by Tina Schultz | Apr 16, 2025 | Birds and Insects, Dark Skies
Plants and animals depend on natural light cycles to govern life-sustaining behaviors such as reproduction, nourishment, sleep, and protection from predators. Artificial light at night has deadly effects on many creatures, contributing to the decline of biodiversity...
by Tina Schultz | Apr 16, 2025 | Dark Skies, Outdoor Spaces
International Dark Skies Week is April 21 – 28th. Less than 100 years ago, most everyone could look up and see a spectacular starry night sky. Now, millions across the globe may never experience this spectacle due to the use of artificial light at night which...
by Tina Schultz | Apr 1, 2025 | Birds and Insects, Outdoor Spaces
In April and May, Wilmette will see thousands of songbirds migrating north to breed. So many fly through or stop in our area that you can follow them on radar! These tiny visitors will rest and eat insects in our yards to fuel up, and if you’re lucky, you might...
by Tina Schultz | Mar 21, 2025 | Outdoor Spaces, Yard Care
Green plants are beginning to peek above the soil, which can be an encouraging sign that spring has sprung. What you don’t want to see in your yard, however, are the little clumps of heart- or arrowhead-shaped leaves. This is lesser celandine, an aggressive...
by Tina Schultz | Mar 14, 2025 | Birds and Insects, Outdoor Spaces
Your yard can be a haven for bees and butterflies this spring We need insects in our environment! They play many roles in nature, such as pollinating plants, improving soil health and providing food for birds in our area as well as for other creatures. Numbers of...
by Tina Schultz | Feb 22, 2025 | Low Impact Living, Transportation
Traveling can pack a large eco-footprint but there are things you can do to minimize it. Your choices and travel dollars can lead to positive change. Ask questions before you book your travel. Let all operators know that sustainable travel is important to you and will...
by Tina Schultz | Dec 7, 2024 | Low Impact Living, Product Choices
You can enjoy the holidays even more when you reduce the environmental impact of your gift giving and celebrations. And shared experiences are often the best and most memorable part of the holidays. Give Wilmette Gift Cards for local shopping and dining, and hand-made...
by Tina Schultz | Dec 4, 2024 | Low Impact Living, Recycle
Every year after the holidays, Go Green Wilmette and the Village of Wilmette hold a Styrofoam recycling event, to keep holiday packaging out of our landfills. Check our calendar for dates. The Styrofoam will be taken to Abt Electronics to be melted into a material...
by Tina Schultz | Dec 3, 2024 | Low Impact Living, Recycle
New LED lights use a fraction of the energy of older holiday lights. Upgrade to energy-efficient lights this year and drop off old or broken lights at the Village’s Public Works facility for recycling. String lights only, no lighted garlands or lawn ornaments....
by Tina Schultz | Nov 21, 2024 | Low Impact Living, Reduce and Reuse
As you gear up for the holidays, remember the Earth in your planning and gift giving. Reduce the sources of waste instead of wondering later whether you can fit it all in your trash toter. For parties, use china, glassware, cloth napkins and reusable cutlery instead...
by Tina Schultz | Nov 20, 2024 | Low Impact Living
Plan a low-waste Thanksgiving If you’re hosting a dinner this Thanksgiving, start planning now to reduce the waste often generated by holiday meals. You’ll probably save money along the way! Plan to use your china, glassware, flatware and cloth napkins...
by Tina Schultz | Oct 1, 2024 | Low Impact Living
There are lots of ways to reduce the impact of Halloween. Here are just a few: Create costumes and decorations from items you already have at home. Skip the fake webbing on bushes as it can trap and kill insects and birds. As alternatives to giving out candy in all...
by Tina Schultz | Aug 30, 2024 | News, Outdoor Spaces
Go Green Wilmette is pleased to be selected by our local Orvis store to be the recipient of their September GiveBack Days. Orvis will give every customer interested in supporting Go Green Wilmette with a donation of $10 or more a 10% discount on all purchases (some...
by Tina Schultz | Jun 26, 2024 | Low Impact Living, Reduce and Reuse
Plastic Free July is a global movement to help people be part of the plastic pollution solution. Recycling, while beneficial, is not the solution – we have to reduce all plastic use, especially single-use plastic of all kinds. Here’s how: When visiting the...
by Tina Schultz | Mar 24, 2024 | Community Outreach
In 2021, the Village of Wilmette approved a Sustainability Plan for our village and part of that plan is to engage with local businesses about ways in which to make every business more sustainable. This plan dovetails perfectly with the mission of GGW. GGW is...
by Tina Schultz | Mar 6, 2024 | Dark Skies, Outdoor Spaces
IGS (Integrated Global Studies) is a project-based, student-led creative arts class that centers around current global issues. The overwhelming student interest in environmental global issues in IGS has led to the development of the Green Team at Highcrest Middle...
by Tina Schultz | Feb 3, 2024 | Compost!, Low Impact Living
In an interview with a GGW Board Member, Central Station Coffee & Tea owners had this to say: Sustainability is an important part of our business. We continue to make improvements within the café to lighten our carbon footprint which has also sparked some great...
by Tina Schultz | Aug 1, 2023 | Low Impact Living
Are you living in an apartment or condo building in Wilmette? Go Green Wilmette partners with residents and management of multi-unit buildings to discuss the ways in which your building can go green. The focus of these conversations includes topics such as electric...
by Tina Schultz | May 14, 2023 | Low Impact Living, Reduce and Reuse
New this year, Go Green Wilmette is sponsoring a Community Bag Sharing station at the French Market on Saturdays. Normally, each item you buy at the Market gets placed in a single-use plastic bag, which has significant environmental impact associated with its...
by Tina Schultz | Apr 7, 2023 | Outdoor Spaces, Trees
Mulching is one of the most important things you can do for your trees. Mulch can protect tree roots from drought, heat and cold. Mid- to late spring and fall are the best times to put down mulch. You can learn more from the Morton Arboretum or the Chicago Botanic...