Rain Barrel Volunteers Needed

On Saturday, May 8th, the Village of Downers Grove will be distributing rain barrels with the help of the Conservation Foundation. The Pierce Downers Heritage Alliance members will be there to help and we have also been asked to help. Over 400 barrels have been ordered! Help will be needed to collect checks, direct drivers and load barrels into vehicles. If you can help, we will send you more detailed information. Please e-mail Erin Tuttle at : etuttle@theconservationfoundation.org if you can help for a few hours.

One Seed Chicago Winner!

One Seed Chicago recently unveiled the winner at the 18th Annual Green & Growing Fair at the Garfield Park Conservatory. After four months of voting, Bee Balm has emerged triumphant over Purple Coneflower and Nodding Onion as the One Seed Chicago for 2010. Everyone who voted will receive their free seed packet in the mail. Those who didn't get a chance to vote can request a free seed packet at www.OneSeedChicago.com while supplies last. They'll be mailing out over one million seeds this year all across Chicago.

Read the full press release here.

Free Green Festival Ticket

The Chicago Green Festival features 125 speakers, a creative green kids program, an exciting eco-fashion show, social justice films, green home workshops, community action and fair trade pavilions, local organic beer and wine garden and delicious organic food restaurants.

Chicagoans will learn from and shop at more 340 green retailers, organizations, farmers, institutions, manufacturers and campuses. Representing over 20 industry and business categories, our exhibitors are committed to people & planet conscious products and services.

Here is a link to a free ticket and a PDF of a free ticket to the Chicago Green Festival on May 22nd and 23rd at Navy Pier:

http://www.greenfestivals.org/chicago-free-ticket-offer

Chicago 's Green Festival speakers bring you the hottest topics from toxic free homes and sweatshop free clothing to green social media and green building. Green Festival exhibitors are screened for their commitment to sustainability, ecological balance and social justice using Green America's nationally recognized green business standards. For a list of presenters visit http://greenfestivals.org/speaker-directory/chicago-2009.

Join us at Lyman Woods for a special event

Our special meeting on May 5 at 7pm will be held at the Lyman Woods Interpretive Center (at the corner of Highland and 31st St., entrance off of 31st in Downers Grove) and will feature our very own Erin Tuttle! Erin will talk about organic gardening, giving an overview of organic gardening principles, designed to inspire listeners to view our gardens in a whole new light. I hope you all will be able to join us there.

This meeting is being co-sponsored by the DG Park District Natural Areas. In order for them to have enough seating available, we are asking that you please RSVP to Annie Jagielski at anniegj@gmail.com by Friday April 30th, 2010. Thank you!

Cathy Hlohowskyj

P.S. Don't forget our plant sale on May 22nd at Hummer Park from 9am-3pm. We will have the "jobs" sign-up sheet at the May 5th talk.

April Meeting

Join us on Wednesday, April 14 at 7 PM when Go Green Wilmette will offer tips on reducing your carbon footprint. As always, you are welcome to attend the board meeting, which begins at 6:30.

Park District Programs feature Cathy and Erin

The Downers Grove Park District is featuring DGOG president Cathy Hlohowskyj and member Erin Tuttle in two programs this spring.