Chapters in Illinois

Join Carol Elkins, Xerces Society Ambassador, to take a deep dive into the world of moths and discover the many wonders of nighttime pollination!

You’ll learn about their unique life cycle, behaviors, diversity, and more - as well as the important part that they play in our ecosystems. This presentation will conclude with constructive ways that you can help conserve these important, yet lesser-known, pollinators.

By day, Carol is the Conservation Program Specialist for Geneva Lake Conservancy, where she manages the Conservation@Home and Keep It Blue programs. Carol has consulted with hundreds of private homeowners, homeowner associations, businesses, and schools, where she offers direction and ecological best practices to restore and improve native habitat for people, water, and wildlife.

This program is presented in partnership with the Gail Borden Library. In person or online. To sign up for either one: go to https://attend.gailborden.info/event/16394623

Come celebrate a beautiful Fall Day at the recently completed DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center. Meet at the Picnic Shelter for refreshments, then explore both the visitor center and the restored natural area behind it.

Everyone is welcome to this free event.  If the weather is not so nice, we will still have a welcome table beneath the shelter, and you can still see the inside of the very informative visitor center.  Dress for the weather if you intend to walk the natural area.

As an added bonus for anyone that is a paid-up member of Greater DuPage Wild Ones, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Conservation Center is offered. A Notice to Register will be sent to members on October 17.  Because the tour group must be kept to a reasonable size, everyone that registers may not be able to get on a tour.  

For anyone that is not currently a member, please do so (or renew) before the Notice to Register goes out. Only Members receiving the Notice will get the information needed to register.  Registration will be open until the maximum number of tour slots are filled.

Join like minded people for an evening of fun on Hauberg's beautiful lawn.  Bring a lawn chair and maybe a snack beverages are availablefor purchase.

Start saving seeds now and join us for the much-anticipated Greater DuPage Wild Ones Annual Seed Exchange and Chapter Meeting, hosted at The Growing Place in Aurora! This event is a favorite among our members and friends, and it is an excellent opportunity to connect, share seeds and valuable information. We encourage everyone to save seeds in preparation for this gathering. 

Schedule
10:00 am - 10:30 am: If you are bringing seeds or items to donate, please arrive prior to the start of the event. This helps avoid confusion caused by seeds getting set out at the same time seeds are being removed. The more seeds you bring, the earlier you should arrive. (Thank You!)
Hand your seeds or donation items to our volunteers at the Welcome Table to get placed in the appropriate category, then please enjoy exploring The Growing Place or visit with other attendees (outside, if it is nice), until we are ready to start the meeting portion of the day.
10:30 am: START

10:30 am - 10:45am: Membership Meeting and Elections
All members are invited to attend our Chapter Membership Meeting, which will precede the Seed Exchange. Officer elections will take place during this time. The meeting will be brief.
10:45am - Noon: Seed "Shopping" 
Explore the variety of seeds available for exchange. Bring envelopes to take away seeds you select. Please respect that others are looking for seed too and do not take more than a fair share. If you wish to take a large quantity, wait until the end and you can take whatever is remaining.

How the Exchange Works
Bring your own native harvested seeds to the Seed Exchange and take seeds brought by other enthusiasts. Don't worry if you don't have seeds to trade; you can make a nominal donation in exchange for bringing seeds. Here is a list of the species that we exchanged in recent years. To see some tips on seed collecting go to our Seed Harvest page.

Labeling and Packaging Seeds
Clean your seeds by removing them from stems, leaves, and fluff. Package seeds in envelopes or paper bags, clearly labeling them with Latin and common names, description, color of the flower, time of bloom, plant height, and best planting location.  Print copies of our Seed Labels Template (Microsoft Word Format) or Seed Labels Template (PDF Format) to easily label your seeds. 

Silent Auction
We encourage attendees to contribute to our Silent Auction by donating garden-related items like books, posters, art, garden tools, bird feeders, and more. Items should be in good condition and preferably related to native gardening. You can bring items to bid on, buy, or even give away for free.

Note:  Please DO NOT bring live plants that you have dug up to the exchange!

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