Amidst an array of national Earth Day celebrations, in Morton Grove, area residents gathered Sunday to celebrate not just the ways we can help our planet, but the ways the planet can actually help us.
This 4th annual Earth-A-Palooza event, hosted by 13th District Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita, provided a local Earth Month celebration focusing on environmental education, wellness, and a connection to nature in the forest preserves.
“Earth-A-Palooza gives us the opportunity to reintroduce the forest preserves and to highlight the different ways that nature can support our communities.” Commissioner Morita said.
This free eco-friendly festival took place at Linne Woods, 6251 Dempster Street, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., featuring nature walks, birding hikes, forest bathing, tai chi, and tree climbing, alongside interactive educational and arts programming for children and families.
Syed Razi of Des Plaines attended with family.
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“It’s important that we disconnect our kids from staying at home with their technology to venture outside in nature to get their hands dirty and get creative — the forest preserve offers that alternative,” Razi said.
As part of the 2026 Earth Day slogan — our power our planet — attendees also connected with community organizations and public agencies offering resources on sustainability, conservation, public health, and energy efficiency through informational tables and demonstrations.
Event partners, Impact Behavioral Health Partners, Waste Not Compost, North Branch Restoration Project, James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy, Evanston Vet Center, Department of Veteran Affairs, Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and others took part.
Mortia says the forest preserves offer more than just a walk in the woods and events like Earth-A-Palooza increase awareness, encouraging nature lovers as well as those visiting for the first time.
“We are promoting our forest preserves across communities as free and inclusive spaces, providing programming and benefits across communities, for everyone, in different languages, in celebration of diverse cultures and faiths, providing health benefits and mental wellness,” Morita said.
Lindsay Hong of Wilmette looked on as her son participated in the Cook County Department of Resources Management’s guided tree climbing.
“Events like Earth-A-Palooza get the kids excited about being outdoors, giving them access to the trees they love to climb and to the natural world,” Hong said.
Niles resident Kate O’Donoghue says Earth Month programming allows kids to take risks in a natural environment and encourages problem-solving in a supportive community setting.
Morton Grove Mayor Janine Witko attended.
“In Morton Grove, 20% of our land is covered in forest preserves, creating a natural resource that runs through the middle of town — the more people that experience and heal in our forest preserves, the better it is for all of us,” Witko said.
The event also included remarks from Commissioner Morita and local leaders, highlighting the importance of accessible green space, environmental stewardship, and community-driven approaches to building a more sustainable future in the region.
Morita says Chicago is the home of urban planning, and Daniel Burnham protected our beautiful lakefront.
“Now it’s our generation’s turn to preserve those natural spaces for the highest and best use of the land in order to make a more livable community,” Morita said.
Gina Grillo is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.