Chapters in Illinois

This year we are offering ten tree, eight shrub, and four vine species that are native to our region. Once established, these plants are easy-to-grow, require minimal maintenance, and provide food and shelter for native wildlife.

The brochure includes details about each plant, information about the benefits of native plant species, how to choose your plants, planting and growing conditions guides, and resources to help you get started.

Orders are processed on a first-come, first-served basis so place your order early! Inventory is subject to nursery availability.

Orders Due

Sunday, September 20 

Pickup Dates and Times

Friday, October 2, 3 to 7 pm

Saturday, October 3, 9 am to 12 pm.

Join us for a hands-on introduction to native seed gathering and processing!

We’ll start the morning at the Trailside Museum with coffee and pastries before heading out to help restore native habitat. At 9:45, we’ll gather for coffee and a brief introduction. Then we’ll divide into two groups:

Seed Processing:
Join Master Naturalists at the Nature Center to learn about sustainable seed harvesting and help sort and process native seeds.

Seed Collecting:
Head out into the habitat with the Thatcher Woods Steward to learn how to identify and responsibly gather seeds from native plants.

After about an hour, the groups will switch so everyone has a chance to experience both activities.

What to wear:
Seed collecting takes us off-trail through tall vegetation and uneven terrain, so please wear long pants, long sleeves, and sturdy shoes. Bring water and maybe some bug spray!

If walking off-trail is too much, you’re welcome to stay at the Nature Center and spend the morning processing seeds.

Come sip, learn, collect, and help grow the next generation of native habitat!

Travel across the epic sojourn of conservation Chicago Region style, examining some of the seminal moments and defining struggles that have marked our part of the world as an epicenter of environmental thought and action. Discover not only our rich heritage of setting aside land for the natural world but how a new form of conservation, based on building thousands of privately owned backyard arks is revolutionizing conservation for the decades ahead.

Speaker: Ed Collins, retired Director of Land Preservation and Natural Resources for the McHenry County Conservation District

What happens when Chicagoans relocate to the Southwest suburbs and discover that the land surrounding their new multigenerational home is "dead" — devoid of bees, birds, butterflies, and creatures of all kinds? For Elizabeth and her daughter, Alexia Neubauer (now president of the Sag Moraine Native Plant Community), this shocking discovery marked the beginning of a journey into sustainable "yardening." They had left the city precisely to enjoy Nature but found a silent landscape right in their own backyard. In her presentation, Homer Glen resident Elizabeth-Anne Stewart will explain the importance of "Epiphany Moments" in shifting thinking away from lava rock and manicured lawns towards the need to create landscapes that are pollinator-friendly.

You will learn of the family's mistakes and triumphs, culminating in their home being recognized as an environmentally-friendly "Conservation@Home" property. There will be time for laughter, storytelling, and shared wisdom.   

Bio:

Dr. Elizabeth-Anne Stewart, BCC, PCC  

Author | Speaker | Transformational Coach

www.elizabeth-annestewart.com  

www.ChicagoWritingCoach.com 

linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-anne-stewart-phd/

Born in England and raised on the tiny Mediterranean island of Malta, Dr. Elizabeth-Anne Stewart is committed to expanding consciousness and compassion through both the inward journey and the outer journey -- hence her passion for native plants! In addition to Spiritual Direction and Transformational Coaching, Dr. Stewart offers personal development workshops and retreats; she also teaches at St. Xavier University and The Institute for Life Coach Training.  She holds a PhD in Theology from the University of Malta and is the author of 14 books and many articles; additional interests include the mythic imagination, poetry, the environment, and photography.  Her most recent book, Unlocking Epiphany Moments: A Primer for Life Coaches and Other Inner Guides, was published by Collective Ink in the U.K. in 2025 .

Registration required by each attendee.

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.