DUPAGE WILDLIFE CENTER WINS LEED GOLD CERTIFICATION
The new DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center at the Willowbrook Forest Preserve has earned LEED v4 Gold certification, which recognizes the center for its sustainable design, energy efficiency, water conservation and reduced environmental impact.
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a green-building rating system through which projects can earn points for utilizing sustainable practices.
The 27,000-square-foot building uses a variety of initiatives for reducing its impact to the environment, a Forest Preserve District of DuPage County news release said.
Its all-electric facility was designed for net-zero energy use so that it produces as much energy from renewable sources as it consumes over the course of a year.
The district is tracking its energy performance. So far, the building is producing significantly more energy than it is using, the release said. An expansive array of ground- and roof-mounted solar panels generates electricity to help offset the building’s annual energy use, the release said.
The building also manages rainwater onsite and conserves water, the release said.
The new wildlife rehabilitation clinic and visitor center opened in January and replaced a 42-year-old facility. Each year, the center treats about 11,000 injured and orphaned wild animals.
NAPERVILLE FOUNDATION HOSTING WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE
The Naperville Education Foundation will be collecting new winter clothes through Friday, Oct. 16, at the Naperville District 203 administration building, 203 W. Hillside Road.
Donations will be accepted on schools days between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The foundation is looking for new winter jackets, snow pants, mittens, gloves, winter hats and sweatshirts in sizes from toddler to adult to help make sure all district students are prepared for winter, a foundation newsletter said.
The clothing will be given to the Kid Booster Resource Center, a central hub that provides students in all 23 buildings with essential clothing and personal care items when school staff identifies a need. The center is run by students with special needs from Connections Transition Services.
Elementary and early childhood winter gear should be appropriate for outdoor play, warm and water-resistant or waterproof, the foundation said.
The foundation has a wishlist at both Target and Amazon online, and monetary donations are also accepted.
For more information, go to www.nef203.org or email [email protected].
SETTLEMENT’S MAD SCIENTIST EVENTS FOR ADULTS, FAMILIES
Naper Settlement in Naperville will hold two separate events designed to unleash one’s mad scientist abilities.
In the first event, adults 21 and older can take part in hands-on experiments and enjoy craft beer. The Craft By Beer evening is set for 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at the settlement, 523 S. Webster St.
Participants can take part in science challenges, create chemical reactions and build explosive concoctions, Naper Settlement officials said. One drink ticket is included in the program fee.
A valid ID is required, and advanced registration is required. Tickets are $20 per person.
In a separate event, families can enjoy some Halloween-themed chemistry and science experiments in the Mad Scientist Potion Lab.
The family STEM night will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, and is geared for children ages 5 to 11 accompanied by their parents or guardians.
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Families can create color-changing potions, mix liquids to create an explosion and learn about forces that repel and attract, settlement officials said.
Advanced registration is required, and tickets are $8 per person. For tickets