What We're Up To

Did you know that it is illegal in Illinois to throw certain electronic devices into the trash?  Electronics contain hazardous materials that should be kept out of the environment, as well as valuable and precious metals that can be reused, such as gold, silver, copper, zinc, aluminum, platinum, cobalt, nickel, etc.

The Electronics Recycling Program in Winnetka will resume Thursday, April 3 and will be held each Thursday from 1 – 3 pm at the Public Works Yards at 1390 Willow Road until November 20. Learn more about accepted items here.

Join the landscape designers from North Branch Natives to learn how to create a native garden that supports pollinators and birds. You'll discover how to plan, prepare, and select Illinois-native plants for beauty, low maintenance, and habitat restoration. Co-sponsored by Greener Glenview.

Food Waste Prevention Week is an international educational campaign to reduce food waste and food insecurity. The planning team represents a variety of stakeholders across the food, business, government and environmental education sectors that share a passion for reducing food waste to address food insecurity in our communities, save families money, and support a healthier environment. Check out their website to find an extensive list of in-person events and webinars.

If you have always wanted to see first-hand how organics diversion and composting improve human and environmental health in Illinois (while reducing methane emissions and waste and creating a more circular and equitable economy for all) we have a tour for you! The Illinois Food Scrap & Composting Coalition (IFSCC) is hosting a Green Era compost facility tour in Chicago's Auburn Gresham neighborhood on Tuesday, April 8, from 11 am - 1:30 pm. The tour begins with a presentation at the Healthy Lifestyle Hub and then proceeds to the Green Era Anaerobic Digester, Urban Farm, and Campus, just a few blocks away.

Registration is required here. Go Green Winnetka is driving to this event so please email us to let us know that you would like to attend or of any questions.

Registration to close on April 2

The Illinois Environmental Council, Openlands, American Farmland Trust, Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves, The Nature Conservancy in Illinois, and Prairie State Conservation Coalition have teamed up with the Illinois conservation community to host a gathering at the State Capitol to meet with our legislators and advocate for conservation in Illinois.

Find out about this opportunity to get in front of Illinois legislators and transportation options here.

Go Green Winnetka meets monthly to discuss current initiatives and sustainability efforts. This month we will meet on Wednesday, April 16 at 12 pm on Zoom. Join us to find out what's up for spring and summer 2025, add to the discussion, find opportunities to volunteer, or just listen in. All community members are welcome. Email us at gogreenwinnetka@gmail.com to receive a link.

International Dark Sky Week is a worldwide celebration of night to build awareness about the harmful effects of light pollution and the importance of the global nighttime environment. When we over-light, fail to use timers and sensors, or use the wrong color of light, we can negatively affect many parts of our world, including migratory birds, pollinators, sea turtles, and mammals, including humans. Find out more about planned events and what you can do here.

Let's celebrate both Earth Day and Arbor Day this month! Why not plant a tree? The Village of Winnetka takes requests each year from residents to plant trees for free on Village parkways. If you are interested in having a tree planted in front of your home, fill out the Parkway Tree Planting Request Form here.

Get ready to help One Earth Film Festival build Power in Unity during its 14th annual season! Mark your calendars to attend the Midwest’s premiere environmental and climate justice film festival from April 22 to April 28, for the celebration of Earth Week! Experience in-person screenings across the Chicagoland area, as well as two virtual watch parties across the globe, featuring a diverse, acclaimed selection of films that inspire, educate, include, and mobilize action.

In 2024, Illinois passed a law requiring climate change education (beginning in 2026) in K-12 schools throughout the state. Now that the bill has passed, Climate Education for Illinois and other interested groups are partnering with Subject to Climate to create a Climate Education Hub for Illinois that will offer free curricular materials for educators that align with Illinois state standards and are curated by subject and grade.   

Come on out on Thursday, April 24, 7 – 9 pm, to support climate education. Please consider a donation if you are unable to attend. 

One Person’s Trash...
Winnetka’s Annual Spring Clean-Up is set for May 6–10. Lakeshore Recycling Systems will collect items from the parkway that two people can reasonably lift into a truck. Excluded items include electronics, yard waste, dirt, stone, logs, construction materials, batteries, paint, and other liquids—email us for disposal options. Items must be out by 7 AM on your scheduled pickup day; no call-backs. Find out more.

Another Person’s Treasure...
Before tossing items, consider donating to local rummage sales, thrift shops, animal shelters, or schools. Reuse, repurpose, or recycle when possible! Platforms like Nextdoor, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Freecycle can help find new homes for unwanted items.

Plastic bags can be recycled at many local stores. Electronics, sneakers, and polystyrene can be dropped off at Winnetka Public Works on Willow Road. Find out more.

The Backyard Bird Chronicles is a gorgeous, witty account of birding, nature, and the beauty around us that hides in plain sight, written and illustrated by Amy Tan, the best-selling author of The Joy Luck Club. Not surprisingly, the birds that inhabit Ms. Tan's backyard seem a lot like the characters in her novels. Ms. Tan charts her foray into birding and the natural wonders of the world through daily entries, thoughtful questions, and beautiful original sketches.

In search of peace in an increasingly divided world, Ms. Tan turned toward the natural world just beyond her window and, specifically, the birds visiting her yard. But what began as an attempt to find solace turned into something far greater—an opportunity to savor quiet moments during a volatile time, connect to nature in a meaningful way, and imagine the intricate lives of the birds she admired.
 

Please register below and email Go Green Reads with any questions.
 

Thank you to The Book Stall and the Winnetka - Northfield Public Library District for their generous support of our communities and these discussions!*

*Note: You may find Go Green Reads book selections on the book club hold shelf behind the reference desk at the Winnetka branch of the Library.