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Green Living

Last Updated: Mar 29, 2024 08:29AM • Subscribe via RSS • ATOM

A woman in rustic dress with wildflowers on front of straw bales.
Farm Vacations: American Agritourism Grows in Post-Pandemic Times

Mar 29, 2024 ● By April Thompson

Long a staple of European travel, agritourism is growing in popularity in the US, as concrete-weary urbanites seek out a taste of country living and a way to support small-scale farms.

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Single-use plastics are marketed as disposable, however most are not being recycled, so they languish indefinitely in landfills or pollute our waterways in the form of microplastics.
A Look at Single-Use Plastics: Understanding the Challenges and Solutions

Mar 29, 2024 ● By Sheryl DeVore

Single-use plastics are marketed as disposable, however most are not being recycled, so they languish indefinitely in landfills or pollute our waterways in the form of microplastics.

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Footprints of leaves and flowers on grass.
Heal Our World Checklist

Mar 29, 2024

Our current practices are depleting Earth's resources faster than they can replenish. It takes 1.5 years to renew what we use annually, signaling an unsustainable trajectory for the planet's future.

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A skunk cabbage spathe bursts through the forest floor.
Skunk Cabbage, First Illinois Native Wildflower, Blooms This Month

Feb 29, 2024 ● By Sheryl DeVore

One of the earliest signs of spring in northern Illinois is a smelly, unusual-looking plant called skunk cabbage.

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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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Pollinator Corridors: Tips to Reestablish Lost Habitats

Feb 29, 2024 ● By Kelcie Ottoes

Pollinators provide vital benefits to people and wildlife, keeping animals and plants that we depend on thriving while bringing us food and supporting the economy.

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Forest Stewardship

Feb 29, 2024

Actions we can take in celebration of International Day of Forests on March 21 and every day to ensure the future of our woodlands.

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Swiss chard growing in the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
From Seed to Plate: Preparing a Backyard Vegetable Garden From Scratch

Jan 31, 2024 ● By Megy Karydes

This month is the perfect time to begin preparing outdoor spaces, which includes starting seeds indoors.

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A snowy trail through the woods.
Winter Night Hikes Offer Unique Way to Commune With Nature

Jan 31, 2024 ● By Sheryl DeVore

On cold winter’s night in February, instead of staying snuggled warm indoors watching television and playing computer games, chose to walk beneath the full moon.

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Batteries and rechargeable batteries
Lowering Our Battery Footprint: A Look at Personal Strategies and Emerging Technologies

Jan 31, 2024 ● By Kelcie Ottoes

Americans buy and discard about 3 billion lithium-ion and alkaline batteries annually. While single-use batteries significantly tax the environment, advancements in production, lifespan and recycling can lead to a greener future.

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An adult bald eagle soars.
January is Prime Time for Bald Eagle Watching in Illinois

Dec 29, 2023 ● By Sheryl DeVore

Today, more than 3,000 bald eagles spend the coldest months in the state, making it the best place to view these majestic raptors in the United States, after Alaska.

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Seniors in the Great Outdoors
Growing Young in Nature: How Seniors Heal in the Great Outdoors

Dec 29, 2023 ● By Kelcie Ottoes

Spending time outdoors can markedly improve a person’s physical, mental and emotional well-being.

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Green Roof with lush vegetation
Finding the Right Eco-Friendly Roof

Dec 29, 2023

While a house is usually a family’s biggest investment, sustainable improvements can be made to make it an environmental asset, too.

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Volunteers gather on an Illinois Nature preserve to work the land.
Volunteers Care For Rarest Illinois Ecosystems

Nov 28, 2023 ● By Sheryl DeVore

Since 1963, when the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission was created by the Springfield legislature, 622 sites encompassing 121,532 acres throughout the state have been dedicated as state nature preserves or land and water reserves.

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Clothing Donation Tips
Clothing Donation Tips: Understanding Where Secondhand Items Go

Nov 28, 2023 ● By Kelcie Ottoes

Donating clothes feels good because we expect it to help someone else. More than 70 percent of the global population wears secondhand clothing.

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Keeping Holiday Parties Green
Keeping Holiday Parties Green

Nov 28, 2023

Let’s make this holiday season a time to remember that sustainability and fun can go hand in hand.

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A bluebird rests on a sumac tree.
Winter Food For Birds Berries, Nuts and Seeds are Available in Yards and Natural Areas

Oct 31, 2023 ● By Sheryl DeVore

In fall, a cornucopia of berries and nuts are available outdoors to feed wild creatures, but beginning in December, the outdoor banquet may seem to mostly have disappeared.

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Joys of Minimalism
The Joys of Minimalism: A Rich Life With Less Stuff

Oct 31, 2023 ● By Carrie Jackson

Finding that material possessions weigh them down, people are turning to minimalism to simplify their physical, mental and emotional space.

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Green Fitness
Green Fitness: Choosing an Earth-Friendly Gym

Oct 31, 2023 ● By Kiki Powers

Traditional fitness centers consume significant amounts of electricity, water and other resources, but more gyms are rising to the challenge of reducing their environmental impact and employing strategies to increase energy efficiency, decrease waste and provide a healthier workout environment.

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Pros Reveal Favorite Leaf-Peeping Spots In The Chicago Area

Sep 29, 2023 ● By Sheryl DeVore

This could be another great year to enjoy changing hues in leaves of trees and shrubs in the region.

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Juy 2026 Issue - Good Vibes, Great Outdoors

Read It Now

Natural Awakenings Chicago July 2026 magazine cover featuring fresh strawberries with the headline “Good Vibes, Great Outdoors” and stories on outdoor wellness, pickleball fitness, vibrant summer salads, sustainable backyard water features and exploring Indiana Dunes.
Click Here to Read Past Issues
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