World Environment Day Schedule

There are activities for all ages taking place throughout the Garden, from keynote lectures to ongoing demonstrations and a full lineup of special presentations. Select programs marked with a family-friendly symbol () are designed with younger children (10 years and under) in mind.

Continuous shuttle service is provided throughout the day from the Visitor Center to the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center and Lavin Plant Evaluation Garden. Shuttle service is also available to McDonald Woods and Dixon Prairie. See the Visitor Services staff at the Visitor Center and Plant Science Center for more information.

timed events

throughout the day

All visitors are invited to visit our newly remodeled Garden Café. There you will discover exciting changes as well as information on our commitment to using sustainable practices throughout the Garden. From initiatives that reduce the amount of electricity we need to programs for lowering the amount of chemicals we use and trash we generate, the Garden is using as well as demonstrating ecologically sound practices that we hope will inspire our more than 900,000 annual visitors.

The Chicago Botanic Garden celebrates World Environment Day on the first Saturday of every June because we believe the future of life on Earth depends on the degree to which humans understand, value, and protect plants and their habitats. We hope you and your family and friends will join us this year — and every year.

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Plastic Plant Container Recycling
Parking Lot 4

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

plant science center

demonstrations

"Ask the Horticulturist: Green Roof Garden"
Green Roof Garden

"How to Create a Rain Garden"
Rainwater Glen

"Herbarium Collections"
Grainger Gallery

displays

Chicago Wilderness

Northeastern Illinois Invasive Plant Partnership

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program

"meet the scientist" carts

		"Bee Smart: Learn More About Native Bees" Grainger Gallery (1 to 4 p.m. only)
		"Discoveries in the Dirt" Grainger Gallery
		"Invasive Plants in Native Communities" Grainger Gallery

The Seed Bank, Ecology Lab, and Genetics Lab in the Plant Science Center will also be holding lab demonstrations of their activities.

rose garden

demonstrations

"Best Tools and Their Care"

"Best Tree-Planting Practices"

"Tree I.D. & Selection for Homeowners"

"Eco-Friendly Lawn Care"

"Green Tips for Rose Care"

"Landscape Alternatives for Invasive Species"

"Sustainable Watering Techniques"

Plant Information Service

Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden

The Geographic Society of Chicago
Learn about geography from the inside out with the GSC's 20-foot tall, hand-painted, inflatable Earth Balloon!

fruit & vegetable garden

demonstrations & activities

		Plant Giveaway Lemon Drop Heirloom Tomato
		Family Drop-in Activity "Wiggling Worms"

"Successful Composting"

"Growing Heirloom Tomatoes"

"What's the Current Buzz with Bees?"

Cutlery Sharpening Demonstration

esplanade

displays & activities

		Family Drop-in Activity "Treemendous Trees"
		Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots
		UL Helps Keep Your Home Safe & Environment Healthy
		U.S. EPA "Protecting Your Water"

Windy City Harvest Farmers' Market Stand

"Soil Science for Gardeners"
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service

"For the Life of Your Trees"
Bartlett Tree Experts

Baxter's Sustainability Activities

"100 Years and Growing: Principles into Action"
Illinois Tool Works

Elected Officials' Environmental Initiatives

Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Lake-Cook Chapter Illinois Audubon Society

around the Garden

demonstrations

"Sustainable Gardening for a Lifetime"
Buehler Enabling Garden

Family Drop-in Activity
"Powerful Pollinators"
Native Plant Garden

Family Drop-in Activity
"'Weather' or Not"
Native Plant Garden

Rare books and current titles related to trees will be available for viewing at the Lenhardt Library.