We are coming upon this year’s Earth Day on April 22, and many events are happening throughout the Buffalo Grove area that can help make our community greener and cleaner.
For those unfamiliar with the history of Earth Day, the first one took place April 22, 1970.
According to the Earth Day Network’s website, millions of people took to the streets that day to protest the negative effects of 150 years of industrial development.
After that initial day, the actions of these concerned people led to groundbreaking environmental laws for our country, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.
Earth Day since has evolved into a global event with more and more attention focused on ending plastic pollution. Information about different environmental activities and how to volunteer is available on the Earth Day Network’s website at www.earthday.org.
Locally, there are a variety of upcoming events to celebrate Earth Day.
From noon to 4 p.m. April 22, the Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills will serve as an “Earth Day Expo.” This is a free event, but organizers are asking for donations of five non-perishable items from each participant that will be given to the Northern Illinois Food Bank.
The expo features a meet-and-greet opportunity with “Trolls” from the DreamWorks’ movie, a professional photographer who can take family photos, face-painting activities and live music. For information, call 847-362-2600.
The Wheeling Park District is celebrating Earth Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 22 with a free event at Heritage Park, 100 Community Boulevard.
Participants can take a nature walk, learn about beautiful wildlife, view a butterfly garden, and assemble and fly kites. Information about the event is available by calling 847-465-3333.
Forest preserve districts in Cook and Lake counties are each hosting a variety of events designed to help clean and restore natural areas. Dates and information about these events are available at the Cook County district’s website at fpdcc.com/events and the Lake County district’s site at lcfpd.org.
For college students majoring in the environmental sciences, Barrington-based Citizens for Conservation is offering paid, 10-week internships during the summer. Check out the group’s website at citizensforconservation.org.
Our very own Buffalo Grove Garden Club also is hosting its annual plant sale. Club members are encouraging everyone to plant something outside this spring — a plant, shrub, tree or flower. Online orders are being accepted through April 14 at the club’s website.
Proceeds from the plant sale will help fund the club’s annual scholarship program, the planting and maintenance of several public gardens, as well as the speakers during the club’s monthly meetings.
Those meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month at the Alcott Center. If you would like to join the club, email the group at [email protected].
The Buffalo Grove Garden Club also has some wonderful tips for green gardening.
Here are a few of the club’s backyard suggestions that can honor the ideals of Earth Day:
Remember the power of the four R’s — reduce, recycle, reuse and re-buy.
Harvest rainwater in rain barrels.
Grow food in your own backyard.
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Avoid chemical pesticides, and use all natural fertilizer and pest controls.
Finally, here are a couple of the club’s ideas that control insects in home gardens:
Organic soap and oil spay
Combine one cup of vegetable oil with one tablespoon of liquid soap.
Mix two teaspoons of this mixture with one cup of water in a spray bottle.
Organic pesticide
Mix a half cup of baking soda and one teaspoon of liquid detergent with one quart water.
Use the mixture as a spray.
Aileen Simons is a freelance columnist for Pioneer Press. Contact her at [email protected].