For more than four decades, late winter at Red Oak has meant one thing: maple sap flowing, steam rising from the evaporator, and families gathering in the woods to welcome the changing season. Maple Fest will return Saturday, March 7, from from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, March
The Aurora Greenfest is back and better than ever. We are planning a wonderful festival celebrating everything about the environment and how to take care of our planet. Save the date, Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 18 W. Benton Street, Aurora, in the beautiful and
Cathy Hayen is retiring from the City of Aurora government at the end of February. You might not know her by name, but you know her by the gardens, baskets, and planters of vibrant colors that have transformed downtown Aurora over the years into a seasonal paradise. In 2014, Hayen
The Big One: Shred and Recycle event will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 28, 540 S. Randall Rd., St. Charles. Confidential document shredding, recycling of electronics, clothing and textiles, books, Styrofoam (tentative), batteries (tentative), and fluorescent bulbs/tubes. —Kane County government
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County invites residents to shake off the winter blues at Polar-Palooza, a nature-inspired arcade experience, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, from noon to 3 p.m. at Creek Bend Nature Center. Guests of all ages can enjoy indoor and outdoor activities. Participants will earn tickets as
With a few steps off a trailer and onto Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve in Sycamore, American bison, also known as buffalo, have made a triumphant return to Kane County prairie, for the first time in more than 200 years. The move follows a three-way partnership between the Forest Preserve District
Building on the popularity of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s, “Little Saplings” preschool series, the District is excited to introduce, “Twigs to Trees,” a new nature program designed specifically for school-age children in kindergarten through second grade. Each session of “Twigs to Trees” invites young explorers to investigate
Learn about local, winter wildlife during a new nature program series by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County. The lineup of free programs is designed to showcase the fascinating creatures that stay active throughout Illinois’ colder months, such as Chickadees, owls, eagles, woodchucks, beavers and more. District naturalists will
By Ricky Rieckert Dear readers, The prior two weeks I described the unique nature of the Fox River. This week, I will discuss the pros and cons of dam removal and why, according to myself and others, believe the dams should stay, on the Fox River. The dams have been
News from the Sierra Club Valley of the Fox: •Getting out into nature is one way that we can come together, appreciate the beauty of the Earth, and remember how important it is that we take care of the environment for ourselves and future generations to thrive. Valley of the
Enjoy the changing seasons as we hike, look and listen for birds inhabiting our forest preserves, this fall. District naturalists will cover basic bird-identification skills and share a few interesting stories along the way. Next bird watching walk will be Friday, Nov. 21; 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Culver Forest
After eyeing an almost 500-acre piece of property in eastern Will County since the 1970s, the Forest Preserve District of Will County closed on the parcel recently, making it the second largest property acquisition since the District was formed in 1927. The 495.27-acre parcel, north of Illinois 394 and adjacent
National Take Back Day, responsibly disposing of medicine, will take place Saturday, Oct. 25 at many government and police station throughout the Nation. Proper disposal of unwanted medications prevents misuse, protects the environment, and saves lives. Find a drop-off site at www.dea.gov/takebackday —DEA.gov
Are you passionate about nature and want to make a positive impact on your community? Discover the Kane County Certified Naturalist (KCCN) program at a free information session Thursday, Nov. 6, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, 3795 Campton Hills Rd., in St. Charles. KCCN
Seth Groom, left, and his mother, Kim Groom, show off a tire found during the Fox Valley Park District’s Fall Day of Service, Community Clean-up Day, October 4.
The recycling event will be from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 27 at 540 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Accepted items include clothing and textiles, books, bicycles and bicycle accessories, and latex paint, and documents for shredding. Latex recycling will cost: Pint, $1; gallon, $3; two-gallon, $5; five-gallon, $15.
The Conservation Foundation will host its annual “It’s Our Fox River Day” Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.. The effort is led by the foundation with other local organizations like the Friends of the Fox River to clean litter out of the Fox River in locations from
Earthmover Credit Union, the Village of Montgomery, and State Representative Matt Hanson are partnering to offer the community and members a free paper shredding opportunity Saturday, Sept. 27, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Montgomery Police Department, 10 Civic Center Ave. on the Village’s west side. The drive-thru event
Enjoy the changing seasons as we hike, look and listen for birds inhabiting our forest preserves, this fall. District naturalists will cover basic bird-identification skills and share a few interesting stories along the way. Upcoming bird watching walks: •Saturday, Sept. 13; 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., Hoscheit Woods Forest Preserve,
Electronics, clothing and shoes, cooking oil, and florescent tube lights will be accepted from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 13 at 820 W. Liberty Drive, Wheaton Public Works Storage Lot. Acceptable items: Clothing, shoes, sheets, bedding, towels and other household textiles in any condition. No heavily soiled items. Shoes
