Earth Day 2024: Ways To Get Involved In The Glenview Area

GLENVIEW, IL — With a goal of reducing the production of all plastics by 2040, Earth Day organizers chose the right theme for this year's event. As it has annually since 1970, Earth Day falls on April 22, and Monday's event is being called, "Planet vs. Plastics."

According to EarthDay.org, over 1 billion people in more than 193 countries have mobilized on April 22 each year to demonstrate support for environmental protection. With the "Planet vs. Plastics" theme, organizers are advocating for "widespread awareness on the health risk of plastics, rapidly phase out all single use plastics, urgently push for a strong UN treaty on plastic pollution, and demand an end to fast fashion."

In the Glenview area, local groups and residents will be volunteering in a number of ways to recognize Earth Day, with some events taking place this upcoming weekend. Here are a few events scheduled locally:

• Spring Restoration Day at Kent Fuller Air Station Prairie, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 20, Kent Fuller Air Station Prairie/Tyner Center, 2400 Compass Road, Glenview. For ages 8 and up. Through the Glenview Park District, assist in the restoration efforts at Kent Fuller Air Station Prairie by helping with a variety of restoration activities such as removing non-native invasive plants or collecting seed. Bring work gloves if you have them. For families and individuals. Volunteers under 15 must participate with an adult. Volunteers under 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian. To receive an application/ waiver in advance, contact [email protected]. Work days may be cancelled due to inclement weather.
• Earth Day Recycling Event, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 20, West Metra Station Commuter Lot, 1401 Shermer Road, Northbrook. Residents can drive through and drop off any of the following items with Northbrook's Public Works staff members — paint (oil/latex only, no thinners or solvents, 10-gallon limit), molded styrofoam tires (max of four), printer cartridges CFL, LED, tube fluorescent bulbs, computers, TVs, other electronics new/used household goods and clothing, residential document shredding (three bag limit), household batteries, and bicycles. Help support implementation of Northbrook's Climate Action Plan at this Go Green Northbrook event.
• Reusable Bag Decorating, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 20, and Sunday, April 21, The Grove, 1421 Milwaukee Ave., Glenview. Drop in to celebrate Earth Day. Reduce the impact of plastic bags on the environment and decorate your own reusable bag to take and use all summer long going to our pools, carrying library books, or shopping at the Farmers Market. All supplies provided. $5 per bag, payable at the event.
• Gardening with Native Plants, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 2o, The Grove, 1421 Milwaukee Ave., Glenview. For ages 16+. Join The Grove for a special presentation, "Gardening with Native Plants," by Meredith Suangka, Grove natural resource manager, as she discusses the benefits of native vegetation and explains how to select the right plants for different environmental conditions and turn landscaping into a haven for pollinators and other wildlife. This program is free, but reservations are required. E-mail [email protected] to RSVP.
• Lake Glenview Fish Release Day, 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20, Gallery Park, 2001 Patriot Blvd., Glenvfiew. In partnership with Sunrise Glenview Rotary Club and the Village of Glenview, help make a splash by restocking Lake Glenview with fish this spring. Live fish and buckets will be provided and all ages are welcome. Dress for the weather and wet conditions.
• Earth Day Volunteer Service Opportunity, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 21, Somme Prairie Grove, 45R9+6P, Northbrook. Help Friends of Northbrook Forest Preserves restore the full diversity of natural prairie, savanna grasslands and oak woodland. The team focus will be cleaning up litter along the access road.
• Evening Bird and Botany Walk, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 22, Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area and Welcome Center, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods. This is a free Earth Week event. Find out more here.
• Order Earth Day-themed cookies at Deerfields Bakery, 201 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove, and 813 N. Waukegan Road, Deerfield. Check out the cookies here. Deerfields Bakery is closed Monday, so order now.
• Celebrate Earth Day, noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 20, Reed-Turner Nature Center, 3849 Old McHenry, Long Grove. The $5 Long Grove Park District event includes crafts and educational activities for all ages, guided hikes, games, yoga, owl demonstration (except for 2 p.m. time slot) and the inaugural Earth Day Craft Fair. Sign-ups for time slots can be found here.
• Earth Day Celebration, 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, April 21, at the Mike Rylko Community Park (near the skate park), 1000 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove. The free event, put on by the Buffalo Grove Park District, will include arts and crafts, a nature walk, and the nature classroom will be open.
• Celebrate Earth Day, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at the Heritage Park Performance Center, 201 Community Blvd., Wheeling. Take a nature walk, learn about all the beautiful wildlife Wheeling has to offer, and view live animals up close at this family-friendly event. Exhibitors will be on hand to present information on the environment and answer all your questions about how to make our planet a better place. Register here.

Find more Earth Day events here.