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Eco Brief

1224 Eco Brief Abies fraseri - Frasers fir
Expert Tips for Recycling Christmas Trees After the Holidays

Dec 01, 2024

Properly dispose of live Christmas trees after the holidays, recommends The Morton Arboretum. Recycle bare trees at local facilities or use branches to protect plants or shelter wildlife in your yard.

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Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve to Expand with Addition of 18 Acres

Jul 31, 2024

The Lake County Forest Preserves (LCFP) Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of 18.2 acres to expand Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve, in Lake Forest, at a meeting in July.

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Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge Honored Nationally

Jul 31, 2024

The Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, a dynamic and dedicated Refuge Friends organization, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Molly Krival Award – Refuge Friends Group of the Year.

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Lake County Continues Flight Toward Bird-Friendly Building Design with New Ordinance

Jun 28, 2024

The Lake County Board recently approved a new ordinance to mitigate fatal bird collisions with the installation of glass on nonresidential buildings in unincorporated Lake County.

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Palm Warbler
County Board Passes Groundbreaking, Bird-Friendly Building Design Policy

Jun 03, 2024

The primary aim of the policy is to mitigate hazards for birds posed by the building environment, particularly from collisions with glass surfaces.

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Baltimore Oriole.
World Migratory Bird Day: Celebrating Nature’s Great Journeys

Apr 29, 2024

Pollination, seed dispersal and pest control are just some of the reasons people from around the world have a shared responsibility for conservation and good stewardship of available resources.

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A monarch butterfly lands in one of Ameren Illinois' newly planted pollinator fields.
Ameren Illinois Pollinators Thriving in Metro East

Mar 18, 2024

The company is removing woody and invasive vegetation where it is incompatible and replacing it with native vegetation where feasible as part of its ongoing Pollinator Initiative.

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A group of people working outside on an eco farm.
McHenry County ECO Farm Approved as a Nonprofit

Feb 29, 2024

A widely beneficial operation rooted in the philosophy of helping all of humanity by sharing its produce and supporting Earth with healthy farming methods.

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Lechner Wetlands.
McHenry County Conservation Foundation Makes an Important Land Acquisition

Dec 29, 2023

This transfer ensures these acres become public lands that are protected in perpetuity to benefit both today’s residents and future generations.

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Liberty Prairie store interior.
Liberty Prairie and Prairie Wind Family Farm are Stronger Together

Nov 28, 2023

Liberty Prairie and Prairie Wind Family Farm are deepening their efforts at the intersection of conservation and agriculture, while invigorating the local foodshed.

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Community Tree Planting
Federal Aid to Improve Tree Canopy in Disadvantaged Illinois Communities

Sep 29, 2023

The Morton Arboretum will receive $15 million in federal funding from the U.S. Forest Service through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to expand and improve the tree canopy in disadvantaged communities throughout Illinois.

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Kids planting stuff.
Pollinator Habitat Grants Offered for High School Teachers

Jul 31, 2023

The nonprofit Sand County Foundation is accepting applications from high school teachers in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin for pollinator habitat grants that would give their students hands-on experience in growing native wildflowers and establishing habitat for imperiled insect pollinators including monarch butterflies.

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Bird City Network logo.
Bird City Network Expands Avian Conservation

Jun 30, 2023

The Bird City Network serves as a collaborative platform designed to promote sustainable urban planning, create bird-friendly communities and raise awareness about the vital role people play in supporting bird populations.

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How to Participate in International Compost Week

Apr 28, 2023

International Compost Awareness Week programming combines in-person and hands-on experiences with virtual discussions and presentations to reach diverse and widespread audiences at all stages of life and composting experience.

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Morton Arboretum Going Solar

Nov 30, 2022

As one of the world’s leading tree conservation organizations, The Morton Arboretum is actively pursuing transformative, environmental sustainability throughout its operations.

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December 2024 Issue

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December 2024 Natural Awakenings Chicago cover image mugs and holidays
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