Saturday, June 4, 2016, rain or shine
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Conservation is a big term that covers a lot of ground. That's why we set aside a full day for kids and adults to explore conservation and sustainability on World Environment Day. Learn about topics large and small—from the global reach of our plant conservation scientists, to the environmental legacy of Jens Jensen, to sustainable gardening.
View a full schedule of the day's events
The Day's Key Events
Family Fun
An entertainment stage on the Esplanade will feature family-friendly performances. Family drop-in activities are ongoing at the Esplanade, the Native Plant Garden, and the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden. Don't miss our free film screenings in Alsdorf Auditorium.
Learn from the Experts
Find inspiration and answers at the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden and Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center. Horticulturists, scientists, Windy City Harvest staff members, and outside experts will be covering a range topics including pollinators, plant exploration, organic gardening, ecofriendly lawn care, and more. Special bonus: hear Tom Skilling, WGN-TV's chief meteorologist, give a climate and weather update at 1:30 p.m in the Plant Science Center.
Shop and Eat
Shop for fresh, organically grown produce harvested from the Garden and our farm's urban garden sites at own Windy City Harvest's Farmers' Market Stand. Don't miss Chef Cleetus Friedman of Caffè Baci cooking with seasonal and locally grown produce at the Garden Chef Series, at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. at the Fruit & Vegetable Garden's open-air amphitheater.
Free Film Screenings
See Jens Jensen The Living Green spotlighting the unsung life and legacy of Jens Jensen—early conservationist, pioneering landscape architect, and one of America’s most influential urban designers at 10 a.m. Preregistration required. Also showing, Shifting Sands on the Path to Sustainability, a documentary film about the Indiana Dunes region.
Plan your visit, and buy your parking in advance for faster entry.
World Environment Day is generously supported by
