Here are a few Earth Day events near you

Here are some Earth Day events scheduled in Kane and McHenry counties:

Elgin

You can celebrate Earth Day at the Hawthorne Hill Nature Center's Garlic Mustard Earth Day Festival.

Families are invited to the nature center to enjoy a day of Earth appreciation-themed activities for adults and children. Events include presentations about environmental issues, hands-on learning activities, and the chance to win or buy rain barrels and compost bins.

Participants will also have the opportunity to take part in the traditional garlic mustard pull, and learn how to use garlic mustard for spreads and dips.

Activities begin at 10 a.m. The first 100 children to arrive will receive a key that may open the Earth Day Box, which contains special prizes. All children will receive a free tree to plant and other Earth Day goodies.

The free event is sponsored by the Elgin Parks and Recreation Department and co-sponsored by Hawthorne Hill Nature Center. Visit www.cityofelgin.com for details.

Elgin Museum and Lords Park Zoo

The Elgin Public Museum and Lords Park Zoo are hosting an Earth Day event for the entire family.

Celebrate trees -- not just any trees, but our native oaks and hickory. Oaks are a valuable species in our northern hardwood forests that is quickly disappearing. They provide shelter and food for more species than imaginable. Lords Park is home to numerous majestic oaks, and the species that depend on them for survival.

Participants will learn to identify trees in the park with the help of museum staff. They will be able to observe oaks and find the approximate ages of the trees living in Lords Park. Everyone will be able to take part in an oak planting for the benefit of future generations of humans and other species as well. Finally, everyone will be able plant an acorn to take home to germinate and plant outside.

Hiking, digging and planting will be part of the experience, so dress appropriately and for the weather.

All ages are welcome. There is a $5 fee that will help pay for trees to be planted in the park. Everyone plants an acorn to take home.

Call the Elgin Public Museum for registration at (847) 741-6655. The museum and Lords Park are at 225 Grand Blvd. in Elgin.

Kane County Forest Preserve District

Earth Day Hike: From 6 to 7 p.m. on official Earth Day (Tuesday), join district naturalists for a guided hike through Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve in St. Charles. The group will explore the woods and fields, and learn about our connections to the natural world.

The event is free, and all ages are welcome.

Call (847) 741-8350 to RSVP.

Tekakwitha Woods is off Route 25, one mile north of Army Trail Road. The address is 35W076 Villa Maria Road, St. Charles.

Tree planting: Kane County Forest Preserve will plant 1,500 oak saplings from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 26 at Blackberry Maples Forest Preserve in Blackberry Township.

The community is invited to help with restoration work.

At last year's event, volunteers helped district staff plant nearly 1,500 oak saplings at Burnidge Forest Preserve in Elgin. It is hoped that the number will equal or surpass last year's count.

Blackberry Maples is on Main Street, about six miles west of Batavia and about a quarter-mile east of Route 47. Parking will be across the street from the preserve at the Blackberry Township municipality building.

There will be "Earth Day event" signs along Main Street directing volunteers to Blackberry Maples Forest Preserve.

To sign up for the tree planting event or for more information, call volunteer coordinator Julia Bourque at (630) 762-2741 or e-mail BourqueJulia@kaneforest. com.