Center to host Earth Day fest

MATTOON -- Douglas-Hart Nature Center will celebrate the earth Friday by providing tips to others while also receiving some improvements of its own from young people who will remove invasive plants.

The Earth Day Celebration is from 4-6 p.m. Friday at the Douglas-Hart Nature Center at 2204 E. DeWitt Ave.

There will be several displays and demonstrations on recycling and green products also known as recycled products, said Kim Ross, director, Douglas-Hart Nature Center. The event includes demonstrations on green cleaning using natural cleaning products such as vinegar and water, she said.

Other demonstrations include composting and organic gardening.

KC Summers dealership is bringing a hybrid vehicle and will answer questions. They will raffle some oil changes, Ross said.

"If visitors bring a bag of cans out Friday, they can enter to win a prize," Ross said.

Besides the demonstrations, the artwork of middle school and high school students will be displayed.

"We are having a recycled art contest," Ross said. "Cash prizes will be given away as part of the Nature in the Arts Series sponsored by First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust." The community will choose the winners.

Children will also have the opportunity to make environmentally friendly crafts, Ross said.

Besides providing tips on how to help the earth, Douglas-Hart Nature Center is receiving some tender, loving care of its own as Riddle Elementary School fifth-graders from Ron Ghere and Nancy Brachbill's classes will remove invasive plants.

"We will plant some trees and shrubs and remove litter," Ghere said.

The field trip is funded by an ENTICE grant from the Department of Natural Resources.

"We visit the Nature Center three times a year," said Ghere. "Douglas-Hart does so much for us. The stewardship program gives us a chance to give back to them."

Throughout the year, students learn about animal and plant life. The stewardship program provides them with applied learning connected with invasive plants.

"The kids are so attentive," Ghere said. "They work so hard and it is a good experience them."

But it won't be all work for the students, Ghere said. There will be some time for fun as the students will be allowed to walk the paths and they will have a cook out, Ghere said.