Village of La Grange Park Sustainability Commission

09/04/2026

Looking to bring more local beauty and pollinators to your garden this fall? We’re excited to support our friends at Go Green Greater La Grange for their 3rd Annual Native Plant Sale!

Fall is actually one of the best times for native plants—it allows them to focus on strong root growth so they can thrive and bloom big come spring!

🗓 When: Saturday, September 19, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

📍 Where: Memorial Park, La Grange Park

💵 Prices: $5 – $10 per plant (Arrive early—some plants may sell out!)

Come out, grab some affordable native plants, and help keep our community green!

08/28/2026

Want to make your yard a paradise for local bees, butterflies, and other essential wildlife? Join our friends at Go Green Greater La Grange for Gardening for Pollinators a helpful conversation for home gardeners who want their outdoor spaces to work harder for native pollinators!

Event Details:
📅 Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: La Grange Park Public Library (555 N. La Grange Rd., La Grange Park)

Special Guest Speaker:
🌿 Sara Earhart, Superintendent of Parks for the Community Park District of La Grange Park & ISA Certified Arborist - Municipal Specialist.

Whether you're starting fresh or looking to enhance your existing garden, this event will give you the tools and inspiration you need. See you there!

08/21/2026

Rainy August = Thriving Pollinator Gardens! How to Help Monarchs in La Grange Park 🌸

All this recent rain has our yards looking lush, but it’s also high season for one of nature’s greatest phenomena: the annual Monarch Butterfly migration. Millions of Monarchs will begin their 2,500-mile journey south through Illinois, and our neighborhood backyards are vital "pit stops."

Here are 3 quick ways to turn your rain-watered yard into a pollinator refuge this month:

Leave Late Blooms Alone: Late-summer bloomers like Goldenrod, New England Aster, and Joe-Pye W**d provide crucial high-energy nectar for migrating butterflies. Resist cutting them back early!

Skip the Pesticides: Heavy rains combined with warm weather bring out garden bugs, but chemical sprays kill Monarch caterpillars along with pests. Spot-treat weeds by hand instead.

Create a "Puddling" Spot: Monarchs can't drink directly from open water, but they love damp soil or wet sand left behind after summer storms to sip vital minerals.

💡 Local Tip: Have milkweed in your garden? Keep an eye out for Monarch caterpillars feeding on the leaves this week!

Photo Source: Illinois News Bureau - University of Illinois

08/16/2026

Did you know you can help support our local pollinators right from your own yard? We're excited to highlight the La Grange Park Public Library's Seed Library, a fantastic resource designed to help our community thrive—naturally!

Whether you have a sprawling garden or a single sunny balcony pot, you can pick up free native plant seeds to grow at home. Best of all? No Library card is required!

Check out the details below.

Help support local pollinators with our new Seed Library! Our Seed Library offers free native plant seeds for patrons to grow at home, no Library card required!

Take up to 5 seed packets per household, per visit (number of seeds included in each packet varies by plant type). Seeds are available on the second floor while supplies last. Learn more on the Community Services page of our website. https://lagrangelibrary.org/community-services/

08/14/2026

That’s a wrap on another incredible Native Garden Tour!

With more than 20 gorgeous native gardens showcased across La Grange Park, La Grange, and Brookfield—and dozens upon dozens of enthusiastic plant lovers turning out—we are calling this year an absolute triumph! A huge thank you to everyone who came out to explore, learn, and celebrate our local ecosystems - especially Rose Naseef and our partners at the La Grange Environmental Quality Commission.

Keep your eyes on this page! We have more native gardening activities, plant sales, and pop-ups coming your way over the next few weeks—plus a month-long Native Plant Celebration in the works for 2027!

Did you make it out to the tour? We’d love to know your favorite garden moment or top takeaway in the comments!

Missed out this year? No worries at all—drop your native plant and gardening questions below and our community of experienced gardeners will help you get started.

08/07/2026

🌱 Join the La Grange Park Sustainability Commission at the Sustainable Summer Expo Tomorrow!

Come visit us at Plymouth Place tomorrow, August 8th, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM for the Go Green Greater La Grange Sustainable Summer Expo!

