Sunday’s EcoFest busts myths about ecology and offers fun

Learn tips on making the world a greener, healthier and more beautiful place and hear some common ecological misconceptions busted at EcoFest at the Morton Arboretum.

The event is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at the arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Experts from EcoMyths Alliance have partnered with the arboretum to put on the event.

“EcoFest is an opportunity for visitors to connect with and understand the world around us in a new way,” said Kate Sackman, president of EcoMyths Alliance. “By talking directly with experts and getting hands-on, visitors will walk away with new and practical ideas about how to make their own lives more eco-friendly.”

EcoFest includes an improv show, demonstrations, guided tours and booths. From 11 a.m. to noon, have fun and learn ecological facts as Improv Playhouse takes the stage, using a series of games to bust ecological myths and respond to audience questions.

Demonstrations will happen each half-hour throughout EcoFest. Topics include: “Variety is the Spice of Life: Biodiversity,” presented by the Field Museum; “Fishing for the Facts: Flushing Medications,” presented by the Alliance for the Great Lakes; “The Truth about Green Gardening,” “Stump the Scientist” and “How to Plant a Tree,” presented by arboretum staff; and “Bats,” presented by EcoMyths Alliance.

Tours also will occur each half-hour. At 11:30 a.m., 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m., join experts for a pruning walk. At noon, 1 and 2 p.m., take a walk around Meadow Lake to learn about sustainable design. And, at noon, 1 and 2 p.m., take a 30-minute tram tour focused on tree myths.

At the booths, visitors can pose their plant questions to staff from the arboretum’s Plant Clinic and Community Trees and learn about tree myths and wildlife in urban forests. Garden enthusiasts can dig into energy-efficient gardening, composting and starting vegetables from seed.

Artists can learn how to create a found object sketchbook. Plus, discover what a woodland steward is, learn bird watching basics and meet folks from Alliance for the Great Lakes and The Wetlands Initiative.

There are booths designed for kids, too. Children can turn trash into treasures by making crafts from recyclables, take part in water games and use microscopes to identify plants.

EcoFest is sponsored by EcoMyths Alliance and The Morton Arboretum, in partnership with The Field Museum, Alliance for the Great Lakes, College of DuPage and The Wetlands Initiative.

For information, contact mortonarb.org or (630) 968-0074.