Belmont Prairie Wildflower Walk
Join naturalist Lance Herning for a wildflower walk in the Belmont Prairie Nature Preserve on Sunday morning, July 14th. Please click for details and to register for this popular outing.
Belmont Prairie Nature Preserve


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Landscaping for Wildlife

PDHAKen Lerner sponsored a free public presentation entitled Landscaping for Wildlife on March 26, 2019.  Ken Lerner, PDHA Chair, welcomed everyone and gave a brief description of our organization and its activities before he introduced our speaker.  You can click here to see Ken's slides.
Ryan Maywin, Downers Grove Park RyN MAYWINDistrict Naturalist at Lyman Woods, talked about how plants, particularly trees and shrubs support wildlife. He suggested various plantings for your yard to support a vibrant wildlife community.  You can click here to read Ryan's handouts. Ryan also described the natural history of DuPage County and the ways our local environment has changed over the last 175 years. Please click here to see slides from Ryan's talk.
Greek Proverb
Around forty five attendees enjoyed Ryan’s presentation with their dinner & drinks at Ballydoyle pub in downtown Downers Grove.

PDHA has made a donation to support the learning garden at Lyman Woods in appreciation of Ryan’s presentation.

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Historic Preservation Activities

 The Village's historic preservation program was revised in 2015, contributing to an increased interest in landmarking homes and other structures. Since then twenty-three buildings have been granted local landmark status in Downers Grove – nine structures in 2016, another nine in 2017, four more in 2018 and two in 2019.

The Village Council unanimously approved Main Street Cemeterylandmark status on April 16, 2019 for the Village owned Main Street Cemetery, 5158 Main Street, following a request by the Downers Grove Historical Society.  Please click here to learn about this source of civic pride and identity that was established in 1856.

H M Patton HouseThe Village Council unanimously approved landmark status on February 5, 2019 for the H. M. Patton House, 5 Jacqueline Drive at the request of Judith M. Erickson.  Please click here to learn about this English Country Revival home that was built circa 1927.

Please click here to read about the presentation to Friends Of The Edwards House of the 2017 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Advocacy.

Please click here for a complete listing of the 26 buildings that have been granted local landmark status in Downers Grove.

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Betty Cheever & Wally Brown Honored

Many organizations and individuals joined forces to honor Betty M. Cheever and Wallace H. (Wally) Brown with tribute benches in Lyman Woods Preserve. A celebration of Betty Cheever's and Wally Brown's community leadership took place on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the Lyman Woods Interpretative Center.  Please click here to learn more about this event and the tribute benches honoring Wally Brown and Betty Cheever.

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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.

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Heritage Quiz

Can you find this house in Downers Grove and why is it important?
 (Click the image for the answer)

 

BlodgettHouse_5-1-10

Last updated 6/19/2019
PDHA Logo
 
Village Council Meeting
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
Meeting Agenda
7:00 PM, Council Chamber
Village Hall
801 Burlington Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60515

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PDHA Meeting
Thursday, July 11, 2019
7:00 PM, Room 307
  Lincoln Center,
935 Maple Avenue,
Downers Grove, IL 60515

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Click here to read our
2019 Spring Newsletter

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 Click here to read our
2018 Winter Newsletter

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Please consider
a charitable donation
to support
educational activities of
Pierce Downer's
Heritage Alliance.

Click here to request more information about Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance.
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Click here to see
Ashley Wurth's slides
about Urban Coyotes
from our 2016 Annual Meeting.

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Click here to see Michael Lambert's slides on Historic Preservation in Geneva, IL
from our 2015 Annual Meeting.

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Click here to learn about beekeeping in Lyman Woods.

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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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 Downers Grove Township's Monthly Electronic Recycling
Is Continuing in 2019
 
AVA E-Recycling is continuing again this year its electronics recycling program in cooperation with Downers Grove Township Highway Department.

Audio or video cassettes, as well as CD’s, are no longer accepted and all TV’s need to have a prepaid coupon from AVA. Please click here to learn more about the rules for recycling TV's.
 
The next event is scheduled Saturday, May 18, from 8 AM to 12 PM at the Highway Garage, 318 Quincy Street, Westmont IL 60559. Other events will follow on the third Saturday of each month at the same time and location, unless that date falls on a holiday weekend.
 
As always the events close promptly at noon and electronics can only be dropped off on event dates. Drop offs outside of designated hours are not allowed.
 
For further information, please call Downers Grove Township Highway Department at (630) 719-6625.