• Editor’s Note: This article was updated Thursday to include Fermilab’s Earth Day activities. If we miss any other Earth Day related events in this article, just send an email to nagelrick@co.kane.il.us, and I’ll add your event to this article.

Kane County Forest Preserve District has two very cool ways to celebrate Earth Day 2015, but there are more.

Earth Day 2015 officially takes place on April 22, and the official theme is “Our Turn to Lead.” There are a number of celebrations April 18 and April 22 in Kane County, including the following.

Kane County Forest Preserve District

With the Kane County Forest Preserve District, you can help plant oak trees from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fitchie Creek Forest Preserve, 39W933 Russell Road, Elgin.

There’s also an Earth Day hike from 10 a.m. to 1  p.m. Tuesday, April 22. Naturalists will help you explore the woods and prairie and look for wildlife and wildflowers during this special walk. There will be hands-on activities and stories along the trail. This event is free, family-friendly, and open to all ages.

Groups of 10 or more, please contact the Kane County Forest Preserve District’s volunteer coordinator at 630-762-2741 or volunteer@kaneforest.com to RSVP. Groups of less than 10 do not need to register.

Geneva to Celebrate Earth Day April 18

Bring the entire family to Peck Farm Park Saturday, April 18, as Geneva goes green for Earth Day thanks to the city’s Natural Resources Committee and Geneva Park District.

The eighth annual event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the park, 4038 Kaneville Road. Residents can purchase rain barrels, receive a bicycle safety check, learn best “green” practices, shred documents for free and recycle electronics. Other Earth Day highlights include a kids’ fun run at 11:30 a.m., small petting zoo, chalk art, children’s activities, chair massages and more. Families also are invited to walk Peck Farm to enjoy the natural surroundings.

Patrons can stop by Geneva Public Library’s table for their “take a book or leave a book” program. The “reading green” idea asks people to bring a gently used book from home and exchange it for another used book of their choice.

US Again will accept old textiles at the Earth Day event. No rugs or carpets will be accepted.

People also are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

Prior to festivities, start off the day with an Earth Day Clean-up at Peck Farm Park. Families are invited to join a 2.5-mile hike from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Participants will meet in the park’s courtyard before starting their hike and should wear garden gloves for picking up trash and comfortable shoes.

For more information about Earth Day, call the Geneva Park District at 630-262-8244 or visit www.genevaparks.org. People can learn more about Geneva’s Natural Resources Committee by visiting the City’s website at www.geneva.il.us or “Geneva NRC” on Facebook..

Elgin Community College

Elgin Community College Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization will be hosting a Sustainability Maker Faire on Wednesday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place at the Building J Events Center on the college’s campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.

Community members, students and businesses will learn how to imbed sustainability into their everyday lives, encourage collaboration and present ideas at the Faire. Participants are encouraged to get involved and make a difference through experiential learning.

Featured events include a Shark Tank style pitch competition, ECC maker challenge, community carnival, family activities, Kidz Zone and an eco-friendly bazaar. Participants can enjoy organic food and live music while learning more about the ECC Wellness Center, organic fashion, enjoy an eco-art show, hear presentations by visionary speakers and join in on a fitness and yoga demonstration. The Shark Tank competition will be judged on the best idea or concept based on sustainability. There will also be a live and virtual panel about Sustainability.

To register for the event, visit www.eccsm2015.eventbrite.com.

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory

Get ready to celebrate Earth Week next week. From Monday to Thursday, Fermilab will offer staff plenty of opportunities to learn more about how we can be better stewards of the Earth.

April 20 at noon: Spring wildflower walk for employees. Meet in the interpretive trail parking area and bring a camera, notebook and outdoor shoes. Contact Ryan Campbell at x3303 for more information.

April 21 at 11:30 a.m.: Arbor Day tree planting. See the Sustainability website for more details.

April 22, 11:15 a.m.: LEED gold-certified IARC Office, Technical and Education Building tour. Meet in Wilson Hall atrium at 11:15 a.m. Email Katie Kosirog for more details or to RSVP. Reservations are required by 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21.

April 23, 11:30 a.m.: Earth Day Fair in Wilson Hall atrium.

SOURCE: Fermilab Today