Celebrate Earth Day 2008 in the Forest Preserve This Sunday

On Sunday, April 20^th, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the citizen’s group “The Thatcher Woods Savanna Restoration Project” and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County’s “Trailside Museum of Natural History” is co-sponsoring an Earth Day 2008 Celebration. Held in Thatcher Woods Forest Preserve at Chicago and Thatcher Ave. and also at Trailside Museum at 738 Thatcher Ave. in River Forest, this free event features fun, earth-friendly activities for the whole family.

A guided bird walk to see spring migrant and nesting woodland birds will start the day at 7:30 a.m. At 9:00, families and scout troops are invited to join in a clean-up of the Thatcher Woods Forest Preserve. Gloves and bags will be provided. A walking tour of areas of Thatcher Woods undergoing ecological restoration follows at 10:30 a.m. Says Victor Guarino, Volunteer Steward of Thatcher Woods, “ People are always amazed at the diversity of wildflowers and trees within Thatcher Woods. It is one of the highest quality preserves in the area.”

By 11:00, the Earth Day activities held at Trailside Museum will be in full swing. Visitors will be able to enjoy presentations from Forest Preserve fish biologists on local fish, and then kids can try their hand at pond fishing – all equipment provided. Other presentations will include Prescription Burning demonstrations by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County burn crew, educational bird of prey and snake presentations by Forest Preserve Naturalists, a children’s craft, face painting, a family nature scavenger hunt and more. Presentations on worm composting and organic gardening will be ongoing. Says Trailside Museum Director Jim Chelsvig, “The Earth Day event reminds people to enjoy the wonders that the Earth has to offer, as well as showing them ways to do their part to help the environment.” Chelsvig continued, “Donations of old or unwanted bicycles to the non-profit group Working Bikes Cooperative will be accepted during Earth Day. This group will repair the bicycles and recycle them by giving them to adults and children in need, both in the USA and abroad.”  

Other activities include a Wildflower Walk, a History Hike, storytelling, music, displays by environmental groups and archaeologists, and much more. For more information about the Earth Day 2008 Celebration, and the times and places for specific activities, please call 708-366-6530.