This summer we'll have the opportunity to build a native garden at UIC Children's Hospital in honor of all the beautiful children that have passed away this year. The UIC Memorial Garden Committee is dedicated to creating green spaces to honor these children. This year they've decided that butterflies are the perfect symbol for perseverance, transformation, and hope. We agree. 

Eric and I had the opportunity to attend S.C.A.R.C.E.'s annual event Saturday, May 6th at their headquarters in Glen Ellyn, IL. Their space was chock full of local organizations selling native plants, trees, vegetables, herbs, compost, rain barrels, chickens, and honey. The event also included mini-workshops on composting and saving the bees that were incredibly informative.

Friday, April 21st was our first Compost Workshop at Gurrie Middle School. It was also the first time students from Gurrie and Highlands Middle School collaborated in the garden. Rose Naseef, mother to Gurrie students and S.C.A.R.C.E. compost educator, led an interactive lesson that introduced students to the history, process, and benefits of composting our soil.

The Forest Preserve District conducts habitat management to restore and maintain the health of its woodlands, grasslands and wetlands. Both staff and trained volunteer stewards, such as John and Lu Anne Dudlo, are crucial to this important work.