Bug Snacks Arrive with 'Big Bugs' at Morton Arboretum

The "David Rogers' Big Bugs" exhibit kicks off on Friday, and will also bring insect snacks—real insects, as snacks—to the Arboretum's store.

When patrons at Lisle's Morton Arboretum arrive starting Friday to enjoy David Rogers' unique "Big Bugs" sculpture exhibit, they'll also be able to enjoy some little bugs—as snacks, the Suburban Life reports. According to the paper, the store is stocking very edible flavored crickets, grasshoppers, worm larvae, ands and more, in tastes from salt-and-vinegar to Mexican spice to Cheddar cheese, or dipped in chocolate or frozen in lollipops. An arboretum spokeswoman told the paper that the bug snacks have been extremely popular already, and that they can be sampled during the arboretum's "Goin' Buggy" celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Read the full story at the Suburban Life website. - - - - - - - - - -  There are plenty…

• Photos (1)

10 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day All Year Long

Here are some eco-friendly ways to celebrate Earth Day any day!

Earth Day is on Monday, April 22. Founded in 1970 in the U.S. as a day of education about environmental issues, Earth Day is now a globally celebrated holiday. More than one billion people in 192 countries will observe the 43rd anniversary of Earth Day, according to the Earth Day Network. Although Earth Day is a great reminder to be environmentally conscious, there are plenty of simple ways you can celebrate the earth all year long. Here are just 10 ways you can be eco-friendly long after Earth Day is over: 1. Plant a tree. Planting a tree is perhaps the most common Earth Day activity, but you can plant a tree any day of the year. Trees produce oxygen and help reduce air pollution. A single tree can absorb 10 pounds of air pollutants a …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (5)

katherine leibforth

9:32 am on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Act in good will and good will come of it! In your list of most excellent conscientious ideas, please add the May 18 West Suburban Chamber Electronics Recycling event at Lyons Township High School from 9 am to Noon. This great community initiative is in its 8th year and the attendance reflects a growing awareness and generosity to the cause! Thank you for your efforts, Kristina :-)   more ›

Get Up Close and Personal With Nature, Fun at Lisle's Morton Arboretum

This outdoor museum of trees and other plants from around the world offers extensive educational programming for all ages.

Looking to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life for a few hours? Why not take a trip to the Morton Arboretum and immerse yourself in an oasis of trees, hiking trails, and 900 acres of natural areas including the prototypical, restored 100-acre Schulenberg Prairie. Founded in 1922 by Morton Salt magnate Joy Morton, the Morton Arboretum, located at 4100 Illinois Route 53, in Lisle, is an internationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to the planting and conservation of trees. More than 222,000 live plants representing nearly 4,300 taxa from around the world make up its 1,700 acres. Also on the grounds are the Visitor Center and Plant Clinic, The Arboretum Store, Ginkgo Restaurant and Café, four-acre Children’s …

• Photos (1)

Morton Arboretum Hosts 35th Annual Yule Log Hunt Sunday

During the event, teams work together to solve clues and find the decorated log somewhere on the grounds.

All ages are invited to the 35th annual Yule Log Hunt, set from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, in the Visitor Center area at the Morton Arboretum. During the event, teams work together to solve clues and find the decorated log somewhere on the grounds. Once found, return for a log-sawing celebration, bonfire, caroling by the Frozen Robins singers, and wassail. For those too little for the big hunt, they can participate in the the pint-sized Yule Twig Hunt. Participants follow clues around the Children's Garden to find the Yule twig. This drop-in, self-guided activity provides holiday memories for parents and their kids. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. All should dress for hiking and cold weather. For more information, visit www.mortonarb.org.

• Photos (1)

PHOTOS: Fall Foliage, Trees Awash in Color

Take a peek at our photos from a recent trip to the Morton Arboretum, then upload your favorite fall photos.

The weather was perfect and the trees at the Morton Arboretum were awash in color. Thousands of people spent the weekend ejnoying the fall foliage during visits to the Morton Arboretum. Fall colors in the Midwest were expected to peak in Mid-October, according to Accuweather.com, but anyone who made a trip to the Morton Arboretum over the weekend knows the view was spectacular. Whether you have taken photos of the trees in your yard, on a special trip or at the nearby arboretum, share them in our gallery. Share your photos in our gallery. If you're not already registered, sign up, then upload!

• Photos (7)

Check Out Crowley Marsh Restoration Efforts at the Morton Arboretum

Saturday's free Crowley Marsh Wetland Experience will let participants get up close to the restoration efforts and learn more about them from volunteers working on-site.

Do you know about the restoration efforts at Crowley Marsh? The Morton Arboretum invites visitors to take a tram, visit the marsh and get their hands wet if they'd like at 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. or 11:15 to 12:15 a.m. Saturday. The free Crowley Marsh Wetland Experience will let participants get up close to the restoration efforts and learn more about them from volunteers working on-site. Those intersted can even participate and do some hands-on planting of native wetland plants. Space is limited, so advanced registration is encouraged. While the event is intended for adults, children over age 6 may attend. Register by clicking here. Admission fee waived with pre-registration. The tram will pick up participants at the Visitor Center welcome …

• Photos (1)

Morton Arboretum Offers Tree House Play Without the Climb

Tree House Tales, one of the Morton Arboretum's latest exhibits, gives kids a chance to enjoy tree house play without the climb.

  Has your family visited the new Tree House Tales exhibit? The Morton Arboretum invites visitors ages 2-10 to enjoy the magic of six different tree houses—except they don’t have to climb trees to play in them! Each house celebrates the story and significance of a species of tree, according to a release from the Morton Arboretum. “Tree houses are all about imagination and interaction with nature,” says Susan Wagner, Ed.M. Vice President of Education and Information said in the statement.  “Kids will love playing in these magical tree houses, learning about the trees and their stories that inspired each structure, and understanding the critical role that trees play in our environment.”   So far, the exhibit seems to be a hit. "Although [my …

• Photos (1)

Picking the Right Shrub Rose

The plans suit gardeners of all levels.

Morton Arboretum Groundsman Recounts Life on Property

Doug Monroe has lived on the Arboretum's grounds since he was 13 years old, according to a Daily Herald report.

Lisle Bank Manager Assists With Morton Arboretum Tree "Tagging"

The Morton Arboretum and several volunteers, including the manager of Lisle's BMO Harris Bank branch, was one of the volunteers to assist in hanging tags on

submitted by BMO Financial Group Recently staff and volunteers from the Morton Arboretum, along with employees of Morton Salt, Inc., BMO Harris Bank, and The Davey Tree Expert Company, helped highlight the value of trees in Chicago and several suburban communities with a different kind of tagging. The tags promote the significant return on investment that communities gain by planting trees. The tags highlighted the aesthetic and environmental value of more than 2,000 trees. Lou Cazzola, Lisle Bank Manager, BMO Harris Bank, joined Arborist Ryan Jensen to Tag trees at the Lisle Park District as part of The Morton Arboretum’s annual Arbor Day – "Every Tree Counts" campaign to show case the beauty and dollar value of the environmental benefits…

• Photos (2)