Chapters in Illinois

Liven Up Your Landscape with Beautiful Native Plants

Preorders: March 15-May 11, 2025

Two Pick-Up Locations:

Forest Preserve District of Cook County Central Warehouse, 2199 S. 1st Ave,  Maywood, IL.
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, 12545 W. 111th St., Lemont, IL. 

Join author and natural history educator Cindy Crosby, as she discusses how Illinois' original garden, the tallgrass prairie, has been shaped by bison. Learn how these charismatic megafauna are being restored to Illinois prairies and listen to tales of their connections, both historical and  contemporary, to some Native American tribes. 

Please join Dubuque County Conservation and the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium staff as they touch on the importance of tri-state bat populations, their ecosystems, conservation efforts nationwide and globally, benefits to using bats in terms of integrated pest management, and ways to make sure that bats don't get in homes or other structures. 

County Conservation staff will cover bat houses and regulations should bats enter the home or if you encounter bats on your property. A little education can go a long way in helping these wonderful creatures! 

Depending on availability, there may be some time for questions at the end of the presentation.

Reference Links:

River Museum: https://www.rivermuseum.org/about 

Green Iowa: https://www.greeniowaamericorps.org/ 

You are invited to Greater DuPage Wild Ones annual potluck dinner!  This has always been a well-attended gathering and a time for socializing with members and friends.  Please bring a dish to share, drinks for yourself, and your own place serving.  Doors will be open at 5:30pm.  We plan to start eating shortly after 6:00pm.

There will be a brief summary of our plans for the summer, including an upcoming challenge for taking hikes.  Immediately following, will be an entertaining presentation given by Jack Macrae on the History of Garden Gnomes!

No reservations are required, and there is no fee for this event.  Everyone is welcome, including children.  In spite of short notice, we hope you are able to join us for this fun event!

Our monthly program for April will be a special tour of the spring ephemerals at Fairmount Cemetery in Davenport!

Join Carolina as she leads us on a walking tour of the cemetery, which is actually a prairie remnant! For those who do not wish to walk the terrain, you will be able to drive through and view many species. Following the walking or driving tour, we will meet back together for a discussion on what we found and what will be blooming soon.

Read more about the prairie remnant here: 

https://sites.google.com/view/midwestwildernessconnection/home/natural-areas/iowa-natural-areas/fairmount-cemetery-prairie-remnant?authuser=0