Batavians Volunteer
Batavia has many organizations that support the environmental work of our community. Lend a hand and join in the effort. Below is a list of some active groups with information about how to get involved. It’s a great way to be a part of our community and help to protect our natural heritage.
Batavians for Clean Energy and Conservation (BCEC): That's us!
BCEC is a local citizen group dedicated to promoting wise usage of energy and natural resources within homes and throughout Batavia. Their goals are to increase the visibility and awareness of environmental issues in our community, inspire residents to live more sustainably, and move the city toward greener policies and practices. Contact Ann Drover at 630-879-0677 for more details.
Batavians for a Healthy River
Periodically this group will help organize volunteer teams to work on the riverbanks in Batavia. There are also several groups that do ongoing river monitoring that they can connect you to, if interested. Scout troops, church groups, and service organizations can all help with future projects. Visit their site for more info: http://bataviansforahealthyriver.org.
Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners
Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners provide educational gatherings and manages the Wildflower Sanctuary along the Riverwalk in Batavia. An environmental focus of the group is working with native plants and encouraging gardeners to use them creatively in their landscape. Their annual plant sale includes a variety of native plants. The club meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month from September through June at 6:45 pm at the Batavia Public Library. Invited speakers offer information about all types of gardening at meetings. Guests are always welcome. More information is available from Diana Sharp at 630-879-7578.
Batavia Woman’s Club
Batavia’s Woman’s Club Department of Conservation and Gardening has programs and activities relating to the environment. They support and volunteer for a wide range of activities including seed gathering at the Fermilab prairie, KC Wildlife Center, Batavia’s EnvironExpo and the historic Batavia Tree Walk. Contact Ginny Babcock at 630-879-7579 for more details.
Dick Young Forest Preserve and Nelson Lake Marsh
Each Tuesday at 1:00, the Kane County Forest Preserve hosts an outdoor workday where volunteers, under the direction of a site steward, clear invasive plant species and restore the preserve to its natural state. Children must be accompanied by adults. Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes, long pants and bring a pair of work gloves. Contact the Kane County Forest Preserve Volunteer Coordinate, Julia Bourque, for more information at 630-762-2741.
From the Kane County Forest Preserve website: “Nelson Lake Marsh is without question, one of the largest and finest natural areas in Kane County …Here resides the County's largest and most diverse collection of wetland plants containing at least five State endangered species and correspondingly, here reside other rare and endangered birds and wildlife. Small wonder it has its own organized fan club and supporters and it is one of the most visited preserves by school groups from kindergartners to university graduate school classes.” http://www.co.kane.il.us/forestpreserve/fp/dick_young.asp
Fermilab
Fermilab has numerous outdoor volunteer opportunities with their prairie and woodland restoration projects. A public seed harvest is hosted twice each fall. On the third Saturday of each month they revive natural areas by clearing away non-native brush to encourage native woodland flowers and trees to grow. Contact Fermilab’s volunteer coordinator at 630-840-3303 or visit http://www.fnal.gov/pub/about/campus/ecology/prairie/volunteer.html for more information about these and other volunteer opportunities.
Friends of the Fox River
Several opportunities exist to participate with this organization from assisting in a Fox Rescue cleanup, participating in a Watershed Monitoring Network where you’ll learn how to monitor water quality, or lending a hand at during a habitat improvement project. Visit their website at http://www.friendsofthefoxriver.org/home.htm
Les Arends Forest Preserve on Batavia Avenue (Route 31)
On the second Saturday of every month from 9 am – 12 pm, the Kane County Forest Preserve hosts an outdoor workday where volunteers, under the direction of a site steward, clear invasive plant species and restore the preserve to its natural state. Children must be accompanied by adults and volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes, long pants and bring a pair of work gloves. Contact Julia Bourque, the volunteer coordinator, at the Kane County Forest Preserve for more information 630-762-2741.
Spiritual Green Connection
This interfaith environmental team is working toward reconnecting its congregations and communities to the sacredness of the living earth. In addition to sponsoring various programs, they offer support and a variety of resources to assist in establishing an earth stewardship program in your house of worship. Contact Linda Sonner at 630-879-7965 for additional information and meeting times.