In conjunction with National Public Lands Day, the Village established Homer Glen Lands Day by proclamation in 2001. This important day was established, in part, to recognize and encourage activities by the public that enhance and protect the natural components of the environment within the Village. The Village Proclamation for this special day states:
"The Village of Homer Glen was founded and incorporated in large part due to the desires of its citizens to preserve the unique and diverse components of the natural environment within the Village and to take steps to assist in the further protection and beautification of that environment."
The Village once again celebrated Homer Glen Lands Day in September with a Tree Planting Ceremony and with the presentation of Community and Nature in Harmony Awards.
2004 Homer Glen Lands Day Tree Planting Ceremony
September 21, 2004
To commemorate Homer Glen Lands Day in 2004, a tree planting ceremony took place at Hadley School on Bell Road in September. The planting of this tree served as an example of Homer Glen?s efforts in protecting and improving the natural environment of the Village.
The planting process, which was witnessed by students at Hadley School, is referred to as tree cycling. It involves transplanting trees because they are growing in the path of development or have outgrown their space. Such trees are relocated to an area where they can continue to grow and be enjoyed by others.
The 15-year-old blue spruce tree was originally purchased as a small Christmas tree by the Kevin Garrabrant family of Homer Glen. With the donation of the tree by the Garrabrant family and the donation of planting services by Rick Gomez of Instant Shade, the Homer Glen Environment Committee was able to save the life of a healthy tree by coordinating the tree cycling process.
Plaque Presentation to Hadley School - June 8, 2005
On June 8, 2005, the Village of Homer Glen Environment Committee presented Hadley School Principal Ernst Jolas with a plaque for the dedication of the Colorado Blue Spruce tree that was planted at the school in September of 2004. The plaque will be placed on the brick wall outside the school next to the tree.
Kevin, Laura and Makayla Garrabrant and a school staff member watch as Principal Ernst Jolas accepts the brass plaque presented by Village of Homer Glen Environment Committee member Neeloo McAndrew.
2004 Community and Nature in Harmony Awards
At the September 21, 2004 Village Board meeting, eight Community and Nature in Harmony Awards were presented. The award was created to recognize individuals, businesses, community organizations and governmental agencies that have demonstrated commitment to the environment of Homer Glen and in the process significantly contributed to community pride in the village. This was the third year for the award program, which has generated much enthusiasm since its inception in 2002. The nominations were reviewed by the Environment Committee of the Village, and the following award winners were recognized:
Bob and Kathy Turner
For beautifying their property and being an inspiration to others in their neighborhood.
Ron and Tracy Nietupski
For planting trees, using a variety of methods for creating and preserving a wildlife habitat, and sharing their appreciation of nature with visitors on their property for more than 30 years.
Joe Burke, Pat Lyons, Shafer Suggs (Woodbine Sign Committee)
For initiating, volunteering, and coordinating a neighborhood project to landscape and beautify the entryway to the Woodbine subdivision.
Dan and Rich Schwartz (Danrich Collision Center)
For beautifying the Danrich Collision Center property, maintaining a pond, and providing an example of landscaping in an industrial development.
Shady Oaks Cerebral Palsy Camp
For a successful cooperative plan to preserve five wooded acres of the Shady Oaks Cerebral Palsy Camp now incorporated into the Stonebridge Woods development.
Rick Gomez (Instant Shade)
For donation of services for the tree planting at Northwest Homer Fire Department during Homer Glen Lands Day 2003.
Tom Jay (Hunt Club Woods)
For beautification of a roadside by planting native prairie plants on the perimeter of the Hunt Club property and involvement in wetland restoration.
Tom Hahn and Greg Chentnik (Stonebridge Woods Development)
For establishing a tree nursery and preserving five wooded acres of the Stonebridge Woods development through a cooperative plan with the Shady Oaks Camp.