Homewood, Will County naturalists eagerly anticipate the emergence of cicadas, with Broods of cicadas expected to reappear after 17 and 13 years underground, creating a loud and fascinating spectacle. Communities are using this natural wonder to educate residents and increase civic engagement, with efforts to handle the cicadas and generate funds from the event. Homewood’s communications specialist creatively turned to Taylor Swift’s merchandise, selling shirts with a cicada twist to raise funds for a local women’s shelter. The Will County Forest Preserve District also joined in with cicada-themed merchandise. While some may find the cicadas gross or loud, naturalists encourage residents to appreciate the unique event, as it will be missed once it passes.
Cicadas Buzzing in Homewood, Will County
Ah, the unmistakable sound of summer – cicadas buzzing in the air, their chorus filling the warm days and balmy evenings. Homewood, located in Will County, Illinois, is gearing up for a spectacular natural event as cicadas emerge from their long underground slumber. The excitement is palpable as these fascinating insects prepare to make their grand appearance after 17 or 13 years, depending on the brood.
Excitement Builds as Cicadas Emerge
Picture this: old growth trees with their trunks covered in tiny holes, a sign that the cicadas are stirring beneath the surface. Bryon Doerr, Homewood’s landscape supervisor, points out these holes with a mix of awe and amusement, knowing that a cicada emergence is on the horizon. These insects, which have spent nearly two decades underground, are now ready to make their way back up the trees to continue their life cycle.
The cicadas, with their distinctive buzzing, are a natural wonder that has captured the attention of the community in Homewood. The overlap of the 17-year and 13-year broods this summer is a rare occurrence that hasn’t happened in 221 years, making this event even more special. The anticipation is high, and residents are preparing for a summer filled with the loud symphony of cicadas.
Community Engagement and Creative Initiatives
As the cicadas prepare to make their grand entrance, the community in Homewood is not just sitting back and listening to the buzzing. They are actively engaging with this natural phenomenon in creative and exciting ways. Angela Rafac, an interpretive naturalist for the Will County Forest Preserve District, along with other experts, has been educating residents about the cicadas and their impact on the environment.
One standout individual, Antonia Steinmiller, Homewood’s communications and engagement specialist, took her fascination with cicadas to a whole new level. Drawing inspiration from the magical nature of these insects, she decided to infuse a bit of pop culture into the mix. Turning to none other than Taylor Swift for creative motivation, Steinmiller embarked on a unique project that combined cicadas with the pop star’s iconic imagery.
Cicada-Themed Merchandise and Community Support
Steinmiller’s project involved remixing Taylor Swift’s merchandise by replacing the singer’s face with that of a cicada. The result? A quirky and fun shirt design that quickly caught the attention of residents in Homewood. The shirts sold out in no time, with about 400 sales made both online and at pop-up shops. The proceeds from these sales were directed towards a local women’s shelter called Anew, showcasing the community’s spirit of giving back.
But the creativity didn’t stop there. The Will County Forest Preserve District also jumped on the cicada bandwagon by designing their own merchandise with witty puns related to the buzzing insects. From “Be Loud, Be Proud” to “Silence is Overrated,” the district’s merchandise added a touch of humor to the cicada frenzy.
As the cicadas prepare to take center stage in Homewood and Will County, residents are gearing up for a summer filled with the unique sound and sight of these insects. While some may find the cicadas overwhelming, naturalists urge everyone to embrace this once-in-a-lifetime event and appreciate the beauty of nature’s cycle.
So, as the cicadas make their grand entrance and the buzz fills the air, Homewood and Will County are ready to welcome these fascinating creatures with open arms and a sense of excitement. Let’s embrace the buzz and enjoy the magic of the cicadas in our midst!
