Chapters in Illinois

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

Learn how to identify Illinois native trees in the winter, using their branches and bark as a guide.  Michelle Berg will lead this field gathering at Horner Park in Lebanon, IL.

Wild Ones member, Sharon Geils, has completed a tree identification and mapping project at Horner Park - a map and a list of identified trees will be part of the program.

This will be an outdoor gathering, so dress for the weather and be prepared to walk.

Will meet at pavilion #2,  (turn left after tennis courts towards Hattie Horner's Kiddie Korral and park at pavilion)

Note: This program will also be livestreamed.  The link to join the livestream is available HERE.  At the request of the presenter, a recording of the program will only be made available to chapter members.

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In this presentation, Dr. Jan Gehring will introduce us to the wonderful world of Orchids. She will begin by highlighting their global distribution and species diversity.  This will be followed by a discussion of the characteristics of orchids, including habit, growth forms, vegetative traits, flowers, and seeds.  The presentation will conclude by highlighting the species of orchids native to Central Illinois and their habitats.

Presenter Bio:

Dr. Jan Gehring grew up on a farm in East-Central Nebraska and began her education in a one-room schoolhouse. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.  Her Master’s research was on the impacts of red cedar spread on native prairie vegetation . She went on to earn her Ph.D. at the University of Colorado in 1990 where her research was on sexual dimorphism in white campion (Silene latifolia). Following that, she completed a post-doc at Indiana University from 1993 to 1996.  The majority of her career was spent in Peoria where she served as Assistant and Associate Professor of Biology at Bradley University from 1996 to 2020.  At Bradley, she taught courses in evolution, ecology and plant science. In retirement Dr. Gehring loves traveling to natural areas where she can’t help botanizing everywhere she goes.

Join us at the Oak Park Public Library-Main Branch for a presentation and workshop on gardening with native plants. Following a brief progress report from the Village's Office of Sustainability and Resilience on the Climate Ready Oak Park Green Infrastructure plan and the new parkway ordinance, various templates for potential parkway garden designs will be shared. Participants will have an opportunity to create their own parkway garden plans using the template in a workshop style setting with local experts on hand to answer questions and offer guidance as well as to learn more about participating organizations West Cook Wild Ones and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Beginner gardeners welcome! 

This event is brought to you in partnership with the library and The Village of Oak Park.

Join WILD ONES WEST COOK for a relaxed printmaking class and group gathering! We’ll spend time creating simple prints together, sharing snacks and drinks, and connecting as we plan for the season ahead. No printmaking experience needed—just come ready to make, mingle, and dream up what’s next for our local Wild Ones community.

If you're interested in printing on fabric--t-shirts, tote bags, patches, etc.--please bring those materials.  

Registration is through Schoolhouse Kitchen.  WOWC members can use code WILD for $5 discount.