DuPage County Stormwater Management News & Updates

DuPage County, Illinois sent this bulletin at 04/26/2024 11:53 AM CDT

April 2024                                                                                                                                      View this email in your browser
DuPage County Currents

DuPage County, SCARCE Host Sustainable Design Challenge

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A student team from Glenbard East High School present their Sustainable Design project to SWM Committee Chair Jim Zay and Committee Member Dawn DeSart.

Students from DuPage County high schools displayed their green building projects to the
public at the 18th annual Sustainable Design Challenge on April 16. Sponsored by DuPage County Stormwater Management, SCARCE coordinates the event, which
encourages students to construct building and landscape models using environmental and water-friendly design practices. Participating high schools included York Community (Elmhurst), Glenbard East (Lombard), Wheaton Academy (West Chicago), Lake Park (Roselle), Hinsdale South (Darien) and Hinsdale Central (Hinsdale).

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Main Street Flood Storage Facility Nearing Completion

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V3 construction crew work to excavate the area for installation of a concrete spillway, which will be the entry point for stormwater into the facility from St. Joseph Creek.

The County's fourth major ARPA Project, the Main Street Flood Storage Facility in Lisle, is nearing completion. The low bid contractor V3 Construction Corporation has finished all storm sewer installation and earth excavation. Next steps in the coming months include construction of a concrete spillway and pedestrian path around the detention area, followed by a final installation of native seed and plugs. The $2.2 million project is expected to provide over 2.9 million gallons of floodwater capacity to mitigate the effects of flooding along St. Joseph Creek.

Registration Open for Advanced Wetland Plant ID Course

SWM is once again hosting a three-day Wetland Plant Identification Course from June 24 to June 26. The course is intended for government agencies, restoration professionals, wetland consultants and others interested in advanced plant identification. The class will be held in the field at various forest preserves across DuPage, Cook and Lake Counties, and taught by famed Illinois botanist Chris Benda. The course costs $650. If you are interested in attending, please contact Nick Assell at nick.assell@dupagecounty.gov for more details.

Around Town

This week, SWM Director Sarah Hunn spoke about watershed restoration projects at an public workshop held by the League of Women Voters and hosted at SCARCE. The event focused on the importance of watershed health and the ways government agencies and residents can take action to keep ours clean. Other speakers included DuPage Forest Preserve Director of Natural Resources Erik Neidy, and SCARCE Founder and Executive Director Kay McKeen.

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Wheaton League of Women Voters member Catherine Franczyk introduces the speakers for "Healthy Communities - Our Water and Watersheds" hosted at SCARCE.

Upcoming Events

Warrenville Arbor Day Event

Saturday, April 27, 2024, 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

Warrenville's Arbor Day celebration offers residents an opportunity to learn about the correct way to mulch trees, how to maintain their lawn without pesticides, and composting. Vendors, including SWM, will provide educational information regarding native plants, local wildlife, proper recycling techniques, and more. This event will take place at the Warrenville Park District Recreation Center (3S260 Warren Ave.).

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2024 DuPage County River Sweep

Saturday, May 4, 2024, 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

Sponsored in part by SWM, The Conservation Foundation's 33rd annual DuPage County River Sweep is a countywide stream cleanup held each spring. Individuals, businesses and other organizations may become involved in this year's River Sweep by serving as a Community Liaison, Group Coordinator or Individual Volunteer. Interested in participating? Registration is closed, but there are still spots available and lots of work to do in Addison, along Salt Creek. Contact Amy Phillips at aphillips@theconservationfoundation.org to join this site!

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SCARCE Growin' Green Garden Market

Saturday, May 4, 2024, 9:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

Join SCARCE at their annual Growin’ Green Garden Market. Since 2014, the garden market has been the premier eco-friendly garden fair in DuPage County, featuring several environmentally conscious vendors and activities, including SWM staff discussing water quality-friendly practices and initiatives. Free to the public, it will be held outdoors at 800 South Rohlwing Road (IL Route 53) in Addison.

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"Rain Barrels, Rain Gardens and Water Issues" Presentation

Thursday, May 9, 2024, 7:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.

Water is one of our most important resources. Jim Kleinwachter from The Conservation Foundation explains why we need to think of it as a resource to be conserved rather than a waste product to be removed. We’ll provide tips and strategies for what a person can do to keep water local and clean, solve water issues on their property, as well as add a bit of color to their landscape with water-loving plants.

Register Here