Cook County celebrates Earth Day

Cook County activities in recognition of Earth Day include a workday at Deer Grove West Forest Preserve in Palatine on Saturday, April 26.

Cook County Chief Sustainability Officer Deborah Stone will speak on highlights of the county's sustainability work. Volunteers will remove brush to restore habitat in the oak woods.

Sponsors include Friends of Deer Grove, Forest Preserves of Cook County, Openlands, Sierra Club Northwest Cook County Group and Friends of the Forest Preserves.

Meet at Deer Grove West Forest Preserve Grove #5 beginning at 9 a.m. The event ends at 2 p.m. The entrance is on the west side of Quentin Road, north of Dundee Road, in Palatine.

Volunteers also will be working that day in Busse Woods South in Elk Grove Village, removing invasive plant species, cleaning up litter, and cutting and piling brush. All tools and training are provided. Volunteers should dress for the weather.

Meanwhile, at Northbrook's Earth/Arbor Day event 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Village Green, the county's Environmental Control office will have a radon awareness display and offer information on home testing. Radon testing kits will be on sale at a discount. For more information on radon, call (708) 865-6177.