Chapters in Illinois

Please join us for a joint presentation sponsored by Wild Ones Tri-State Driftless Area and the Galena Territory Association's Greenspace Advisory Group. 

Cory Ritterbusch and Emily Lubcke will focus on the native landscape design at the Marina Park, including a presentation in the Marina Lounge to learn about native landscape design perspectives, how we approached the Marina Park plantings, and favorite species for various conditions. After the presentation, we will walk through the Marina plantings, which include mulch beds, prairie areas, and an oak savanna under restoration.

Cory Ritterbusch is the owner of Prairie Works, Inc. and has been involved with ecological restoration and native landscaping design and installation for more than 30 years. Emily Lubcke is the Natural Resources Manager at The Galena Territory Association since 2007. Cory and Emily collaborated on the design and installation of the Marina Park landscaping in 2024. 

Tour of Wild Ones' member's well established urban prairie garden in Rockford. Address given in registration email. 

Visit our website to register:  https://rrvcwildones.org

Ready to turn your kitchen scraps into garden gold? Join us for "Tips and Tricks for Successful Home Composting," an interactive workshop on making composting work for any home. Whether you have a sprawling backyard or a small apartment, you’ll learn about different methods, including indoor systems like Bokashi and Vermiculture.

Considered a keystone species, oak trees support more critical habitat than any other North American tree. They are one of the most valuable tree types providing a strong sense of place in the Midwest, and are the National Tree of the United States. However, oaks are in decline. 

We will host a screening of “The Nature of Oaks,” by Doug Tallamy. This 50-minute video will help you discover why oak trees are biodiversity powerhouses and will show you how to restore nature right in your own yard, no matter its size. You may find it is the perfect tree for your landscape.

After the screening there will be a question-and-answer session led by Emily Lubcke, Natural Resource Manager of the Galena Territory Association.

Because distance often keeps members from attending monthly programs, we're offering a relaxed new way to connect.  Join us for casual conversation about native plants, gardens, birds, and pollinators - just good company and shared ideas.  Let's learn from one another - no program.  Just conversation. 

Members cover their own food and drinks.