Environmental events on tap

Several environmental events, including some sponsored by the Beautify Southern Illinois campaign, are scheduled in the region over the next couple of months.

• Volunteers will gather for a clean-up of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, April 22, which is Earth Day. Volunteers should meet at Play Port Marina at 8 a.m. To reach the marina, turn south off of Illinois Route 13 at Ike's Auto Park onto Spillway Road; the marina is the first left off of Spillway Road. The clean-up will last until 12:30 p.m., and lunch will be provided. The first 200 participants will receive free T-shirts. Refuge officials ask that those interested in helping with the clean-up pre-register by calling 618/997-3344, ext.334.
• A free used tire collection is set for Friday, June 2, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Saturday, June 3, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Williamson County Highway Department, 1817 N. Court St., Marion (across the highway from WDDD radio station on Illinois Route 37 north of Illinois Route 13). For more information, call 618/993-8111 or 618/439-0951. Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department and the Williamson County Highway Department are sponsoring the collection.
• A household chemical collection is set for 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, in the SIU Arena south parking lot. SIUC, Jackson County Health Department and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency are sponsoring the collection, which will accept oil-based paint, paint thinner, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, poisons, pool chemicals, old gasoline, motor oil, antifreeze, aerosols, adhesives, polishes, waxes, cleaners and many more.

Paul Restivo, director of SIUC's Center for Environmental Health and Safety, chairs the Beautify Southern Illinois campaign, which SIU President Glenn Poshard co-founded.