Chapters in Illinois

BOOST YOUR YARD’S ECOLOGICAL POWER WITH NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS

Shrubs are an often missing part of home landscapes, yet they provide vital habitat and food for birds and beneficial insects. This sale offers many native shrubs and a few great trees that deserve more use in our area.

Ordering InformationPre-orders begin August 9Orders end September 20Pick Up DetailsChoose pickup time here: Tree/Shrub Sale Pick UpPickup Date: Saturday, October 5Timed pick-up slots between 10 am and 2 pmLocation: Euclid Avenue Methodist Church, 405 S. Euclid Ave, Oak ParkPick up in church parking lot entrance on east side of EuclidVolunteers will help load your trees and shrubs into your vehicle.

Join us for our October monthly program, all about Seed Collection Tips & Techniques!

Introduction to Seed Collection: Learn about the importance of proper seed collection in preserving plant diversity and ensuring healthy plants. We'll cover the fundamentals and discuss why technique matters.

Best Practices for Seed Collection: Discover the step-by-step process of collecting seeds from various types of plants. We’ll cover timing, tools, and techniques to ensure high-quality seed collection.

Seed Processing and Storage: Understand how to process and store seeds to maintain viability and prevent spoilage. Topics include drying methods, storage containers, and ideal environmental conditions.

Hands-On Demonstration: Observe a live demonstration of seed collection techniques, including proper handling and preparation for storage. Participants will have the opportunity to practice these techniques.

Seed Swap Protocol: See how to package and label your native seeds for the upcoming seed swap. For those attending the swap, materials will be available for you to take home.

Q&A and Discussion: Engage in an interactive discussion to address your specific questions and share experiences with fellow attendees.

Join us for a twice-monthly stewardship workday at Collinson Ecological Preserve in partnership with the QC Chapter of the Illinois Native Plant Society and Augustana College. Activities change with the season and needs of the preserve's natural communities, but you can expect to participate in native seed collection and dispersal, invasive species removal, brush cutting and burning, and more. Come lend a hand and experience the magic of engaging with our local ecology!

Workdays will happen every second Wednesday from 5-7pm and every fourth Sunday from 10am-Noon each month, unless otherwise noted. 

We will meet at the parking area located at
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PCdzAp6X8AdLDAze7
41.436870, -90.552758

If the lot is full when you arrive, please pull all the way down the driveway and park in front of the garage.
Please make sure to wear long pants, bring bug spray, sun protection, water, and any other items you will need to be comfortable outdoors. All tools and equipment will be provided, but feel free to bring your own! We will do our best to announce the focus activities for each workday ahead of time.

If you plan on attending, please RSVP to [email protected]. Let us know if you have any questions and hope to see you at the preserve!

Our October meeting will be held at the Lyman Woods Nature Center.  Wing and Talons is an organization that educates the public about the importance of our native birds-of-prey and the challenges they face.  They will bring several of the birds in their care to the meeting.  This is an in-person meeting. We highly encourage for everyone to meet these magnificent birds up close, and to learn what we can do to help them.  See you there!

Note:  Lyman Woods Nature Center is located at 901 31st Street in Downers Grove on the corner of 31st & Highland Ave just south of the EW 88 tollway. 

To members of QC Wild Ones, Guardians of the Prairie & Forest,  and QC Chapter Illinois Native Plant Society 

I'm excited to share that Marilyn Andress, a proud member of Guardians of the Prairie and Forest, a Wild One member of the Quad Cities, an INPS member, and the owner of Prairie Rose Acres in Illinois City, has an exciting invitation for you!

You are invited to the annual fall picnic and seed gathering at Andress Prairie Rose Acres, Illinois City. 

A hayrack will take you to a 15-acre sand/dry-mesic prairie, where we will tour and gather seed. Planted 26 years ago, this is an excellent example of a long-term native plant restoration project.

Marilyn is requesting that a portion of the seed gathered be used on 6 acres adjacent to the existing site, which will be converted from a hay/corn field to a sand prairie. 

You can take seeds for your projects and the seed swap in November. It's a good seed year, and there is plenty for everyone. 

Following seed gathering, we will return to the Andress patio overlooking the Mississippi River for fun, food, and conversation. 

Save the Date, Oct 18th!
 

seed gathering starts at 3:30, and potluck dinner begins at 5:30 

Hot Dogs, buns, and condiments provided. 

Bring a Potluck item to share

 &  a chair. Join anytime!

Families are welcome to come.  

Anyone wanting to camp can set up at Prairie Rose Acres Bluff. 

Don't forget to bring gloves and paper bags/envelopes to collect your seed! 

R.S.V.P to  Wild Ones Quad Cities email [email protected]

Once you're registered, we will send you the directions, etc.