Earth Day Celebration - 2009

The McHenry County Conservation District and the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County co-sponsored an Earth Day celebration on Saturday afternoon, April 18. The event, which was attended by over 350 people, was held at the Conservation District’s Prairieview Education Center in Crystal Lake. Deb Chapman, Education Services Manager for the Conservation District, said, “We had fun with the ‘Greener U’ theme this year, offering mini-seminars on sustainable living practices, a resources library, and even Professor Oops and his ecology lessons in the lecture hall.”

             Included in the Earth Day activities were 23 exhibitors on sustainable practices, entertainment by Off Square Music, kids’ activities and puppet show, and a recycling drop-off which collected electronics such as televisions and computers, fluorescent light bulbs, and all types of batteries for recycling. Everyone who completed an Earth Day Survey received a free CFL bulb donated by Commonwealth Edison.

Schools honored by McHenry Schools Environmental Education Program at the event were Chesak Elementary, North Elementary, Woodstock High School, Dean Street Elementary, Harrison, Prairie Hill, Heinemann Middle School, St. Mary’s Catholic School, and Valley View Elementary.

              State Senator Pam Althoff praised the work of the Defenders and the Conservation District in offering environmental awareness information to the citizens of McHenry County through the Earth Day programs.           

              This was the fourth year that the Conservation District has provided the Earth Day site and partnered with the Defenders in educating the public about, and involving people in, solutions to environmental problems. Bill Donato, president of the Defenders remarked, “This year’s event provided many practices that citizens could take back to their own home and reduce their carbon footprint.”