The community is invited to celebrate the third annual Earth Week Naperville through April 28. The weeklong celebration features volunteer opportunities, special events, and programs focused on sustaining and protecting the environment. New exhibitors, events, and volunteer projects have been added.
Naperville Park District’s Fort Hill Activity Center, 20 Fort Hill Drive, will be host to a free shredding event from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., or until the truck is full, Saturday, April 27. There is a limit of two boxes per vehicle/household. This event is offered in partnership with the Naperville Police Department.
The second annual Earth Day Fair will take place at Fort Hill Activity Center, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 27. The free family-friendly event will feature children’s activities, eco-friendly vendors, green living tips, energy-saving information, free native plant seeds and more. Additionally, meet and greet several of our State, local, and DuPage County elected officials who plan to stop in at the Fair between 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.. Officials planning to attend include mayor Steve Chirico; Park Board president Mike Reilly; State representative Grant Wehrli; State representative Stephanie Kifowit; State senator Linda Holmes; State senator Laura Ellman; chief of staff Kim Brondyke from State representative Stava-Murray’s office; Will County Board member Mimi Cowan; and DuPage Forest Preserve District commissioner Mary Lou Wehrli.
Attendees are encouraged to bring new or like-new children’s items for Cradles to Crayons, a Chicago-based non-profit organization that assists children in need. Guidelines for donations can be viewed at www.napervilleparks.org/files/Cradles-to-Crayons-Donation-Guidelines.pdf.
Exhibitors include Citizen Climate Lobby, the City of Naperville Water and Electric utilities, the City of Naperville Department of Public Works Fleet Services, Cradles to Crayons, Experimac, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Forest Preserve District of Will County, Fox Valley Electric Auto Association, G.S. Troop 51114, Illinois Solar Energy Association, Just Food Initiative of Fox Valley, Knoch Knolls Nature Center, Naper Settlement, Naperville Community Gardeners, Naperville Park District, Naperville Public Library, Naperville Sustainability Task Force, North Central College, Norwex, Renewal by Andersen, Rose Pest Solutions, The Conservation Foundation/Green Earth Institute, The Resiliency Institute, Three Fires Council, – Boy Scouts of America and Visit Naperville.
Sponsors making this free Earth Day Fair possible include GROOT, WCP Solar, the City of Naperville, Naperville Park District, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Rose Pest Solutions, Visit Naperville, Ted’s Montana Grill, Norwex, Experimac and Renewal by Anderson.
The City of Naperville’s annual Arbor Day Tree sale will be held 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 27 at the Public Works Service Center, 180 Fort Hill Drive. A list of available trees and prices is available at www.naperville.il.us/arbordaytreesale. At the tree sale, attendees can pick up pre-ordered rain barrels and composters.
Individuals and groups may sign up to help with any of the volunteer projects planned for Earth Week. A list of projects is available at www.napervilleparks.org/earthweekvolunteeropportunities. To propose an additional volunteer project, send an email to lhoole@napervilleparks.org or to EarthWeekNpvl@napervilleparks.org.
Earth Week Naperville 2019 is a joint effort among several groups, including: Accenture, the City of Naperville, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Forest Preserve District of Will County, Naperville Park District, Naperville School District 203, North Central College, The Conservation Foundation, The Resiliency Institute, Three Fires Council – Boy Scouts of America, and Visit Naperville.
—Naperville Park District