Happy Earth Week

Hello and Happy Earth Week!!

As you know, this Monday, April 22nd, was Earth Day! But the things we talk about on Earth Day are so important that we just end up calling the whole week Earth Week! That way we can focus on all the important ideas about respecting the earth even longer. Actually, I treat ever day like Earth Day. And you should, too! But who doesn't enjoy getting dressed up and celebrating for a special occasion. I always wear something a little special on April 22nd. This year I helped make a special Earth Day pin to wear. Here is a picture of it! We made it out of a recycled cereal box and a stamp! It was really easy to just stick a pin backing on it. And wah lah! Our very special earth day decoration. There are all sorts of jewelry and decorations you can wear on Earth Day or Earth Week or everyday! I have seen entire bags made out of Starburst wrappers. Or bracelets made out of recycled magazines. If you do make anything be sure to send me a picture! I would love to see how creative you are.

I spent Earth Day with my friends cleaning up Eldridge park. We collected almost a full garbage bag! We walked around the trails and picked up the garbage from the ground. As a raccoon, I hate having to step over human trash as I make my way in and out of my burrow. Yuck!

Did you know that April 22nd wasn't always Earth Day? Almost 40 years ago, in 1970, some people got together and decided that not enough humans were paying attention to how they took care of the earth. They decided that there should be a special day where everyone will take action and help make the earth a healthier place to live.

Earth Day started in America. It wasn't until 1990 that people all around the world started participating in Earth Day events. Recycling was the big focus for Earth Day around the world. Now, over 140 countries participate in Earth Day events! That's great!

Earth Day 2007 was the largest Earth Day to date with activities happening in thousands of places all over the world!

I love celebrating Earth Day. But don't forget that everyday is Earth Day! You can start taking care of the earth now by just doing little things everyday. Like recycling and trying not to waste anything! Or walking or riding your bike instead of driving in a car when you can. Carpooling is also a great way to reduce how many cars are on the road. And when your done with your games or toys, don't throw them away! Donate anything that is still good so other people can use them.

I would love to hear how you celebrate Earth Day everyday! I love our earth and I love our environment. I am going to do what I can as a raccoon to take care of it!

Until next time my friends,
Eco

Meet a wren!

Hey there friends!
I thought I would fill you in on some recent additions to Eldridge Park. You might have noticed some small wooden boxes that have been put up on some of our trees. These are wren boxes. It's wren season! Wrens are teensy little birds that come back to our area in the spring. They migrate to the southern United States in the winter. When they come back they are ready to get building! They make their nests in our boxes, they use anything they can get their hands on. They can fill up the whole box with bedding material!

The males don't just make one nest, either! No no no! They make several nests. Then the females come around and select their favorite one. The poor little guys, they work so hard. And guess what....when the female picks her favorite, she can pull out all the bedding and destroy the nest the male built and remake to her specifications. Picky picky!

They are pretty neat little birds. They have a really nice song, too. I would say as far as birds go, they are one of the most enthusiastic. They are always hopping around eating bugs and keeping a close watch on what us raccoons and humans are doing. And you'll notice there are no perches or front porches to their house. They don't need one. They easily perch right in the opening and hop in. Skill for sure.

Here's a picture of me next to one of our wren boxes! Me and my friends in Nature Rangers actually made our own. They are pretty easy to make!

Keep watch for our wren friends next time your in Eldridge Park!

Till next time my friends!

Eco

I like a lek!

Greetings everyone!
This week I have been so busy playing outside everyday! I hope you have been, too.

When I was outside this week with my friends I noticed a bunch of insects swirling and swarming in the air in the shape of a big ball. They looked really busy!

 I wanted to know what these little guys were doing! I asked one of the people that work at Eldridge and they told me all about it!  Turns out, this swarm is actually how the girl insects choose the boy insects. It has a funny name, it's called a "lek". (Said like "leck") That means all the boy insects get together and do crazy tricks and show off right by all the other boys. The girl insects hang out on the edge and take notes for who they think would be the best partner.

Gnats, midges, mosquitoes, and alot of other insects in the order Diptera do this mating ritual. (Diptera is latin for two wings! I bet you can guess what other insects fall into that order!) Insects aren't the only ones that do it, either! Peacocks, birds of paradise and lots of other bird species! Don't forget the fish!

There is one species of fish where the males build sandcastles! The Copadichromis eucinostomus. (what a mouthful!) The lek member with the tallest mound of sand – almost a meter wide at the base – wins the females. These sandcastles take this four inch long animal two weeks to build. Unfortunately they live around Tanzania so I won't be able to watch them any time soon. Sounds awesome, though.

Watch for those leks!

Eco

Greetings everyone!

I don't know about you but I have really enjoyed being outside these past couple days. Even though I have a thick coat to keep me warm, I enjoy the warmer months the most. All my animal friends are coming out from their winter dens and burrows! I was looking around for the first signs of spring today.

Spring is a very important and busy time for me and my animal friends! The insects wake up and thaw out from sleeping in the ground all winter. That means loads of yummy insects for all the baby birds! My chipmunk friends are one of the first to come out. They come out in search for a mate as early as February. Not all animals mate in the spring, though. Deer and coyotes mate in the fall so their babies are born during spring.

The plants are busy, too! In the forest the wildflowers push their little shoots above ground in spring. This is before the leaves on trees start growing so the little wildflowers take advantage of all the sun! Here is a picture of me looking for the first sprout to come up.

Now that its spring I'm keeping track of the leaves starting to bud on the trees. If I climb a Sugar Maple tree really high up I can see the tiny red buds popping out all over the branches. The Sugar Maples are making a ton of sap right now! When the temperatures are very low at night and high during the day its the best time of year to collect sap. We've made some delicious Maple syrup last week at Eldridge!

Here is a picture of me climbing a Linden tree looking for its buds.  Linden trees have little pink buds. I don't see them yet, though. What signs of spring can you see in your neighborhood? I can't wait to keep watch while the natural world wakes up from winter!

Until next time my friends!

Eco.

Chicago Wilderness

Today I took a train ride down to the city. Trains are always better for the environment than cars. They don’t pollute the air as much as a car and they can move a lot more people at once which is super efficient. I think its a lot of fun taking the train! (First picture)
I love looking out the window! (Picture two)
After my train ride I went to visit the Chicago Wilderness office. Chicago Wilderness is a really cool organization that Elmhurst Park District is a member of. (http://www.chicagowilderness.org) They want to help the environment! Here is a picture of me interviewing the Director of Chicago Wilderness, Melinda Pruitt-Jones. (Picture three)
I asked her if there was anything she wanted me to tell my friends back at Elmhurst and she said, “I want all your friends to make sure they get outside and play!” I told her not to worry because at Eldridge Nature Center we have so many fun programs that let us play outside.
Until next time my friends,
Eco the Raccoon

Hello!

Greetings everyone! Welcome to my blog! This is a great way for me to keep you updated on all the great adventures I go on! Whenever I learn something really amazing I'll put it up here so everyone can see it! I would love to hear from you, too! There's an "Ask Eco" link on this page, email me all your questions! I love questions. Especially ones about raccoons!

Here is a picture of me with our Program Manager, Matt Poole. He helped me set up my blog today. Even though raccoons are great with their hands I still have trouble typing.

Until next time my friends!
Eco