Come to the Green Side


SPRING VALLEY NATURE SANCTUARY WORK DAY
October 25, 2009, 7:00 am
Filed under: Environment, Upcoming Events

spring valleyThe Northwest Cook County Group of the Sierra Club is continuing their restoration work at Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary in Schaumburg.  Any who wish to participate should meet in the Spring Valley parking lot on Saturday, November 21 at 8:45 a.m.  Work will proceed until 11:30.  Gloves and tools will be provided. 

Helping restore this native habitat is the Group’s way of saying thank you to Spring Valley for the use of their meeting room.



WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR BUSINESS WASTE?
October 11, 2009, 7:00 am
Filed under: Environment, Green Tips, Recycling

Illinois EPAFor the average household, there are multiple, advertised environmental fairs, hazardous waste collections, dropoffs and recycling events that are all FREE.  For the average business it can be difficult to find a way to be green and operate economically. 

The Illinois EPA has one way to help.  They have set up an Industrial Material Exchange that allows businesses to post both the materials they have available for recycling or materials they would like to obtain for their own uses.  Check  out the website here.



SEED COLLECTING AT SPRING VALLEY NATURE SANCTUARY
August 30, 2009, 7:00 am
Filed under: Environment, Gardening

Seed collectingSpring Valley Nature Sanctuary will be celebrating National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 26 with a morning of native seed collecting in its restored prairies.  All of the seed collected is dried, cleaned and eventually used to replant additional acres with native wildflowers and grasses in Schaumburg’s parks and nature preserves. 

Participants will be able to learn ways in which people work with nature to heal the land and help restore rare plants and animals.  All participants will receive a free packet of native wildflower seed to take home.  This activity is free and open to all ages. 

Collecting will be done from 9:00 to 1:00 with volunteers asked to meet at the Visitor’s Center.  To RSVP call the Center at 847-985-2100.  Their address is 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, IL



ORDER YOUR RAIN BARREL NOW!
July 19, 2009, 7:00 am
Filed under: Environment, Gardening

The Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary of the Rain barrelSchaumburg Park District is now taking orders for rain barrels made from blue reconditioned plastic food barrels.   The cost is $50.  Orders will be accepted from all members of the public through October 1.   Rain barrels will be available for pick up sometime in November.



BIODIESEL PUBLIC FUEL STATIONS IN ILLINOIS
July 6, 2009, 7:00 am
Filed under: Environment, Resources

Gas PumpDo you own a vehicle that accepts biodiesel fuel or thinking of purchasing one that does?   If so, you’ll need to know where the public stations are in Illinois.  Check out the state of Illinois’ list here.



CELEBRATE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY!
June 1, 2009, 7:00 am
Filed under: Environment, Upcoming Events

The film Earth:  The Biography will be shown in the Audiovisual Theater on Friday, June 5 from 4-8 p.m.  Children age 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult.  No registration required.Earth 

This 4-hour film was originally broadcast on the BBC in 2007 using breathtaking footage and special imaging to tell the story of the great forces that shape the planet.  Each segment is 45 minutes.  Please feel free to join us for any part or all of this unique presentation.



HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR THE “GREEN PAGES” NEWSLETTER?
April 7, 2009, 7:00 am
Filed under: Environment, Upcoming Events

 forest4

Sign up in April to get the library’s Green Pages newsletter in your email inbox and be entered in a drawing for a $25 gift card from Barnes & Noble!  It’s easy and a great way to see what’s new in environmental books, as well as some of the “green” programs we’re offering here at the library.

Simply go to our website at www.stdl.org and click the button on the right that says “Library Newsletters.  Hot off the Press.  Subscribe Today.”  This will give you a list of newsletters that are available .  Take a look at any and all of the newsletters.  If you’d like to subscribe, click on those that interest you and submit your name, email and a password that you can remember.  

Hurry!  Signup for the drawing is available to those who subscribe during the month of April only.  Subscriptions are, of course, available any time after that too.

Questions?  Contact Jane Rozek @ 847-923-3331.



HOUSEHOLD CHEMICAL WASTE COLLECTIONS
March 8, 2009, 7:00 am
Filed under: Environment, Hazardous Wastes

Even though the IEPA has not yet released the 2009 schedule of rotating household chemical waste collections, you can still do your part and take your household’s waste to one of these long-term facilities.

Fire Station #4
1971 Brookdale Rd.
Naperville
630/420-4190

1311 N. Estes St.
Gurnee
Appointment required at 847-336-9340 or www.swalco.org

Rock River Reclamation District
3333 Kishwaukee Road
Rockford
815-987-5570