DuPage Forest Preserve Referendum

Yoga in the Garden

Member and yoga teacher Kate is hosting yoga in the garden before our usual Saturday morning workdays on October 5th, 12th and 26th (not the 19th). Class runs from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Please wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat--one can be provided to you if needed. Props like blocks and wedges will also be available. This is an all-levels class which offers variations to match each person's ability. We do not charge for this class, but any donations you'd like to make to our teacher for volunteering her time and experience would be appreciated. We really love how special yoga feels when surrounded by a rising sun, autumnal flowers and the changing leaves. We hope you will join us for a lovely and healthy way to start your weekend. NOTE: If we cancel yoga due to weather conditions, we will be live at 8 a.m. on YouTube here.  

Fantastic Fall Color at Prairie Sun

Sustain DuPage's final workshop in our native plant series with Pat Armstrong for this year will take place at Pat's home: Prairie Sun; a groundbreaking example of sustainable architecture and landscaping in DuPage County. Participants will learn how to identify 39 native trees, shrubs, and plants whose leaves provide beautiful color displays in the autumn, and provide food that can be harvested in Fall and Winter. Attendees will also be able to dig Jerusalem artichokes for food, as well as dig sassafrass roots and enjoy homemade sassafrass tea, wild plums, and native cactus fruit!  Click here to learn more and purchse tickets

Dyeing with Plants

We had a wonderful workshop about using dyes grown in the garden led by Lisa Sikorski. We hope to hold this event again in the future. In the meantime, Lisa will be at the garden workday on October 19th to create limited edition Sustain DuPage handkerchiefs. Come to help and see the transformation with all natural materials!

Seed Savin' Social 2024

On Sunday, we welcomed the much needed rain as we celebrated the harvest by consolidating our seed, making autumn equinox wreaths and feasting together. Thanks to all who attended, returned seeds to share, and brought small glass jars for seed storage. We are especially grateful for all our volunteers who shared their time and talent to make this event memorable.  

 

Movie in the Garden

A huge thank you to Members Wendy and Roger Vernon for organizing a fantastic evening in the garden last Friday. Wendy orchestrated a viewing of the thought-provoking documentary "Common Ground", which explores the fundamental flaws in our current food system and how sustainable and environmentally friendly methods can fix them while improving farmer profits and health. For those who couldn't attend, we encourage you to see this film and join the discussion. A delicious meal was also provided, and a great time was had by all. Thank you for this special event and to all who joined us! 

Gardeners 

We've been enjoying a fruitful year, but all good things eventually come to an end. As we enter this season of harvest, celebration, and rest, we will start to limit our gardening days. Due to the lack of evening sun, we will be cancelling our Wednesday work nights after October 9th. Our last official workday will be Saturday October 26th. Any additional workdays in November will be added as necessary. We met so many new volunteers this year, which really made this season special, thank you! We are looking forward to seeing you again in 2025 when we start our winter garden planning sessions.

 

Compost Crew 

Although we advocate for leaving your leaves in place for insect habitat, we understand most people don't want them in their yards. So, if you're going to get rid of them, why pay to send them to a landfill when you can drop them off for FREE and turn them into soil that will help grow local food?

Bring your bagged leaves to our compost site and we'll take care of them for you. For the health and safety of our volunteers and our garden, we ask that you don't include any of the following:

• Large sticks or thorny branches (including rose and raspberry canes)
• Plastic garbage
• Animal droppings
• Chemically treated lawn clippings

If you'd like to save your bags, dump the leaves to the side of our bins and take the bags back with you. We take drop-offs from dawn to dusk at our garden location. Park near the green garages and follow the signs to Sustain DuPage and you'll see our composting area to the right as you come down our garden path.

Please note that the grounds are both a school as well as an arboretum, so we ask people not to drive to the compost pile and to be careful during school hours. Our volunteers can help you unload your car between 9 AM-12 PM on Saturday mornings in October if you need assistance.  

If you're interested in volunteering with our Compost Crew, please contact Stasia via email here. It's a great way to get exercise as you help the environment!

 

Protectors 

Keep an eye out for news about our first ever prairie burn of our restoration space! This will include an informational class beforehand lead by our Burn Boss Dave Hodge. Burn crew will be made up of our local volunteers! If you are interested in participating in our habitat restoration program this winter, please email davidb@sustaindupage.com. 

We will also be assisting the Klein Creek restoration project with a volunteer planting day in mid-to-late October. If you're interested in participating by helping plant wetland and native plant plugs, please email info@sustaindupage.com for more information. 

 

Food Security Squad 

Our group food donations continue to increase! We have donated over 246 lbs. of herbs/produce, 277 lbs. of food/personal care items and $450.

 

This has been a great first summer re-boot of the Food Security Squad . We appreciate everyone who has helped with donations, deliveries and ideas! We will have additional FSS events in support of our neighbors in need throughout the year. Check out the October Spice Drive for World Food Day detailed later in the newsletter.

 

If you have suggestions on how to increase the impact of this project, please  email Diane here or email Betty here.  

October Spice Drive for World Food Day 

With produce production slowing down and the approach of the holiday season, Food Security Squad will be collecting spices for donation to our local food pantries for World Food Day on October 16th.

 

Spices have been used for centuries both for culinary and medicinal purposes. Spices not only enhance the flavor, aroma and color of food, but they may also boost your immune system, reduce inflammation and help fight disease. 

 

The most used spices around the globe are: black pepper, cumin, garlic, ginger, chili pepper, cinnamon, paprika, turmeric, cardamom, coriander, cloves and nutmeg. Please consider buying extra of your favorite spice(s) to share.

 

Donations may be dropped off on the picnic table outside the shed at the SD Garden on the following garden workdays: Wednesdays 10/2 and 10/9; and Saturdays 10/5 and 10/12. 

 

In Our Community

10/03/24 7 PM DuPage Organic Garden Club - Spiders: Loathed Allies 
John Cebula will explore the life cycle, variety, and environmental role of these tiny predators, only a few of which can harm humans. He shares methods to discourage spiders in our houses, first aid for bites, and how to recognize some of the most common local species. Reserve your space here at the Carol Stream Public Library.

10/5/24 1-4 PM OAKtoberfest 2024 Celebrate OAKS at Maryknoll Park in Glen Ellyn! Family friendly and free for all ages. Yoga, performances by School of Rock, learn how to plant an oak, face painting, and so much more! Many exhibitors and vendors including custom OAKtoberfest beer from Two Hound Red (beer for purchase). See all the details here: Go Green Glen Ellyn OAKtoberfest 2024  

10/28 6-8 PM Arboretum BYOP: Fiber Arts Participants will join other enthusiasts to work on their own fiber art projects. With the support of one another, along with two skilled crochet and knitting instructors, beginners and beyond will be able to work on their projects in a fun and encouraging environment. While all skill levels are welcome, only informal instruction will be provided, so having some basic knowledge is encouraged. This event repeats in November and December as well.  https://mortonarb.org/explore/activities/adult-programs/bring-your-own-project-fiber-arts/#overview 

Coming up in Sustain DuPage

12/7/24 10 AM - 2 PM. Save the date! Sustain DuPage is planning a group outing where we will have the opportunity to learn together, and do a little holiday shopping too! Here's a hint at what we are planning; more details will be in the November newsletter.     

If your organization's event falls within the mission of Sustain DuPage and you'd like to advertise it in our newsletter, please contact us at info@sustaindupage.com.