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...
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 spot...
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...
Not only are mosquitoes an annoyance in summer, they carry potentially dangerous diseases such as West Nile virus. But the safest and most sustainable way to protect your family from mosquito bites does not mean treating your yard once a month with a pesticide. Not...
The most important thing you can do is to "leave the leaves" in the yard and leave the seed heads in your gardens. Birds that do not migrate need food and shelter all winter. This great Audubon article tells you the many ways you can support birds all winter long. Ask...
If you have already added native plants in your own yard, and you live on an alley, you may be able to find a place to add more native plants like one of our Sustainable Yard Tour hosts has done. Or, perhaps you can help a friend, parent or adult child add native...
While we spend a lot of time and effort convincing homeowners to include native habitat in their yards, we also help the Park District create and maintain habitat in our parks. In 2016, the Park District partnered with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to create...
It’s easiest to identify backyard birds in the spring, when their breeding colors are on full display. Try a bird walk offered in Wilmette or another local community. Go Green Wilmette offers guided bird walks in Gillson Park every Sunday in May at 8 a.m. The bird...
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 fragrance...
P.O. Box 954
Wilmette, IL 60091
info@gogreenwilmette.org