by Meagan Provencher, Natural Resources Commissioner There is nothing better than seeing all kinds of winged visitors in your garden. Butterflies dive-bombing the butterfly weed, hummingbirds buzzing around the salvia, tiny bees and insects visiting all the flowers in the garden. It’s fun to watch them go about their busy lives with no care for… Read More Attracting Pollinators To Your Yard
Spring, summer and fall are the best times of year for overnight camping or day trips, picnics in the park and on the beach, and tailgating. No matter what outdoor event you organize this year, food will surely play a major role in the festivities, and when you’re away from home, portable grills will most… Read More Outdoor Cooking Safety Tips
HorsePower Therapeutic Riding was founded in 2012 to provide creative, inspiring, and challenging therapeutic horseback riding lessons to children and adults with disabilities. Since our inception we have expanded to include equine-assisted learning, animal-assisted activities, and ranch connection programs. These programs have allowed our participants to experiencesocial, emotional, cognitive and physical growth in an inclusive… Read More Horsepower Therapeutic Riding Helps Children and Adults with Disabilities
As a leading provider of child development services, Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley is here to help raise healthy and happy children. Our free, online screening tool helps monitor the five key growth areas during a child’s critical years before kindergarten. We know during this time, a child’s brain develops connections that serve as the… Read More Monitor Your Child’s Social & Emotional Skills, Take Easterseals Free Online Screening Tool
By Natural Resources Commissioner Ryan Johnson Did you know that the mighty oak tree is the dominant tree type in northern Illinois forests? There are nine species of oak that are native to Illinois, but the white oak (Quercus alba), bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), and the red oak (Quercus rubra) are the most common. These… Read More The Mighty Oaks in St. Charles
Unfortunately Dementia is a disease that can devastate a person’s ability to socialize, but being among other people is incredibly important for our loved ones with Dementia. Social interaction is healthy, like exercise for the brain, and can slow symptoms including deteriorating memory. In fact, staying socially engaged with friends and family has been shown… Read More Socialization and Dementia
by Laura Miller Hill, St. Charles Natural Resources Commissioner When it rains, paved surfaces, like streets and sidewalks, prevent rainwater from naturally soaking into the ground. The old adage “water will find its level” holds true during storms as water runs off roofs and down driveways making its way through city streets and into storm… Read More The Benefits of Keeping Rainwater Closer to Where it Falls
From the National Alliance on Mental Illness Kane-sough, DeKalb & Kendall Counties A St. Charles Mental Health Board Funding Recipient To be able to care for the people you love, you must first take care of yourself. It’s likethe advice we’re given on airplanes: put on your own oxygen mask before trying to helpsomeone else… Read More Taking Care of Yourself
By Natural Resources Commissioner Pam Otto What comes to mind when you think of a good neighbor? State Farm? The folks next door? Bald-faced hornets? Okay, that last one may sound like a stretch. After all, aren’t hornets the critters people get “mad as”? Isn’t “stirring up a hornet’s nest” the last thing you want… Read More Wasp Nests
By Heather Goudreau, Natural Resources Commissioner The St. Charles Natural Resources Commission is excited to host the annual Pumpkin Smash on Saturday, November 5th. Last year we collected 797 pumpkins and we hope to smash that number in 2022. This is a drive through event, making it quick and easy to get your pumpkins composted,… Read More Annual Pumpkin Smash is Nov. 5