near storm drains. Pouring oils or other liquid wastes directly into sewers also causes problems. (Cooking oils can be recycled at local drop off sites. Learn more here.)
Check out the video for other helpful tips.
Read more about the history of the Clean Water Act.
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Want to Help Keep our Waterways Clean?
Our Storm Drain Medallion project benefits the environment and protects your community by reminding residents not to dump anything down storm drains. It's a small task that can make a big impact! Learn more here.
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Teacher Watershed & Pond Water Workshop | |
Learn all about the small ponds scattered throughout our county that protect our homes and watershed. Find out how you can impact our watershed for better or worse! This special SCARCE workshop is perfect for teachers, scout leaders and after school program educators. Earn 2 CPDUs!
Click here to learn more and register.
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National Energy Awareness Month
October is National Energy Awareness Month. Now is the time to teach your kids & grandkids to take common sense steps with energy use, like turn off lights when you leave a room and disconnect rechargeables (e.g. electronics & game consoles) after they are fully charged.
Want to learn more about energy with your scouts or other after school programs? SCARCE offers field trips and hands-on workshops that explore how energy moves and how you can help the world by being a an energy saver!
Find out more: info@scarce,com
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Time to Turn Your Rain Barrels (Into Ghosts?) | |
The colder weather is just ahead, which means it's time to protect your rain barrel. Disconnect the gutter attachment and turn it over, so that freezing weather doesn't crack the barrel.
Wondering what to do with those empty barrels? Turn them into holiday decorations--Boo!
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Photo shows SCARCE volunteer, Stefanie, at the pancake breakfast before NAMI's Run for the Mind. | |
Green Your Gig is Catching On!
Your next big event will be happier and healthier if you borrow, don't buy. Why add plastic cups, plates and cutlery to the landfill when you can Green Your Gig with SCARCE's help?
Is it easy? Yes! Does it work for small or large groups? Yes! The City of Naperville borrowed 300 cloth napkins, plates & forks for the City Employee picnic. The holidays are coming. Plan to Green your Gig!
Learn more here.
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SCARCE Open House October 9 - 10am
Come Join Us for a Behind the Scenes Tour!
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Visit Repair Fair 4
Sat. Oct. 26 - 9am-noon
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Celebrate International Repair day (Oct 19) by checking out the 4th Repair Fair at SCARCE.
Experts will be on hand to advise and repair small appliances, china & crystal, jewelry, and lamps. Knife and scissor sharpening will also be offered.
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Winter Chloride Watchers Training Workshop
Tuesday, October 22, 2024, 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
Become a citizen scientist! Join the Conservation Foundation at Lombard Village Hall to learn how to be a Winter Chloride Watcher. The program is a once-a-month commitment through the winter, testing a local waterway for chlorides, and reporting your results.
Find out more about Winter Chloride Watchers.
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Environmental Events - Mark Your Calendar!
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OCT 16
OCT 19
OCT 24-31
OCT 26
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Healthy Lawns, Driveways & Homes
Wed. Oct. 16 7pm In-person
Protect your family from the health effects of chemicals that are commonly found in lawn-care products, coal-tar sealants, and ordinary household products. Hear about the latest research from a professor at Benedictine University, Jean-Marie Kauth, PhD, MPH.
Sponsored by the Sierra Club. Event details here.
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Regular Hours for Reuse Center and
SCARCE-LY USED Books & Records
Monday-Friday 9am-4:30pm
Saturdays 9am-12pm
OPEN - Monday, Oct. 14
Indigenous People's Day/Columbus Day
Donation Hours
Tuesday-Friday 9am-2pm
Saturday 9-11:30am
*For 5 or more boxes, call to make an appointment
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Thank You to Businesses
A special thank you to businesses who donated supplies and/or services this month!
- Ivy Restaurant, Wheaton
- Nicor Gas
- Ryan Shreve, Revo Wired Webservices
- Whole Foods, Wheaton
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Looking for a way to help your community and the environment?
SCARCE offers many ways to help--from sorting to sewing, there's many ways to help.
And it's a lot of fun!
Click on the Register button below to find out more.
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This newsletter was created by SCARCE and funded by
the DuPage County Board, Deborah Conroy, Chair,
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
Heather Goudreau, Allison Henley, Bev Jaszczurowski,
Jean Kent, Emily King, Erin Muniza, Caroline Prichard,
Andrea Redfearn, Olivia Sterling, Marina Strong, 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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