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February 2024

Volume: 34 Issue: 4

ABC's of Smart Recycling

Y is for Yard ~~Waste~~ Trimmings

Yard "waste" isn't really waste at all. It's full of good stuff for your garden!

But what if you don't have room to compost all the spring clean-up leaves, sticks and grass?

Read our blogpost!

Y is for Yard ~~Waste~~ Trimmings.

Teacher Resources

Calling All STEM Squad Educators! Wednesday, Feb. 7, 4:00pm-5:15pm

Join Susan Camasta, from the DuPage ROE STEM Squad, for the last gathering of the year-- right here at SCARCE! Learn about SCARCE resources, and share ideas, activities, or your questions with colleagues.

Plus, there will be snacks and prizes!

BTW: SCARCE accepts many items for reuse and recycling. If you plan to visit, check our list and be smart recycler! SCARCE accepted items.

Garden Grants Available

Whole Foods is offering $3,000 grants for new or existing gardens that serve children in K-12.

Applications open February 1. Close March 1, 2024.

Learn more here.

EPA Indoor Air Quality Grant

Does your school serve low-income, disadvantaged, or tribal communities? There are funds available to monitor and mitigate the air quality in schools.

Online Information Session February 12.

Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply February 22

Learn more about how to apply.

SCARCE Institute Day Workshops

Friday, March 1 - Earn 5 PDs

Learn about the fast-paced world of sustainability!

Spend the day learning about the issues facing our community and sustainable solutions all around us. Take a tour and see locations rarely open to the public.

Learn more here.

Sustainable Design Challenge is Coming!

Tuesday, April 16

It's time to register your team! Registration opened on Feb 1.

This is a unique opportunity for DuPage students to meet professionals in the field of sustainability and to solve real life problems with a hands-on approach.

Learn more here.

SCARCE Does STEAM Fun

Students at Currier Elementary in West Chicago had a great time making art from reused materials, during a visit from SCARCE. Look at those smiles!

How does a watershed work? These kids are discovering the process first-hand. The Home Grown Lilacs homeschool co-op had a field trip to SCARCE to learn all about it.

Jean, the Owl, performs in Deep Roots an interactive environmental presentation for grades K-2.

The kids had just as much fun as our Jean did!

Upcoming Eco-Events

FEB 7

FEB 13

DuPage STEM Educators Network Meeting 4pm

Plastic Pollution & Community Solutions 7-8pm

Schaumburg Library Virtual Program

FEB 23

National Skip the Straw Day

FEB 27

FEB 28

International Polar Bear Day

Making the Switch to Solar Energy 7-8:30pm

Downers Grove Public Library

Sierra Club Lecture: "Why Butterflies Need Volcanoes" 7pm Virtual

Arbor Day, Friday, April 26

Does Your School Need Trees? Yes!

This year's Arbor Day seems more important than ever after the destructive fires of 2023. Millions of trees were lost across the US and Canada. Trees help cool the earth by creating shade and removing carbon from the atmosphere. And they are beautiful!

Consider asking your school to plant a native tree in honor of Arbor Day.

Learn more about Arbor Day

Students from Highland Elementary, Downers Grove plant a tree in front of their school.

Saturday Recycling Events

Feb 10

Wheaton Monthly Recycling Event 9am-12noon

March 10

Go Green Glen Ellyn Sport Swap 1-3pm

Volunteers Needed

Spring is a BUSY time for Green activities. SCARCE needs lots of volunteers to help with outdoor recycling extravaganzas. Do your students need service hours? Forward this information to your school's NHS or other service oriented clubs.

Check out the towns and dates below for opportunities to make the world a greener, happier place!

Lisle - March 16

Addison - April 13 (Addison residents only)

Wheaton - April 13

Hinsdale - April 13

Lisle Township - April 13

Clarendon Hills - April 20

Glen Ellyn - April 27

Glendale Heights - April 27

Click on the Register to Volunteer button below to learn more about volunteering with SCARCE.