Celebrate Earth Day 2021 with The Volunteer Center and our Partner James Martin Associates Saturday April 24th

Get down and dirty and help “Restore our Earth”!

The Volunteer Center and James Martin Associates
Host A Special Opportunity to Honor Earth Day

Saturday, April 24th, from 9:30-11:30 am

Individuals and families are invited to participate in this year’s National Earth day theme, “Restore Our Earth” by removing invasive plants and other projects that will help restore native habitat for birds and pollinators in Harbert-Payne Woods in Evanston on the North Shore Channel.

Registration is required, as the project is limited to 30 people, ages 5 through adult 

In order to accommodate safe distancing — and to facilitate small group led projects by the Woods’ lead volunteers — registration is limited. Please do not delay your reservations! To Reserve space(s),  email Barb Tubekis at info@volunteercenterhelps.org.  Once we have your registration we will provide you the exact park location to meet us the morning of the 24th. We will also email you a waiver to sign and bring with you from the City of Evanston as protocol. There will be some supplies available, but volunteers are encouraged to bring shovels or hand trowels, work gloves, water bottles and sun protection and Masks are required. There are no fees required, but donations are welcome for the Channel Habitat Fund to purchase more plants to support the restoration work at Herbert-Payne Park and the Ladd Arboretum.

More info About the Project and Harbert-Payne Woods 

Allison Sloan, a steward of the Channel will provide information about the project and its importance of these three acres of cottonwood forest along the east bank of the North Shore Channel. Over time, the woods have become overgrown with invasive buckthorn bushes and strewn with dead ash trees killed by the invasive emerald ash borer beetle. Community members have come together to replace the invasives with native shrubs and wildflowers to provide food and cover for native songbirds, and to plant a forest of native food-producing plants for humans to educate future generations about the critical role of wild foods in our ancestors’ survival. After all, wild onions are the namesake for “Checagou” by Native Americans.

About James Martin Associates Landscaping 

Project sponsor and Volunteer Center partner James Martin Associates has been designing and managing practical, creative and award-winning landscapes in the Chicagoland region since 1977. They are a nationally recognized, employee-owned landscaping firm as well as a steward of our environment. Through the use of recycled materials created at their facility and an emphasis on green and lean strategies, they do their part to help maintain the environment for their clients.

About the Volunteer Center 

Established in 1960, The Volunteer Center (VC) works with over 165 nonprofit partner organizations to help individuals, families, and service groups find ways to volunteer their time and help others in the community. We also help groups develop and implement effective service-learning programs in schools, faith-based organizations and civic groups, and sponsor community Days of Service.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO RESERVE SPACE(S), CONTACT BARB TUBEKIS AT Info@volunteercenterhelps.org