Batavia Environmental Commission

10/06/2026

Recycle your used plant pots! Through October! See Kane Dupage Soil & Water Conservation District post below for details.

Did you take advantage of the beautiful weather this past weekend and did some fall planting? Good news! KDSWCD has extended our pot collection through the end of October!

Bring empty plug cells, pints, quarts, gallons, trays - they are not recyclable and we want to keep them out of the landfill. They can be from any nursery. We have several growers who can re-use them!

Drop off anytime at our front door 2315 Dean Street, Suite 100 in St Charles.

09/17/2026

🍂Leaf collection will begin soon, but we're challenging you to LEAVE the leaves this year!

🍁Reduces landfill waste
🍁Build and improves the health and structure of your soil (in ground, raised beds and flower pots)
🍁Acts as natural mulch, suppressing weeds
🍁Provides critical habitat for pollinators and foraging areas for birds and wildlife!

This is a great article explaining why leaves are so important, a few ways that you can use them and answers to common questions (will it smother my grass?!)

https://homegrownnationalpark.org/leave-the-leaves/?utm_source=Start+a+new+HABITAT&utm_campaign=b43ce7dfd3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_11_06_03_46_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-f7088a1207-1411128793&mc_cid=b43ce7dfd3&mc_eid=73ffe2e6f9

09/15/2026

This is a fantastic program that will help you learn more about local ecology, conservation, and community service! 🌳

For more information:
Forest Preserve District of Kane County

GENEVA IL— Kane County Certified Naturalists (KCCN) will welcome their 20th class in 2027, marking a milestone for the award-winning nature-education program that connects adults with Kane County’s natural areas while building knowledge and skills in conservation, environmental education and com...

09/10/2026

Take a stroll behind City Hall and check out some of the beautiful fall blooms in our native garden! 🦋🐝

09/03/2026

Sustain Kane is offering an Energy Audit and Rebate Program for those living in unincorporated areas.

For more information: https://www.kanecountyil.gov/FDER/Pages/Energy-Audits-and-Rebate-Program.aspx

09/02/2026

It's a new school year and we are searching for two high school students to join the BEC! This is a great opportunity to help make a difference at your school and the city!

Apply here: https://www.bataviail.gov/forms/application-for-city-of-batavia-council-board-commission-members

08/25/2026

Check out this event on Saturday!

Join us for an Extension Connection Community Day at the Kane County Idea Garden on Sunday, Aug. 30 from 1-3 p.m. This FREE open house event will feature demos

08/24/2026

If you live in an HOA, this is a great program to attend!

Join our Sustainable Landscaping for HOA Communities with Conservation@Work webinar on Thursday, September 17th!

08/19/2026

Some good news for protecting Dark Skies!

Governor JB Pritzker has signed the Dark Sky Act (SB 3037) into law! ⭐️

Each year, artificial light at night contributes to the deaths of hundreds of millions of migratory birds in the U.S. by disorienting them during migration. It also disrupts nocturnal wildlife, alters ecosystems, interferes with human circadian rhythms, and wastes energy and tax dollars.

To address this, the newly signed law updates the Illinois Energy Efficient Building Act by incorporating national ANSI/IES lighting standards into the stretch code for commercial buildings. These standards promote outdoor lighting that improves visibility while minimizing glare, skyglow, and light trespass.

This new law is a reminder that protecting the environment isn't always about sweeping changes. Just using light more thoughtfully — directing it where it's needed, when it's needed, and reducing its impact everywhere else — can have an impact, too.