Environment Committee Initiatives

Arbor Day

  • 2026 BIG Tree Champions Contest Deadline is May 1, 2026. Submit a Big Tree Champion Application form to Dana Kahn via email or drop off at the Village Hall 14240 W. 151st Street, Homer Glen, IL  60491.
  • Free Tree Seedlings are available annually at the end of April around Arbor Day
  • Committee directed spring tree planting in a Village Park 
  • Arbor Day Proclamation by the Board of Trustees

Earth Day

In Honor of Earth Day, the Village is hosting an Invasive Species Removal and Trash Clean Up Event on Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 10:30am until 1pm in Culver Park at 14600 S. Parker Road. We'll provide lunch & snacks, water, tools, gloves, and trash bags. Volunteers should bring comfortable clothes (long pants), closed toe shoes, water bottle, gloves (if you own them), and friends and family!! Registration details forthcoming.

Environmental Significance of our 2026 Earth Day Event: Invasive species are plants that are not native to a specific location and cause harm to habitats, decrease diversity of native species, and disrupt ecosystem functions. Invasive species can take over native habitats. Removal of invasive species is important to allow for native plants to thrive and to support healthy habitats. Additionally, litter is an ongoing, worldwide issue that can be alleviated via trash clean-up events. The Committee hopes to foster a care for the environment and our natural spaces with a hands-on activity of litter pick-up in one of our public parks!

Beekeeping Program with the Will County Beekeepers Association

Join us at a Special Meeting of the Environment Committee for an in person program about Beekeeping, Beekeeping Program Flyer!  The program will be presented by Members of the Will County Beekeepers Association! Please note, the Special Meeting for this event will be on May 6, 2024 at 6:30pm in the Board Room.  We hope to see you there!

Seedlings Event

Spring gardening event for kids, Save the Date: May 25, 2024 from 10am to 12pm. Registration Coming Soon!  More info here.

Stargazing

  • Spring and Fall Stargazing Events. Upcoming Stargazing on September 26, 2025 from 7:30pm - 10pm
  • Annual reporting with the International Dark Sky Association

Plastic Free July

Homer Glen Lands Day

Homer Glen Lands Day was originally created in 2002 to be part of the National Public Lands Day event, which is celebrated annually throughout the United States on the fourth Saturday in September. According to the National Park Service, “National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort. It celebrates the connection between people and green space in their community, inspires environmental stewardship, and encourages use of open space for education, recreation, and general health.”

To honor Homer Glen Lands Day, the Committee promotes the following activities: 

  • Community and Nature in Harmony Awards. 2025 Deadline is September 26, 2025
  • Hike and Haul Cleanup. 2025 Cleanup Day is October 4, 2025 from 10:30am - 1pm at Yangas Park
  • Committee directed fall tree planting in a Village Park
  • Homer Glen Lands Day Proclamation by the Board of Trustees

Mayors Monarch Pledge

  • Milkweed Seed Handout in conjunction with the Homer Glen Junior Women's Club and the Homer Township Library
  • Mayors Monarch Pledge Proclamation

Community Solar

  • Resolution passed by the Board of Trustees in support of the Community Solar program endorsed by the Mayors Caucus
  • Marketing efforts and support of the Community Solar program endorsed by the Mayors Caucus