Check out this month's local sustainability superstars!

With the new administration's commitment to climate action the EPA has relaunched it's climate change website to provide a trustworthy and accurate public resource on climate change issues and solutions. You'll find a range of information, including greenhouse gas emissions data, climate change impacts, scientific reports, and existing climate programs within EPA and across the federal government.

The website is also available in Spanish here.

Nature has inspired many a poet - perhaps it isn't surprising that we celebrate poetry and our Earth during the same month! Poetry has a way of reaching hearts and minds in a way that can inspire action and sustain hope unlike any numbers or statistics.

April is the perfect time to engage your students in writing and reading poetry about nature, conservation, climate and more.

Kick off a lesson or open an Earth Day activity with Amanda Gorman's Earthrise.

Young readers will enjoy Compost By Gosh - a rhyming story that teaches about composting with worms.

Check out this Earth Month Poetry lesson from the American Association of Librarians that will help elementary students explore their world through a poet's lens.

Secondary students can explore environment-themed poems from Poets.org and the Poetry Foundation.

Citizen Science projects are a great way to get your students doing hands-on learning that makes a difference! Citizen scientists help researchers by collecting, analyzing data, and reporting at a scale that a single scientist could never achieve on their own. Check out two opportunities below or visit scistarter.org to find more projects for students of all ages and skill levels.

Our annual Growin' Green Garden Market is back! Get your school garden ready for a bountiful harvest with supplies and know-how to grow green. Pre-order organic seedlings and food scrap amended compost for pick up Saturday May 1st and get tips from eco-vendors and mini-workshops.

Did you know? Food scrap amended compost has many benefits that help plants thrive: it holds water and nutrients, reduces erosion and pests, and more. Plus, it diverts food waste from landfills, helping to fight climate change. 

Send a photo, drawing, video, or other creative medium to KidsGardening on behalf of the kids you garden with. The entry should tell what they love about their garden or gardening. The more creative the better! Entries accepted through April 30th.

Do your students need volunteer hours? Are you looking for a service opportunity for your eco-club? Sign up for the annual DuPage River Sweep on Saturday, May 15th. Participants will help clean up and restore our local waterways by removing debris in and along our rivers.

Learning about birds is a great way to foster a connection with science and the natural world and inspire students to be lifelong stewards of our shared planet. Young learners especially will enjoy this beautiful interactive illustration from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Hover over each bird to view their name and with a simple click you can hear their call. Many of these species are also commonly found in Illinois.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology offers free starter lessons for k-12 learners that teach science and math concepts while getting kids outside to explore nature.

Students can contribute their bird observations to the eBird citizen science project. eBird is available online and as a mobile application.

Just in time for spring cleaning! Check out our list of upcoming community recycling events for one-stop options to responsibly recycle, dispose, or donate a wide variety of items from around your home such as electronics, medications, paint and more. Items accepted vary by event.

All children's books in SCARCE-LY USED are marked down to $1 each through the month of April! A great option to stock up for end-of-year prizes or summer book bags. See more on the SCARCE-LY USED facebook page.

SCARCE-LY USED is our open-to-the-public store that was started by several amazing volunteers. It is stocked with new and gently-used music records, adult fiction and non-fiction plus new kids story and activity books. All sales support our Reuse Center for teachers and non-profits.