Lake Forest Open Lands holds Celebrate Earth at Mellody Farm Nature Preserve
Saturday morning, Celebrate Earth at Mellody Farm Nature Preserve in Lake Forest offered families an opportunity to slow down and recharge with guided nature hikes, hands-on activities on restoring native habitats, a birding station, nature journaling and readings by environmentally-themed children's book author, Ruth Spiro and much more.
Ryan London, president and C.E.O. Lake Forest Open Lands says there is great health benefit to a moment of mindfulness and connection to the natural world — when we take care of nature it takes care of us.
'Conservation has its ancestral roots in the Midwest, and now more than ever, small community organizations like ours are working to involve a broader cross-section of communities in community conservation,' London Said.
At Lake Forest Open Lands they are dedicated to expanding programs for youth and adults in Lake County, broadening and deepening access and connection to land and coastal conservation programming, London says.
After receiving a recent Illinois Coastal Management grant in Winter 2024, these funds, according to London, are supporting new programs and collaborations focused on stewardship and education that highlight awareness about hyperlocal coastal resources along the Great Lakes.
New community partners like Drip and Culture, a socially minded coffee company in Waukegan, have joined Cristo Rey, Boys and Girls Club of Lake County, Lovell Federal VA, Waukegan High School, and other LFOLA partners across North Chicago and Waukegan.
London says, these community partners are taking part in guided hikes and other activities that provide access to natural resources, aimed at reaching out to the broader community to make preserving land relevant and essential to all citizens.
'Through our partnership with Lake Forest Open Lands, we are inviting people to the land, to an outside that is inclusive, that belongs to everyone – a place where it is possible to spark intellectual curiosity, caring and stewardship,' Adam Carson, founder and owner of Drip and Culture, said.
Lake Forest Open Lands, director of engagement, Julia Lunn, says their Center for Conservation Leadership, is focused on providing innovative environmental opportunities for high school students, like the Edo-Ambassador program this summer at Illinois Beach State Park.
'Starting in June, our Eco-Ambassadors will be shadowing the Prairie Research Institute scientists, creating educational resources, gathering wisdom from community leaders, and growing deeper connections with the natural world,' Lunn said.
According to London, since 2016, Illinois Coastal Management Program (ICMP) grants have supported a series of impactful area initiatives aimed at enhancing environmental stewardship, education, and public access along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Lake County. These projects have combined hands-on conservation, educational curriculum development, cultural engagement, and community-focused recreational access to deepen public understanding and care for the coastal zone.
London says, conservation is not just about preserving landscapes, but about strengthening communities and the natural resources that they rely on.
'Our beyond-the-trail initiatives help to provide healthy land and clean water, which are fundamental to public health,' London said.
David Forestieri of Lake Bluff attended Saturday's Celebrate Earth event with family.
'It's such a luxury to have these protected open spaces to connect with, and to experience the passion and education that can only come from experiencing it first-hand,' Forestieri said.
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Aries Your ruler, go-getter Mars, is now in your partnership sector, which is bound to motivate you to move the ball forward on ambitions you share with a dear friend, loved one or significant other. At the same time, given its fiery nature, your ruling planet will amplify the potential for conflict. You could find debating and butting heads fun or stimulating, but with Mars opposing taskmaster Saturn in your sign, you'll do well to commit to working through ongoing conflicts that are taking a toll on your one-on-one bonds. Doing so can help you lay a healthy, fulfilling new groundwork for these relationships. Click through for more on Aries. Taurus Late summer is bound to be super-productive for you, Taurus, because Mars is in your wellness and daily routine sector, firing you up to finally work on tackling any to-dos that have been piling up. You're eager to get organized and make moves that will step up your overall sense of well-being and vitality. 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Leo Prepare for your social life to be even busier and more mentally stimulating than usual, because Mars is in your communication zone now, leading to more invitations to hang with friends and colleagues, more learning opportunities and possibly more short-distance travel. You could actually be torn in more directions than you'd ideally like, so if you feel yourself beginning to get burned out, setting and holding boundaries is a must. But in general, this transit will feel lively, fun and gratifying, especially because Mars forms positive sextiles to both Mercury and Venus in your sign and self-image zone around August 14-18 and September 15 respectively. Share your thoughts, dreams and big picture ideas with friends and colleagues, which will bolster your confidence and sense of self. Click through for more on Leo. Virgo With Mars leaving your sign for your money zone, you'll have more energy at your disposal to put your nose to the grindstone on income-bolstering endeavors. 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