College of DuPage offering ecological restoration certificate
College of DuPage is offering a new 44-credit hour ecological restoration certificate.
The program is designed to use restoration techniques to monitor, assess, preserve and restore ecosystems, a news release said.
Students will receive a foundation in local natural history, ecological concepts and disturbances, and natural resource management policy and can pursue future careers as restoration ecologists, environmental restoration planners and field technicians in government, corporate and nonprofit organizations, the release said.
Among industries using ecological restoration are park districts, schools, forest preserves, state parks and landscape companies.
Students can earn industry-recognized certifications such as the Illinois pesticide license and prescribed burn training and chainsaw training certifications.
Students also can use the credit hours towards the college’s horticulture associate in applied science degree, the release said.
KidsMatter EMPOWER Gala to fund new arts program
Proceeds from the KidsMatter EMPOWER Gala will help launch an arts and innovation course within the SpringBoard Summer Series as well as help fund other KidsMatter initiatives, organizers said.
The gala will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Naperville, 1823 Abriter Court.
Naperville artists will be featured at the event, showing off their talents in design, lighting, music, sound, piano, photography, singing and culinary arts, according to KidsMatter.
Performances include Harmony & Soul, an R&B group affiliated with Mays Music Centre of Excellence in Naperville; pianist Alex Amato of Naperville and Roadshow Inc.
Cathy Bouchard, owner of Le Chocolat du Bouchard in Naperville, will showcase culinary artistry in the event’s dessert table.
KidsMatter is developing an arts and innovation section within the SpringBoard Summer Series, which provides career exploration in fields such as physical and life sciences, construction management and trades, healthcare, and pharmacy. The new section will help participants gain exposure to careers involving AI, the arts and emerging technologies, according to the KidMatter organization.
For tickets or sponsorships, go to kidsmatter2us.org/empower.
Pennies for Pies seeking donations to buy pies for food pantry
Pennies for Pies, a Naperville Park District Thanksgiving tradition, will be collecting spare change and other monetary donations through Friday, Nov. 21.
Residents can donate online at www.napervilleparks.org or in person at one of five park district facilities.
Donations can be dropped off during business hours to the Fort Hill Activity Center, 20 Fort Hill Drive; Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, 305 W. Jackson Ave.; and Knoch Knolls Nature Center, 320 Knoch Knolls Road; as well as the golf shops at the Springbrook Golf Course, 2220 W. 83rd St., and the Naperbrook Golf Course, 22204 W. 111th St.
Donations will fund pumpkin pies that will be given to Loaves & Fishes Community Services for families in need. Last year, the park district funded 130 pies through the initiative, district officials said.
