Chapters in Illinois

Jumping worms (Amynthas spp.) are an invasive group of earthworms now found in parts of Illinois.  This program will share current research on their identification, biology, and ecological impacts, along with emerging approaches for monitoring and management. 

Speaker: Tricia Bethke, Forest Pest Outreach Coordinator at the Morton Arboretum

Our annual Potluck Dinner is the social event of the year.  This year we will be at the Winfield Park District Recreation Center.  The building is on County Farm Road, about 1 mile north of Roosevelt Road, and is on the west side of the street.  If you are coming from the south, it is just before you get to Jewell Road.   

Bring a dish to share.  You will need your own place settings and whatever you would like to drink (non-alcoholic).  

If you need a heating plate or crock-pot, there will be outlets to plug into, but we will not have use of a stove.

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

Note:   At the request of the presenter, a recording of this program will only be made available to chapter members.

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Alan Branhagen, Executive Director of the Natural Land Institute, will introduce us to the marvelous array of butterflies (and moths) that can be found in our region.  We will learn about the various species found here, their status, how we can attract them to our yards with their host and nectar plants and even ways to garden or maintain our landscapes so that we don’t harm them.  Alan hopes the program inspires some reverence for these amazing insects, that sadly, are in trouble. What you see now is the new normal, but it is not normal.  Luckily, these insects have the resiliency to rebound if given a chance.

Presenter Bio:

Alan Branhagen is the Executive Director of the Natural Land Institute in Rockford, Illinois: one of the nation’s first land trusts and organization. Alan was Director of Operations at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in suburban Minneapolis-St. Paul (America’s 15th largest public botanical garden) from 2017-2023 where he managed Horticulture, Plant Curation, and Natural Resource Management. For over 20 years he was the Director of Horticulture at Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s botanical garden where he oversaw all horticulture and site planning as well as resource management of the 915-acre site. He is also the author of the books Native Plants of the Midwest: A Comprehensive Guide to the Best 500 Species for the Garden and The Midwest Native Plant Primer: 225 Plants for an Earth-Friendly Garden.

Alan’s career began at the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County in Rockford, Illinois in 1987. For almost a decade he oversaw all forest preserves’ planning, development, and management. He was part of the beginning of the Klehm Arboretum which launched his public horticulture career.  Alan’s career has come full circle back to Rockford. Alan has a Bachelor’s of Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University and a Masters of Landscape Architecture from Louisiana State University.

Jessie will discuss how Rewilding our land through restoration of native plants can help restore the land