'Seed bomb' launch is part of Schaumburg Earth Day party

Using a slingshot, kids had the opportunity to launch a "seed bomb" - a mud clod infused with wildflower seeds - into the prairie during an Earth Day celebration Saturday at the Nature Center and Heritage Farm in Schaumburg.

The seed bombs were made at one of a dozen stops along the Earth Stewardship Trail during the family-friendly, socially distanced event.

"It's our COVID-modified Earth Day Party," said Dave Brooks, manager of conservation services for the Schaumburg Park District.

"Activities are scattered along the trail, so they get to go on a hike, and kids get to do a variety of things," Brooks said. "They can learn about ways to take care of the Earth, as well as being more environmentally responsible at home."

Other activities included helping plant a sunflower garden, viewing a worm bin, learning about native plant restoration and invasive plant removal, and "chickens 101," where people learned about the animals at the farm.

At the end of the trail, families were given a ride from the farm back to the nature center on a wagon pulled by a tractor.