Making the Earth a Better Place: Patch Picks

Every week, Patch will run a feature called Patch Picks, highlighting editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off, and more.  

You’ll find useful lists to help you, your family, friends, and significant others find the best places for everything from Sunday brunch to New Year’s Eve celebrations, pumpkin patches, date night destinations, florists, girlfriend nights out, kids party places, parks and more.

For this week, we're honoring Earth Day with five ideas for making the world a better place.

1. Arbor Day Program at Lemont Park District

Join the Early Childhood Preschool Program for an Arbor Day celebration at noon Friday, April 29, at the , 16028 W. 127th St. The day's events may include tree planting and dedication, a butterfly aviary and a visit from Seamore the eagle, among other activities. For more information, visit www.lemontparkdistrict.org.

2. Help the Lemont Environmental Advisory Commission

See how you can lend a hand to Lemont’s Environmental Advisory Commission. Made up of seven appointed members, the commission keeps abreast of and advises the Village Board on environmental issues. The Commission sponsors Earth Day in April which includes a clean-up, a recycling event and tree planting. A fall recycling day is also sponsored each October. Visit www.lemont.il.us for more information.

3. Visit a Nearby Nature Preserve

Visit the Sagawau Canyon Nature Preserve, 12545 West 111th St., in Lemont, and get up close and personal with the area’s unusual plants and rock formations. Guided walks are scheduled spring through fall. Individual access is restricted to protect the site. For more information, visit fpdcc.com/nature-centers/sagawau-environmental-learning-center.

4. Recycle Unused Medications

Keep unused medications from contaminating the water supply by bringing it into the 14600 W. 127th St., where officials provide safe disposal. For more information, contact Officer Denise Bode at 630-257-2229, ext. 2478.

5. Do Something Nice for Someone Else

Bake someone a cake just because. Learn cake decorating tips during a workshop from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the , 50 E. Wend St. Professional cake designer Donna Eisner will demonstrate techniques for creating beautiful cakes for summer weddings and showers. The program is suitable for adults and children 10 and older when accompanied by an adult. Register online at www.lemontlibrary.org or call 630-257-6541.