Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Ringing in the New Year with a list of upcoming environmentally-themed events

Eco-calendar:
Jan 6 (Elmhurst) - Home Energy Program at the Elmhurst Library, 7 pm, sponsored by Elmhurst Cool Cities Coalition (see attached file)

Jan 10 (Glen Ellyn) - Restoration work day at Churchill Park, just east of Geneva and Bloomingdale Roads, Glen Ellyn Park District

Jan 14 (Glen Ellyn) - Free office supplies at the Non-Profit Workshop, SCARCE

Jan 17 (Glen Ellyn) - Used book sale at the Glen Ellyn Public Library, http://gepl.org/

Jan 18 (Lombard) - Book discussion, The Green Boat (Mary Pipher), Sierra Club River Prairie Group

Jan 20 (Glen Ellyn) - Program meeting; History of the Illinois Prairie Path, Sierra Club River Prairie Group

Jan 24 (Glen Ellyn) - Public lecture, The History and Future of Electricity, Glen Ellyn History Center

Jan 27 (Warrenville) - Book discussion, The Green Boat (Mary Pipher), Sierra Club River Prairie Group

Jan 31 (Chicago) - Wild Things Conference at UIC Student Center East, Chicago Wilderness

 

Tuesday, November 11, 2014



Our sister group, the Elmhurst Cool Cities Coalition, makes a good point when they say that ice dams on a roof mean that there is a poorly insulated attic.  Internal damage and health issues may result if this is not attended to. This issue, and what to do about it, will be covered in our Residential Energy Forum on Wednesday, November 12, at the Glen Ellyn Civic Center.  7:30-9 pm.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Glen Ellyn Sustainability Group hosts residential energy forum

On Wednesday, November 12, the Glen Ellyn Sustainability Group is sponsoring a residential energy forum at Glen Ellyn's Civic Center at 7:30 p.m. 

It's all about making your home comfortable, safe and efficient this winter while saving money.  We will also explain the benefits of smart meters and how overall energy use can be reduced 20 percent with a modest effort. The Environmental Commission, ComEd, Nicor, Elevate Energy, and Pro Energy , the Environmental Commission, and Pro Energy will help us out. We need just 2 things: a catchy name for the event and your presence. Submit your idea for a name for a chance to winare participating in this educational event, and will explain their various programs and incentives that benefit homeowners.  We will focus on what really matters while keeping it straightforward and understandable.


The Glen Ellyn Sustainability Group promotes environmental quality in Glen Ellyn and the western suburbs.  Among other things, it promotes energy efficiency to reduce air pollution and to support a vibrant local economy by reducing energy costs.  More information about this and other activities may be found on Facebook.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

The 2014 Green Earth Fair in Naperville

There are many ecologically-focused festivals in the western suburbs these days.  The strong interest in family-oriented activities like this reveals the depth of our commitment to our regional environment.  One of the longer-lasting and genuinely enjoyable of these is the Good Earth Festival in southern Naperville, located on the grounds of the Conservation Foundation and the Green Earth Institute.  The Institute is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) enterprise that produces organic vegetables to its customers.


This year's festival was held today on a cool May day in a beautiful rural-like farm setting within Naperville's city limits.  Various organizations and vendors were present, along with continuous live music all afternoon, good food, and a number of children's activities.

As stated in a Meet-Up event review about this year's festival, 
Just love this event. It's outdoors, with lots of environmental and sustainable groups represented. Plus, there are informative presentations - e.g., I heard one on fruit tree guilds. You can also purchase vegetable seedlings, fresh eggs, organic fertilizer, jellies, & sauerkraut. There's also a delightful children's garden area with gnomes and oversized insects. We had some very good chili, too. Always meet such interesting people.


Successful events do not happen by themselves.  They are the result of extensive planning and preparation. After coming down from clouds in the wake of the our very successful Earth Day festival at Lake Ellyn, we are already thinking about next year. Naperville is giving us some good ideas.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

May events update

May 5 (this Sunday afternoon) - Green Earth Fair in Naperville, http://greenearthinstitute.org/
 
May 7 - Wheaton Glen Ellyn book fair begins, http://wheatonglenellyn-il.aauw.net/
 
May 9 - Just Views film and discussion about health and sustainably-grown food (see article below)
 
May 10 - Lombard Pride clean-up day, Village of Lombard
 
Railroad heritage exhibit has opened at the Glen Ellyn History Center, Patch article
 
The volcano mulching scourge on parkway trees continues. Yes, you need to tell your mulching contractor how to do it right!  See Village of Glen Ellyn
 
Sign up for the SCARCE newsletter for even more information about environmental information, see upper right corner at SCARCE
 

A quick note about the Earth Day Festival at Lake Ellyn. By all accounts it was a successful , enjoyable and well-attended event.  Regretfully, we had parking problems due in part to another nearby event.  Any suggestions for future Earth Day events in Glen Ellyn are always welcomed!

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Earth Day Festival at Lake Ellyn - April 22


Join us for an evening of celebration at the Lake Ellyn boat house on Earth Day, April 22, at 7:30 p.m.  This will be the 5th annual event, and bigger than ever. This year’s Earth Day theme is “Green Cities.”  We will have over a dozen environmentally- themed groups present, and will have music, refreshments, and outdoor photography to enjoy. If the skies are clear, we will have a star party with telescopes.
 
