Our speaker, Jenny Futterman, has been recognized for her substantial contributions to improving the environment. In fact, in May of 2019, she was the recipient of the City of Highland Park Environmental Award for her example of living a sustainable lifestyle. We asked Jenny to speak to us about how we can help the environment of our community through projects. She presented a few ideas. The first idea would be a pollinator garden along the McClory Bike Path. We could be joining the City and the Park District in this project. It would involve prepping and planting those plants that are native to the area and would bring more butterflies. Along with the garden would be permanent signs identifying invasive plants. She mentioned Citizen Science monitors Monarchs. Citizen Science is scientific research conducted by amateur scientists and encourages public participation. The second idea, is beach and river clean ups which we have done in the past with the Interact Club. The Alliance for the Great Lakes encourages everyone to Adopt-A-Beach. This year, September 18th is their Day Of Action. Friends of the Chicago River is similar in that it focuses on the Chicago River and the waterways that feed into it. Jenny told us there is more than just picking up the trash on the beach or bank of a river - it means cataloging what is found that is polluting the beach. The final idea is recycling. Terracycle is fine-tuning the recycling process which partners with companies that would like to have their products recycled. You sign up for a kit and collect specific items, like Bic Pens, Burt's Bees, Brita, Arm & Hammer, Colgate are just a few of the major companies that participate in this program. When your kit is full, you let them know, they send a label and it ships out. Deerfield participates in this program with a drop off by the Metra station. Jenny was asked if Go Green and the City of Highland Park composted. Jenny said it was done in the schools but with the pandemic, many of the schools will be restarting their efforts. One way we can participate is to begin planting native plants in our own yards, Places like the Lake County Forest Preserve and Chicago Botanic Garden often have native plant sales. There are organic landscapers that can help you as well.
Here are some links for more information on native planting Jenny shared with us: and also |