Chapters in Illinois

Growing native plants from seed generally involves different processes than growing many garden vegetables from seed because most native plant seeds need to “experience” winter conditions in order to successfully germinate.  In this program you will learn - where to get native plant seed; how to create the conditions needed for native plant seeds to germinate; and how to prepare your seedlings for life in your garden.  Free native seed packets will be available to get you started so that your plants are ready to plant in your garden this spring. Supplies of these seed packets are limited.  Some of these seeds were harvested from the new Prairie on the Patio native plant garden at Bloomington Public Library.

This program and Bloomington Public Library's new Prairie on the Patio Garden was made possible through grant funding from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation with additional support from Wild Ones: Illinois Prairie Chapter. 
 

Presenter Bio:

Sherrie Snyder is a graduate of the University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist program, a founding member of the Illinois Prairie chapter of Wild Ones, and an active member of the ParkLands Foundation. She has grown and donated thousands of native plants for natural plantings around the community.

Join us for this virtual presentation by Dennis Swiftdeer Paige to hear the story of how one residential association in Chicagoland transformed their lawn into a stunning collection of prairie, woodland, and wetland wildflowers, sedges, grasses, and rain gardens that flourished through all four seasons. Learn how you can get started in reshaping your own native eco-friendly landscape while enhancing not only beauty but also biodiversity and environmental health.
 

This event is hosted in partnership with the Oak Park Public Library in Oak Park, IL

Bio:

Dennis Swiftdeer Paige is an author, environmental educator, conservation practitioner and native landscaper. He is the winner of several prestigious awards in native landscaping and habitat preservation, including the 2011 Conservation and Native Landscaping Award from USEPA and the Chicago Wilderness Alliance. A former Illinois resident, he currently lives in Conifer, Colorado. His book Community Eco-gardens: Landscaping with Native Plants was published by Mcfarland and Company in 2013 with a foreword by noted native garden expert Doug Tallamy. Check out this clip from WTTW Chicago Tonight to learn more.

Learn about the bats of Illinois and Lake County, including steps you can take to provide habitat for bats in your backyard or neighborhood. Understand threats to bats and simple ways you can help to protect your local bat populations.

Speaker: Dr Joy O'Keefe, Associate Professor and Wildlife Extension Specialist in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.

Convervation Work.  Contact  Rob Liva (630) 346-6588 or [email protected] for details and meet location.  Bring gloves, water, tools

Does dreaming of spring wildflowers get you through the cold dark winter? Get ready for the warmer weather and growing season by learning to recognize and appreciate the early spring wildflowers of the St. Louis area in their natural habitats. We’ll cover identification and interesting facts about these spring bloomers. No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow, so be ready to enjoy the flowers when it arrives.