There’s a lot going on in April: Earth Month
April’s Environmental Events
Compiled by Sustainable Springfield Inc.
www.sustainablespringfield.org
April 7, Food Not Lawns
On Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m., Bill Hannaford will be discussing his exploration of heirloom vegetables. Find out the ins and outs of growing heirlooms, varieties that do well in our area, and even how to acquire FREE
heirloom tomato starts by participating in the heirloom tomato trials. Meetings are free and open to the public, and children are welcome. The meetings will take place at the downtown public library, 7th and Capitol, in one of the Carnegie meeting rooms on the 1st floor. Parking is available underneath the library.
April 10, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Starhill Forest Arboretum Tour
Starhill Forest Arboretum, Southern Menard County, Petersburg, IL (Directions: www.ilstewards.org) Located on 48 acres, the land was purchased in 1976 by the Sternberg family. The majority of the forest is old growth with the oldest trees dating back to 1850. There are 1300 different types of trees on the property with the primary species being oak (quercetum). The forest also contains approximately 150 other genera of woody plants that are available for study, as well as herb and perennial landscapes, a native prairie garden, several provenance tests, and a conifer plantation. To register or for more information, e-mail isa@ilstewards.org or call (217) 498-9707
April 18, Party for the Planet
3rd annual Party for the Planet at the Henson Robinson Zoo on April 18, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event, which is held in accordance with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, is an Earth Day celebration and centers on providing information in an enjoyable way. There will be scheduled events and/or activities throughout the day as well as informational tables.
Week of April 20, An environmental mini-film fest: Four new and entertaining environmental films are coming to Springfield during Earth Week.
“Flow” Monday, April 20, 6:00pm, Lincoln Library, Followed by a presentation from Citizens for Sensible Water Use. Free Admission, “Food Fight” Wednesday, April 22, 7:00pm,City Nights Theater at Capital City Bar & Grill, Followed by a program from The Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Free Admission
“Greening of Southie” Sierra Club Green Jobs Sunday, April 26, 5:00pm, Hoogland Center Theater, 3rd Floor, Suggested donation of $5 or more. Featured speaker at 6:30 State Representative Mike Boland of Moline, Sponsor of the Illinois Green Buildings Act. A brief intermission and raffle drawing will precede the second film, “Battle in Seattle”
Donations on Sunday will be used to offset costs of the film festival, and any additional proceeds will fund local environmental efforts by the Sierra Club Sangamon Valley Group.
April 21nd, UIS Earth Day Presentation Features Chad Pregracke: The founder of Living Lands and Waters who has made the cleaning up of the Mississippi River his life’s work. Click here to view a video broadcast on MSNBC about him, or check out this website. 7:00 pm, Brookings Auditorium, UIS. Reception to follow. See flyer http://www.sustainablespringfield.org/Graphics/UIS%20Flyer%204%2021%2009.pdf
April 24-25 Green Home & Garden Show:
Take your home to new levels…Learn all about the latest innovations in green solutions at the SAHBA Green Home and Garden Show. Green Building Seminars at the Orr Building, April 24th and 25th. Get your green on and join the next big industry show!
SAVE THE DATE! May 29-30, Newly Expanded Earth Awareness Fair: new programs include speakers, seminars, exhibits, and music from name bands. Details to be announced.