by Kevin Harvey | Oct 12, 2015 | Outdoor Spaces, Trees
Go Green Wilmette works with the Village, the Wilmette Park Districts and residents to protect and expand our “suburban forests.” Our Tree Walks draw more than sixty people annually to learn more about our trees. Many of the dead trees you see are ash trees,...
by Kevin Harvey | Sep 19, 2015 | Outdoor Spaces, Trees
The midwest has lost many trees in recent years due to disease and pests but one of the most common causes of the death of a tree is the harm that is unwittingly done to it by humans. There are a number of things that we can all do to protect our trees. It is...
by Kevin Harvey | May 5, 2015 | Outdoor Spaces, Yard Care
You can have an attractive lawn without the use of chemicals, and there are many reasons to choose to use chemical free lawn care. Children are much more at risk for any potential health effects due to chemicals. Their bodies are still developing so they can be more...
by Kevin Harvey | Apr 10, 2015 | Energy, Energy Conservation
Dryers use a lot of residential electricity so Mr. Green of the Sierra Club addressed this question. The most energy efficient way to dry your clothes is to use the energy from the sun and hang your clothes to dry. For those that want to use a dryer, there are now...
by Kevin Harvey | Jun 4, 2014 | Projects
Go Green Wilmette is concerned about stormwater management, conserving water resources for future generations, maintaining water quality in the era of growing pollution and preserving Lake Michigan for recreational purposes. As a result of conversations with elected...
by Kevin Harvey | Jun 4, 2014 | Air and Water, Outdoor Spaces
Flooding in yards and basements during heavy rainstorms is a major problem on the North Shore. It is an issue that many of the local villages are are struggling to address with long term solutions. Fortunately, there are steps that we can take as homeowners to...
by Kevin Harvey | May 16, 2014 | Air and Water
Wilmette bans leaf blowers during the summer for a number of reasons. Gas-powered leaf blowers throw mold, gas fumes, fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, dirt, dust, bugs, and animal fecal matter, into the air for us to breath until it rains. And leaf blowers emit...
by Kevin Harvey | May 6, 2014 | Energy, Energy Conservation
This question was asked of our good friend Mr. Green of the Sierra Club. This is his response. “Manufacturing a refrigerator doesn’t demand as much from our dear old battered environment as you might think. A new fridge that saves you just 100 kWh a year will...
by Kevin Harvey | Apr 7, 2014 | Air and Water
Letting your car idle while in park might not seem like a big deal. Many of us of a certain generation were taught, in fact, that it was safer to let your car idle before you drove it. However, letting your car idle is actually detrimental to the modern automotive...
by Kevin Harvey | Mar 31, 2014 | News
We are so proud to announce that Beth Drucker, founder of Go Green Wilmette was honored by the District 39 Educational Foundation. Beth received the Distinguished Citizen Award on Thursday, April 17, 2014. A packed audience celebrated Beth’s 25 years of...
by Kevin Harvey | Mar 18, 2014 | Air and Water
Spring in Chicago is generally rainy and we can all benefit from the use of rain barrels. Rain barrels collect rain water and cut down on our use of water from our hoses for our non-potable water usage. Some gardeners are perfectly comfortable using the water from...
by Kevin Harvey | Jan 28, 2014 | Low Impact Living, Reduce and Reuse
Use paper with the highest post–consumer recycled content possible – at least 30%. Often 100% post-consumer recycled paper is perfectly suitable – give it a try. Set up centralized files on your network to be shared. You’ll reduce paper use and file space....
by Kevin Harvey | Dec 14, 2013 | Programs and Events
Go Green Wilmette works to improve Wilmette’s air quality by helping to make residents and lawn care companies aware of Wilmette’s ordinance which does not allow the use of gas-powered leaf blowers on residential property from May 15 – September 30...
by Kevin Harvey | Dec 14, 2013 | Air and Water, Energy
Go Green Wilmette works to reduce idling in our community. The purpose of the Idling Reduction Campaign is two-fold – to save energy and to reduce air pollution. There are NO IDLING signs posted at Wilmette’s Metra train station, the Wilmette Park District’s Community...
by Kevin Harvey | Nov 25, 2013 | Low Impact Living, Transportation
Wilmette has many public transportation opportunities. Learn more about your options and use public transportation regularly: PACE SUBURBAN BUS SERVICE Pace Suburban Bus Service of the RTA is the local public transportation agency for the Chicago area suburbs. Bikes...
by Kevin Harvey | Nov 24, 2013 | Energy, Energy Conservation
Energy efficiency protects our environment and saves money at the same time. Being an energy-efficient consumer reduces the use of oil, natural gas and coal resources and decreases the pollution and harmful emissions that occur during energy production and use....
by Kevin Harvey | Nov 24, 2013 | Air and Water
Water is life. We can’t live without it. Yet, our finite water resources are being rapidly depleted and polluted. Although water is a renewable resource, we use water at a greater rate than it can replenish itself naturally. It’s also important to reduce the run off...
by Kevin Harvey | Nov 20, 2013 | Birds and Insects, Outdoor Spaces
To start with, try planting more native plants. Many native butterflies lay eggs ONLY on native “host plants.” For example, milkweed is the sole “host plant” for Illinois’ State insect, the Monarch Butterfly. To attract monarchs, plant “Common” Milkweed for...
by Kevin Harvey | Nov 15, 2013 | Programs and Events
Members of Go Green Wilmette helped establish North Shore Green Women in 2013. Working with women from other north shore communities, we modeled this group after Chicago’s Women In Green (WIG) and the two groups are affiliated. The purpose of the group is to provide...
by Kevin Harvey | Nov 13, 2013 | Programs and Events
Each summer, Go Green Wilmette participates in Wilmette’s Summerfest, a two-day event that brings thousands of people into downtown Wilmette. We have an information booth manned by our summer intern and local volunteers. It is an excellent opportunity for us to share...
