Visit Lords Park to learn about the Oak King

On Saturday, April 24, celebrate Earth Day at the Elgin Public Museum by embracing all the oaks of Lords Park: white oaks, red oaks and bur oaks.

The Celts believed that the oak was the King of Spring and with their towering heights, ancient age, and spring foliage it's easy to see why. Elgin's Lords Park is a beautiful example of an oak savanna, with some oaks older than 150 years. But did you know that oaks are threatened? That they form a unique ecosystem that supports life? Learn more about these trees and plant trees so future generations can enjoy them, too.

"The Oak King" will run from noon to 2 p.m. starting at the museum, 225 Grand Blvd. Wear clothes that can get dirty, as well as long pants and closed-toed shoes as we will be digging.

The museum will provide some shovels, but feel free to bring your own as well. Cost is $5 per person and $4 per member. Registration is required. To register or for details, call (847) 741-6655 or e-mail epm cityofelgin.org. Visit elginpublicmuseum.org.

Lecture series continues: The Elgin Public Museum is partnering with the Elgin Climate Change Organization for "Earth's Changing Climate," a lecture and discussion series, continuing every other Wednesday for six sessions.

Starting at 7 p.m., the programs will include lectures from the Great Learning Series, with ECCO moderating a coffee and discussion afterward. Feel free to attend one discussion or join them for all. Registration is not required, but if you call the museum at (847) 741-6655 or e-mail epm@cityofelgin.org, so they are sure to have enough chairs.

This series is free to the public; donations always welcome.

The program schedule will be: "Ice Ages and Beyond" and "In the Greenhouse" on April 21; "A Tale of Three Planets" and "Global Recycling" on May 5; "The Human Factor" and "Computing the Future" on May 19; "Impacts of Climate Change" and "Energy and Climate" on June 2; and "Energy - Resources and Alternatives" and "Sustainable Futures?" on June 16.