Our tradition is to offer the environmental groups, educational organizations, and the interested public an opportunity to share information about environmental interests and what has been happening locally. It is always an informative and inspiring event.
Expected groups:
·         Custom Tank Drum
·         DuPage County Environmental Committee
·         GardenWorks Project
·         Glen Ellyn Environmental Commission
·         Glen Ellyn Park District
·         Glen Ellyn Public Library
·         Glen Ellyn Sustainability Group
·         Morton Arboretum
·         Shooting Star Photography
·         Naperville Astronomical Association
·         Prairie Food Co-op
·         Ron Blaukamp (mason bees)
·         The Resiliency Institute
·         SCARCE
·         Sierra Club River Prairie Group
·         Ten Thousand Villages
·         The Bookstore

 

Sponsored by the Glen Ellyn Sustainability Group, in cooperation with the

Glen Ellyn Park District

Monday, February 10, 2014

Detailed Community Survey Results


We enjoyed a good response to the survey.  Heartfelt thanks to those who responded.

Most of the responses came from Glen Ellyn residents.  Results show the strongest interests were in energy savings/conservation, alternative energy, and parks/open space.

Everyone thought that Glen Ellyn would “definitely” or “probably” benefit from an environmental advocacy group, and that it should focus on a variety of activities, but most strongly, it should promote opportunities for a “greener” Glen Ellyn by involving both citizens and local businesses.

What should this group be named?  The most popular response is the name “Glen Ellyn Sustainability Group.”
Next steps should be to adopt the name and start doing some work.  First on the agenda is an Earth Day Festival at the Glen Ellyn boathouse.  The Park District has graciously offered us the room.

Detailed Results:

1.  In what city do you live?
Glen Ellyn – 26
Other – 10
 

2.  What are your strongest interests pertaining to the environment?
 
Gardening/landscaping – 44 %
Historic character of the Village – 36 %
Organic and local foods – 47 %
Energy savings and conservation – 72 %
Recycling – 58 %
Alternative energy – 64 %
Parks and open space – 64 %
Local economy – 33 %
Other – 11 %

Comments:

-          Composting
-          public transportation, biking, walking, preserve local farms
-          all inclusive
-          conservation
-          preserving the planet for future generations
 

3.  Would Glen Ellyn benefit from an environmental advocacy group?
Definitely – 58 %
Probably – 42 %
Skeptical – 0 %

Comments:

-          I think some environmental concerns have been overlooked here and need advocacy
-          Would depend on the support from current Village Trustees

 
4.  What would a local environmental group do?

Promote opportunities for a greener Glen Ellyn – 89 %
Collaborate with existing groups inside and outside of Glen Ellyn – 81 %
Provide networking and educational opportunities – 83 %
Promote citizen and local business involvement – 89 %
Lobby local government officials – 81 %

Comments:

-         DuPage Coffee House and local Green Drinks groups and Sierra Club and Just Views and libraries and other environmental groups
-          Sierra Club, bike federation
-          Local and national environmental groups
-          Other local and regional groups
-          the Environmental Commission, Village Board, Plan Commission
-          Morton Arboretum, Forest Preserve, Sierra Club
-          Historical Society, Rotary, Town Council, other eco-groups in other communities
-          LWV, Sierra Club, Lion's, Rotary, Women's Clubs, Church groups, Chamber, etc....but isn't  Jeff Gahris already a local environmental group? Ha ha!
-          GE Environmental Commission, RPG Group of Sierra Club
-          Sierra Club
-          Chamber, Village Board

 
5.  What suggestions do you have for a name for this group?
Glen Ellyn Cool – 0 %
Glen Ellyn Green – 18 %
Glen Ellyn Green Group – 6 %
Glen Ellyn Environmental Network – 27 %
Glen Ellyn for a Sustainable Economy – 9 %
Glen Ellyn Sustainability Group – 30 %
Citizens for a Green Glen Ellyn – 9 %

Comments:

-          Glen Ellyn’s Future
-          Glen Ellyn for a Sustainable Economy and Environment
-          GE GreenEnvironment
-          "Green" is overused and "greenwashing" is rampant
-          Citizens for a Sustainable Glen Ellyn (C4ASG)

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Community Survey Results


We enjoyed a good response to our short community survey powered by Survey Monkey.  A heartfelt thanks to those who responded.  So here are the results:
 
Most of the responses came from Glen Ellyn residents.  Results show the strongest interests were in energy savings/conservation, alternative energy, and parks/open space.  Everyone thought that Glen Ellyn would “definitely” or “probably” benefit from an environmental advocacy group, and that it should focus on a variety of activities, but most strongly, it should promote opportunities for a “greener” Glen Ellyn by involving both citizens and local businesses
What should this group be named?  The most popular response is the name Glen Ellyn Sustainability Group.
Next steps should be to adopt the new name and start doing some work.  First on the agenda is an Earth Day Festival at the Lake Ellyn boathouse on Tuesday, April 22nd.  The Glen Ellyn Park District has graciously offered us the room. We will gather a small committee to help organize the festival.