The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says it is proposing protection for the monarch butterfly and urging the public to be part of the insect's recovery. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams said in a news release the proposed listing under the Endangered Species Act "invites and builds on unprece...

The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County has announced winter hours for the compost sites in Porter County. Beginning December 16, 2024, the Portage and Boone Grove Compost Sites will be closed for the season, making December 14 the final day for drop off. The Valparaiso Compost Site is open year-rou...

In northern Indiana, Shirley Heinze Land Trust announced 19 recipients across Lake, Porter, La Porte, Marshall, and St. Joseph counties in its Bringing Nature Home program for 2024. Each year the nonprofit recognizes individuals, businesses, and organizations' efforts to create native plant gardens. Applications will b...

The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, is encouraging people to save and repurpose falling leaves to nourish their gardens this autumn. According to the Arboretum's Plant Clinic advisers, leaves make great insulation, compost and enrichment for garden soil. "Decomposing leaves enrich the soil by releasing nutrie...

The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County says it will be celebrating America Recycles Day on Friday, November 15, 2024 at the following Strack & Van Til locations in Porter County: • Valparaiso Strack & Van Til on Calumet Avenue • Chesterton Strack & Van Til on Pioneer Trail &bu...

The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County will host their final Household Hazardous Waste and tire collection of the season on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at the Porter County Expo Center on East Division Road, Valparaiso, IN from 9am to 2pm CST. Participants are asked to enter at Gate 3. Common househ...

In Porter County, a Lake Michigan shoreside community has been recognized again for its efforts to look out for area birds. Indiana Audubon say it has recertified Beverly Shores as a Bird Town Indiana partner, noting the town's "dedication to creating a bird-friendly environment." Since first being named a Bi...

In Lake County, art activities and guided hikes will be part of a free "Wetlands and Watercolors" Nature in the Arts event, 10 am to 1 pm Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Ivanhoe South Nature Preserve on Colfax Street in Gary. Shirley Heinze Land Trust says participants will learn why wetlands are crucial for...

In Valparaiso, educators and others will gather to discuss strategies for reducing plastic waste in schools. The meeting hosted by the Plastic Reduction Alliance of Northwest Indiana is August 28, 2024, 6:30pm at Valparaiso University's Harre Union. The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County says it wi...

Here are some tips provided by The Morton Arboretum's Plant Clinic to help trees and garden plants survive waves of heat in the 90s and above. 1. Make sure plants have enough water. Water is necessary for all of a plant's life processes. The only way plants can cool themselves is by allowing water to evaporate through ...