Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance

02/15/2025

Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance Says, "Goodbye!"

We have decided to dissolve Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance and to transfer its responsibilities to other organizations.

We want to express our deep gratitude to members, allies, partners, donors, and correspondents of Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance over the past 30 years. It has been our privilege to serve the Downers Grove community as an advocate for the preservation of its natural and historic resources.

Beginning with the community-based effort to save Lyman Woods in the 1980's, we have had the pleasure of seeing this special wooded area preserved, expanded and developed as an educational resource, along with the Belmont Prairie Illinois Nature Preserve. We are blessed as a community to have two such high quality natural resources, under the management of the Downers Grove Park District.

Following the demolition of the historic W. H. Edwards House at 942 Maple Avenue, June 6, 2015, the community has placed greater emphasis on protecting its cultural heritage. Currently, Downers Grove has conferred local landmark status on 33 historic properties. We may expect to see this number grow in the future.

Please click here to read our final Newsletter for information about how activities of Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance are now winding down.

With our sincere gratitude,
Ken Lerner, Chair
Chris Saricks, Chair pro-tem
Mark Bragen, Secretary
Gordon Goodman, Treasurer
Marge Earl, Director
Rich Kulovany, Director

09/29/2024

Fall newsletter

03/29/2023

Are you interested in how our local candidates view environmental issues in Downers Grove? Check this out before you vote on April 4! Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance and Greener Grove submitted questions to each of the candidates for Mayor and Commissioner in Downers Grove, with a focus on our local environment - including our tree canopy, our participation in the Greenest Region Compact, and whether we should have an active Environmental Commission. You can see their written responses at:

05/27/2022

PDHA Remembers Nan Newlon.

05/09/2022

Today's bit of history:
In 1996, over 13,000 votes were cast on a referendum to save an additional 40 acres of Lyman Woods through a joint effort between the Park District and the DuPage Forest Preserve. It passed by a mere twelve votes where the William F. Sherman Interpretive Center was later built. Since then, additional parcels of land have been purchased and added to the preserve. This effort was supported by the Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance. Learn more at lymanwoods.org.

Join us for the 75th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, May 14, from 12 to 7pm as we party the day away at McCollum Park with live music, free activities, contests, food trucks and more! View the details at https://www.dgparks.org/75thAnniversary

04/28/2022

Wilderness & Wildflower Walk Now Saturday, May 14th

Due to a whole lot of cold, wet weather, Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance is delaying this year's guided Wilderness & Wildflower Walk in Lyman Woods. Lance Herning now plans to lead a group of hikers on Saturday, May 14th, departing at 9:00 AM from the Interpretive Center. The group will be limited to about 15 participants and should expect to spend about 1.5 to 2 hours exploring the woods and fields of this high quality nature preserve. After our recent uncertain weather, the trails may still be muddy in spots so that participants need to dress appropriately. After the walk we will provide refreshments and opportunities for conversation.
You can register for the walk by following this link:
http://pdha.org/2022_LW_Walk.html

03/21/2022

Tree clearing at Longfellow. The solid trunks and healthy bark of these giants show they were in reasonably good health. We hope that bodes well for the parkway trees that remain- they face a couple years of stress as construction moves through.

05/26/2021

When planted in the right spot, trees provide shade and help cool homes. The 2020 Chicago Region Tree Census found that trees save area residents $32 million per year in energy costs! Learn how to plant the right tree in the right place and give it the right care: https://bit.ly/2G1wr01

05/05/2021

FREE WEBINAR! May 6, 2021, 7:00 p.m.
Solving Problems in Your Yard with Rain Gardens, Rain Barrels and Native Plants

Do you have issues with standing water in your yard? Do you want to attract more butterflies to your yard? Then this is the webinar to watch. Learn how to create to a habitat for pollinators and fix water issues in your yard with beautiful native plants...just in time for the Downers Grove Native Plant Sale!

Register HERE: https://bit.ly/33ecH1g

04/30/2021

Happy Arbor Day!

Thank you to the Whittier Elementary School 1st graders for their help in planting 2 trees at Constitution Park this ! A special thank you to the Pierce Downer's Heritage Alliance for their generous donation! 🌳

04/17/2021

Smells like Belmont Prairie!