The Kane County Forest Preserve District is looking for volunteers to help plant trees at Elburn Forest Preserve in Elburn in celebration of Earth Day on Saturday, April 20.
The event, to begin at 9 a.m. at Elburn Forest Preserve at 1N750 Reed St. in Elburn, will include the planting of hundreds of bur oak trees, district officials said in a press release.
All trees will be planted in a couple of hours, and district officials said they can use as many helpers as possible. The planting process is simple — volunteers will plant trees in holes that have already been dug, tamp down dirt and then add water and mulch, according to the release.
Throughout the morning, a pop-up naturalist exhibit will be on site and the Kane Forest Preserve Foundation will have a table featuring information and giveaways.
“Our Earth Day celebration is a great way to give back to your local preserve and the environment,” Forest Preserve Natural Resources Manager Jason Johnson said in the release. “Your contribution will help convert a seven-acre hay field, previously used for agriculture, back into a thriving woodland.”
For groups of 10 volunteers or more, contact the district’s volunteer coordinator at 630-762-2741 or email CleaveRobb@kaneforest.com to register. Groups of less than 10 people are welcome to join in to help during the event without registering in advance.
Parking will be available at the main lot at 1N750 Reed St., as well as at Elburn American Legion Post 630 and in the back lot at Obscurity Brewing. There will be tractor-pulled wagon rides at Shelter A at the preserve to take volunteers to the planting site.
For more information about the Earth Day tree-planting event at Elburn Forest Preserve, go to www.kaneforest.com, call 630-232-5980 or find the Kane County Forest Preserve District on social media @forestpreserve.
Used book sale set in St. Charles
The Friends of St. Charles Public Library will hold its annual Spring Used Book Sale from April 19 to 21 at the library, 1 S. Sixth Ave. in St. Charles.
The sale will run from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 19; from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 20; and from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 21, in the Huntley Community Room at the library.
The book sale will include paperbacks, hardcovers, CDs, DVDs, computer and board games, and more, organizers said.
Established in 1979, the Friends of St. Charles Library is committed to raising funds to support the library for the benefit and enhancement of its services, programs, facilities, staff and the community, group officials said.
For more information on the sale, call 630-584-0076, Ext. 231, or go to scpld.org/used-book-sale.
Dragonflies in the spotlight
Dragonflies will be highlighted during a Kane County Forest Preserve District program from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, May 17, at Pingree Grove Forest Preserve in Pingree Grove.
The session will discuss how and why various types of dragonflies travel different distances as the seasons change. There will also be a walk through a dragonfly habitat to search for early dragonfly arrivals in the region, event organizers said.
The free program is for all ages. Advance registration is required. To register, go to www.kaneforest.com/register, call 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com.
Pingree Grove Forest Preserve is at 14N187 Route 20 in Pingree Grove.
To view a full roster of Forest Preserve District of Kane County programs, go to www.kaneforest.com or find the district on social media by searching @forestpreserve.
Geneva police to take part in Drug Take-Back Day
The Geneva Police Department will work with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency to collect expired or unwanted prescription medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27, as part of National Drug Take-Back Day.
People can turn in their medications to the records specialist at the front desk of the Geneva Police Department, 20 Police Plaza in Geneva, police officials said.
Items that will be accepted include prescription medications, medication samples, over-the-counter medications, vitamins,
pet medications and non-controlled DEA drugs.
Pills should be removed from their original container by pouring them directly into a plastic bag, officials said. Pills in blister packs can remain in the plastic but should be taken out of their boxes. Liquids will only be collected if properly sealed in their original container, according to officials.
People should take any empty prescription bottles and boxes that may contain any personal information back home, police said.
The Geneva Police Department will not accept any ointments, illegal substances or narcotics, thermometers, IV bags, sharps or needles, bloody or infectious waste or empty containers during the event.
After the event is over, the Geneva Police Department will revert to its current practice of accepting unused medication from Geneva residents only.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs, go to the DEA’s website at www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov.
DuPage County offers texting option
DuPage County residents can text their ZIP code to 898211 and be connected with the county’s free 211 health and human services information and referral system.
The new texting option is available between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays. Residents can still dial 211 or go to www.211dupage.gov to find services near them 24 hours a day, seven days a week, county officials said in a news release.
Texting improves the county’s ability to connect residents with resources and support, Human Services Chairman Greg Schwarze said in a statement. Texting will start a conversation with a live, trained operator who can connect residents with the right information.
DuPage County has compiled a database of more than 600 service providers connecting residents to social service resources, including clothing or personal items, disaster help, food, health and wellness, income support, legal aid, transportation and more.
The 211 helpline, which launched in November 2022, is confidential. It has connected more than 8,000 people to social services, county officials said.
It is different from 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which provides free and confidential support for people in a mental health, suicidal or emotional crisis.
