Wilderness & Wildflower Walks
Saturday, May 3rd

Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance is celebrating Spring 2014 with guided Wilderness & Wildflower Walks in Lyman Woods on Saturday, May 3rd.  Volunteer Naturalist Lance Herning will lead two groups of hikers, one departing at 10 AM and the other, at 12 Noon.  Each group will be limited to about 15 participants and should expect to spend about 90 minutes exploring the woods and fields of this high quality nature preserve.   After the walk we will provide refreshments and opportunities for conversation.
  
Register now to take part in this special exploration of Lyman Woods.  Reserve your departure time and make a $25 donation to support educational activities of Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance. Space is limited.


Beekeeping at Lyman Woods

Early in spring 2013 the Downers Grove Park District installed four new hives for honeybees in Lyman Woods. Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance contributed partial funding for this project. The Bee Yard Project included a purchase of protective suits and masks so that Lyman Woods interpretive program participants can help with the honey harvest.

The bees at the new Lyman Woods apiary have been hard at work this summer, as have the Lyman Woods staff with junior beekeeping camps and bee activities for all ages.

 Marge Trocki with Bees Junior Beekeeping Camper Honey Harvest

Honey was harvested from the hives in July and again in September.  After the bees were pacified with smoke, the hives were opened and honeycomb-filled frames were removed.  The wax caps were cut from the combs and the honey extracted, filtered, and bottled, yielding a nice light-gold honey that was in great demand and has been sold out for this year.  A short video of the process of filling the jars may be found at Honey Harvest.

Lyman Woods staffer and beekeeper Marge Trocki lent her expertise.  The Cook-DuPage Beekeepers Association generously provided funding for four scholarships to the beekeeping camp. 


Heritage Alliance Mission
Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance is dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural heritage of Downers Grove. In the past, we have maintained sharp focus on the natural heritage within our community. Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance has been instrumental in the preservation and protection of Lyman Woods, and Belmont Prairie, which continue as on-going projects.

We are now also committed to the preservation of  cultural aspects of Downers Grove, including its rich architectural heritage. We work to accomplish our mission through education as well as community outreach.
Can you find this house in Downers Grove and why is it important?
 (Click the image for the answer)

 

BlodgettHouse_5-1-10
 PDHA Logo




  Arbor Day 2014 Celebration
Friday, April 25, 2014
 12:30 to 1:00 PM
Tree Planting in Randall Park

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  Wilderness & Wildflower Walks
Saturday, May 3, 2014
 10 AM & 12 Noon
Please click here to signup:
 Register for Walk

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 PDHA Special Meeting
Thursday, May 15, 2014
 7:00 PM, Room 307
Lincoln Center
935 Maple Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60515

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Highway Cleanup
  Next Highland Ave.
 Adopt-A-Highway
CLEAN-UP DAY
Saturday, June 14, 2014
8:30 to 11:00 AM
Please click here to fill out
the required Waiver Form.
Meet at 33rd Street
 Lyman Woods Parking Lot.




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The 1846 Blodgett House

An opportunity exists to restore the 1846 Blodgett House,  one of the Village's oldest houses reflecting our rich cultural heritage. PDHA supports such efforts to preserve valuable historic resources for future generations.
Click here to learn about the 1846 Blodgett House project.

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Click here to learn more about other local historic preservation activities in Downers Grove.

 
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Aggregation of Electrical Suppy
The Village of Downers Grove and the Village of Westmont have awarded a contract to First Energy to provide electric supply services through the villages' Municipal Electrical Aggregation Program.

The Village Now Has
Electronics Recycling
 
The Village of Downers Grove and Creative Recycling are offering electronics recycling on the first Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Drop-off location is in the employee parking lot at rear of Village Hall, 801 Burlington Avenue, off Curtiss Street. There volunteers accept pretty much anything you would think of as "electronics" such as computers (along with monitors, printers, etc.), VCRs, stereos, gaming consoles, televisions, and other gadgets. A longer list of acceptable and unacceptable items may be found on the Village's recycling page.
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Last updated 4/9/2014