2. Mulch your plants and trees – It adds nutrients to the soil and keeps in moisture that reduces the need to irrigate of fertilize.

3. Change a light bulb – Replacing one regular incandescent light bulb with a CFL (compact florescent light bulb) will save 150 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

4. Capture, treat and keep storm water on your property – This can be done with rain barrels and native plantings. Reducing impervious surfaces also helps keep the water out of the storm sewers and on your property for your plants to enjoy.

5. Compost green waste – Designate a place to compost green material and use it on your property as lawn fertilizer or plant food.

6. Use less hot water – Install a low-flow showerhead and wash your clothes in cold or warm water.

7. Adjust your thermostat – Two degrees cooler in winter and two degrees warmer in summer will save approximately 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

8. Take reusable bags to the store – If every household reused a paper grocery bag for one shopping trip, about 60,000 trees would be saved!

9. Recycle – Check the packaging for every product you want to purchase. Don’t buy it if it’s not recyclable plastic, glass or paper.

10. Plant a tree! – The average tree will absorb 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide in its lifetime.

The Morton Arboretum’s environmentally friendly main parking lot reduces pollution, erosion, and flooding because it absorbs stormwater rather than allowing it to run directly into storm drains, detention facilities or streams. Its design slows, cleans and cools rainwater run-off before it enters Meadow Lake and the DuPage River.

The surface of the parking lot is composed of an interlocking concrete paver system that includes one-inch square holes filled with gravel through which water flows, rather than rushing off the parking lot surface. A four-foot deep layer of gravel beneath the pavers filters the water and traps pollutants as the rainwater passes through.

Compared to a traditional parking lot, this system is more expensive to install but ultimately saves money because it requires less regular maintenance. The brick surface stays cooler than blacktop, slows and cleans run-off, and is more attractive. It does, however, require some maintenance in order to function properly.

You’ll want to check out additional details and other important components of our main parking lot at our website.

The special construction of the lot also requires specialized maintenance. Periodic (once every five years or so) vacuuming of the paving removes sediment buildup in the voids of the pavement and keeps water flowing. Grit and sand cannot be used for traction during winter weather because it can plug holes. Rather, a rubber tip, metal blade or sweeper can be used to keep the walking/driving surface safe. De-icing chemicals are safe to use on construction materials, but need to be used conservatively to protect plant and water quality.