Inviting Nature To Your Yard / The State of the DuPage River

from the Village of Lisle

The Conservation Foundation in conjunction with the Village of Lisle is presenting two workshops on March 22 at 7 p.m. at the , 925 Burlington Avenue.

The first workshop, at 7 p.m., will be Inviting Nature To Your Yard. The “typical” suburban yard can easily be improved to help reduce water run-off, increase wildlife habitat, and improve the soil. The benefits of improving the environment are many including reducing water use, creating more area for birds and butterflies, reducing chemical use, less lawn mowing, and learning how to turn some of the household garbage into rich compost.

This education program will cover a variety of techniques for transforming suburban yards, including the use of rain barrels, rain gardens, and the selection and use of native plants to solve yard problems. Native plants grow naturally and need no watering or fertilizers once established. Native plants thrive on their own and do well, even during drought conditions. Their deep roots hold the soil, allow water to filter down deep into the ground where it belongs and, because they “evolved” here, they attract dozens of species of beneficial wildlife such as butterflies and songbirds. Participants will receive a butterfly attraction and identification pamphlet, and a native plant guide. The speaker will be Jim Kleinwachter, Land Preservation Specialist, from The Conservation Foundation.

The topic of the second workshop, starting around 8 p.m., will be The State of the DuPage River. Stephen McCracken, Director of Watershed Protection for The Conservation Foundation, will explain the ongoing efforts to improve the condition of the DuPage River, including the East Branch which runs through the Village of Lisle. Stephen will discuss the efforts of the DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup, a consortium of municipalities and other governmental agencies,
wastewater treatment plant operators, and environmental groups that works to collect data regarding water and habitat quality along the river, set goals for improvements, and facilitate projects to meet those goals. Those interested in the Lisle area environment will find the program to be of interest.