This week, we want to recognize St. Mark's Episcopal Church!

There's always a time during any social gathering I attend where my friends gather round, and I share a story about...plastic. (and yet, they keep inviting me back! :) This weekend, I celebrated a "Friendsgiving," and we talked about black plastic in the kitchen. 

On Tuesday, 63% of voters chose YES to support our DuPage County Forest Preserve District and improve our quality of life!  This overwhelming support will improve our air and water, restore and protect more wildlife habitat, create more passive recreational amenities, improve public access, and preserve thousands of acres of natural lands.  Thank you voters!

From our early days - our mascot Oscar, the reformed recycler! Photo by Karin.

Do you enjoy our newsletters?  Want to help us write them?!

It's hard for me to believe that Go Green Glen Ellyn celebrated our 3rd birthday in October!  We've taken some time to reflect and compile all we did as an organization over the last year and are sharing this green goodness in this week's newsletter. 

Happy Halloween Week from Go Green! Embrace the dark evenings and don't forget to turn your clocks back on Sunday morning! 

November arrives today and with it darker evenings (clocks fall back this weekend!), lots of leaves, and a couple of elections!  Go Green has a checklist for you for this first November weekend so you can kickstart your month!

We need 4-8 volunteers to help us collect items and direct traffic, as well as help the Park District monitor the pumpkin smashing. Volunteers are needed from 8:45-11a on Saturday, Nov 2.

Did you know we have another election on November 2? This one is for the Civic Betterment Committee (CBC) Candidates.  These candidates, if elected, would serve in Village offices beginning in 2025.  As with any election, your vote is your voice!  We encourage you to learn more about this election, the voting process, and of course, the candidates views on being green!  Read on for more info!

Did you catch the comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas this week? It has been visible to the naked eye (more helpful with binoculars!) just above the west/southwestern horizon after sunset. If you missed the comet, you have until the end of the month. Then it won't be back this way for 80,000 years. Thanks to reader Ben H. for this comet capture photo!

We are putting a wrap on our OAKtober events!  On Wednesday night, Go Green Glen Ellyn members gathered with others in the community to attend the "Trees on Tap" event at Two Hound Red, sponsored by the Village Environmental Commission.  A full house of enthusiastic tree lovers engaged with an expert panel to learn about the trees in Glen Ellyn, all the benefits they provide, and how to protect them.  It was a wonderful way to wrap up the last 3 weeks of events!  We hope you were able to attend our signature OAKtoberfest event!

We spotted someone doing something green! First Congregational Church usually lights their beautiful bell tower late into the night. But for the migration season, they are turning off the up-lights at 10pm. It's for the birds!

Pic by Karin

Fall is my absolute favorite season, and I don’t even like pumpkin spice! But I do love the crisp fall air, the leaves changing color, the stars being out earlier AND witnessing the presence of migrating visitors from far off lands (yes, birds!). 

What can be a better than a crisp, sunny, fall day spent with friends and family enjoying Maryknoll Park and celebrating our wonderful OAKS! That's right, OAKtoberfest is back this year with things to do for all ages! Read on to see our schedule of events and see all the great sustainable-minded organizations taking part in OAKtoberfest 2024!

Because most disposable hosting items like plastic plates, silverware, cups, and tablecloths CANNOT be recycled, the waste from these events can pile up quickly.  While we have shared some tips earlier this summer, we wanted to share a local option we have used ourselves to help you host greener!  Read on to learn about SCARCE's Green Your Gig program!

Early voting is underway and you can still apply for a vote by mail ballot. Go Green GE is non-partisan, but we want to help get out the vote and encourage everyone to vote for those who share your green values!  Your Vote is Your Voice!

Saturday, October 12 at 10:30 am at Glen Art Theater

Learn how to speak for the trees!

OAKtober Storytime in the Park with Glen Ellyn Public Library at Lake Foxcroft Park Tuesday, OAKtober 1 at 10:30 am

Ahhh-- the fall air is crisp, and October is just around the corner and that means .... OAKtober!  We have been busy working with our community partners to help create a week's plus worth of fun and educational activities for all ages!  We have an OAKtober Storytime for our littlest greenies, a free screening of the classic The Lorax for kids of all ages, and a Trees on Tap discussion with local tree experts at Two Hound Red for the whole family. The Glen Ellyn Park District is hosting tree planting how-to, nature walks and bird watching!  And of course, the signature OAKtober event - OAKtoberfest on Oct 5th! Get out your calendars and make plans to celebrate fall and our magnificent oaks!