Stop by our table to chat with us about local sustainability efforts, ask questions, and learn simple steps to make our community greener.

You'll also get to connect with eco-experts and organizations like The Morton Arboretum, Forest Preserves of Cook County, Shedd Aquarium, and many more!

Leave inspired with plenty of eco-friendly tips, resources, and sustainable choices for your home and neighborhood.

🗓 When: Tomorrow, August 8th | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

📍 Where: Plymouth Place

We can't wait to see you there!

07/31/2026

Ready to lower your ComEd bill and go green? LaGrange Park residents have some amazing community solar opportunities right now—and many won’t cost you a dime upfront!

Whether you own your home, rent, or live in a multi-family building, here are 4 great ways to tap into solar energy:

1. Install Your Own Panels: Property owners can take advantage of state rebates to slash installation costs by about 30%!

2. Join Community Solar: No roof? No problem! Support an off-site solar farm with zero upfront costs or sign-up fees, open to all residents (including renters).

3. Lease Panels: A solar company installs and maintains panels on your roof at no cost to you, giving you immediate savings on your electric bill.

4. Illinois Solar for All: Income-qualified residents can access deeply discounted solar options for maximum savings.

Ready to find the right fit for your home?

🔍 Browse trusted providers and check out the Citizen Utility Board (CUB) solar guide here: https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/solar-in-the-community-3/

🛠️ Find a certified installer through the Illinois Solar Energy and Storage Association: https://www.illinoissolar.org/FindAProfessional

Let’s power LaGrange Park with clean energy! 🌍✨

07/25/2026

TOMORROW from 1-4 pm is our annual Native Plant Tour!

Will we see you there?

This Sunday, July 26th (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM), grab your bike, take a walk, or go for a drive to explore over 20 stunning, eco-friendly native plant gardens across La Grange Park, La Grange, and Brookfield!

Whether you're a seasoned gardener, looking to attract more butterflies to your yard, or just looking for a fun weekend activity, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

👇 Download the Tour Participant Guide & map here:
https://www.lagrangeil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3719/2026-NativePlant-Tour-ParticipantGuide

Who’s coming with you? Tag your favorite garden buddy below! 👇👇

07/24/2026

This Sunday, July 26th (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM), grab your bike, take a walk, or go for a drive to explore over 20 stunning, eco-friendly native plant gardens across La Grange Park, La Grange, and Brookfield!

Whether you're a seasoned gardener, looking to attract more butterflies to your yard, or just looking for a fun weekend activity, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

👇 Download the Tour Participant Guide & map here:
https://www.lagrangeil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3719/2026-NativePlant-Tour-ParticipantGuide

Who’s coming with you? Tag your favorite garden buddy below! 👇👇

07/21/2026

Great news! All the details for the Native Garden Tour can be found at this URL - www.lagrangeil.gov/NativePlantTour including addresses, garden descriptions and a handy map. See you there!

Don't Forget - July 26th is Our Annual Native Garden Tour!

Why native plants? Glad you asked:

They are low-maintenance, high reward: Because they evolved to thrive right here in Illinois, native plants don’t need fertilizers, pesticides, or constant watering once established.

They have deep roots, which means less flooding: Unlike typical lawn grass, whose roots are only a few inches deep, native plants have massive root systems (sometimes down to 15 feet!). They act like natural sponges, soaking up rainwater and reducing local flooding.

They provide essential food and shelter for local pollinators, butterflies, and birds that standard exotic garden plants just can't offer.

You can even save money on the water bill! Once their roots take hold, they survive our hot midsummer dry spells beautifully without needing the sprinkler to run every morning.

Ready to see these benefits in action and gather some inspiration for your own yard?

The LaGrange Park Sustainability Commission, in proud partnership with the La Grange Environmental Quality Commission, invites you to our annual Native Plant Tour!

When: Sunday, July 26th
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Where: Over 20 beautiful gardens spread across LaGrange Park, La Grange, and Brookfield!

This is a fantastic, free opportunity to walk through local yards, chat with neighbors who have successfully transitioned to native landscaping, and get real-world ideas for your own property. Whether you have a tiny sunny patch or a massive shady backyard, you'll see a garden that matches your space.

Watch this space for all the details and a handy map!