Events

Events Archive: 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Upcoming Events

January 2023

Jan
17

Under Our Feet-A Savvy Soil Story

This event has ended
Tuesday, January 17th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Will be Recorded Free Event Chapter Meeting Program/Speaker Presentation

This 4-part series is part of the Start in Your Yard Initiative provided by Wild Ones of Greater Kane County and the Elgin Sustainability Commission in partnership with the Gail Borden Library of Elgin Illinois.

Registration and information at startinyouryard.com/community-read

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Jan
23

Movie night

This event has ended
Monday, January 23rd, 2023
to (Central Time)
Gail Borden Library and Zoom, 270 N Grove Ave, Elgin, IL, 60120 Map
Live Stream Available

Public Welcome Free Event Chapter Meeting Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking

A nature movie presentation.

February 2023

Feb
21

Under Our Feet What is Soil? What do I need to Know?

This event has ended
Tuesday, February 21st, 2023
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Will be Recorded Free Event Chapter Meeting Program/Speaker Presentation

This 4-part series is part of the Start in Your Yard Initiative provided by Wild Ones of Greater Kane County and the Elgin Sustainability Commission in partnership with the Gail Borden Library of Elgin Illinois.

Registration and information at startinyouryard.com/community-read

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Feb
23

What About Invasive Plants? What they are and why does it matter?

This event has ended
Thursday, February 23rd, 2023
to (Central Time)
Gail Borden Library, 270N N Grove Ave, Elgin, IL, 60120 Map
Live Stream Available

Public Welcome Will be Recorded Free Event Chapter Meeting Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking

If you don't know what we mean by the term, "invasive plants," you'll learn what they are and why it's important to address them where you live.  If you're already aware, you'll find information to expand your understanding of the issues and of specific plants.  Go to the link below or click this QR code to register for online for free.

March 2023

Mar
1

Spring Ephemeral Project

This event has ended
to (Central Time)
All over Kane County

Public Welcome Nature Walk/Hike

Originally done only in St. Charles, we and 12 other nature oriented agencies signed on to do this across Kane County.  Using the iNaturalist app, individual users record spring ephemerals they see in the time period.  

Mar
7

Under Our Feet: Drama beneath our feet: Soil Organisms and organic matter

This event has ended
Tuesday, March 7th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Will be Recorded Free Event Chapter Meeting Program/Speaker Presentation

This 4-part series is part of the Start in Your Yard Initiative provided by Wild Ones of Greater Kane County and the Elgin Sustainability Commission in partnership with the Gail Borden Library of Elgin Illinois.

Registration and information at startinyouryard.com/community-read

Read More

Mar
27

Monday-night Roundtables

This event has ended
Monday, March 27th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Free Event Hands-On/How-To Workshop

Come and listen and talk with people experienced with native plants.  Listen, ask and answer questions. Learn from others with experience; share your experiences with others. Opening night:  Meet our native plants.  

No agenda, no pre-registration.  Just go to: startinyouryard.com and click Monday-night Roundtable to join in.

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Mar
30

The top 10 things new native gardeners need to know.

This event has ended
Thursday, March 30th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Gail Borden Library, 270N N Grove Ave, Elgin, IL, 60120 Map
Live Stream Available

Public Welcome Will be Recorded Free Event Chapter Meeting Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking

Horticulturist Ken Williams will bridge the gap between horticulture and native plants and give us ideas about using native plants without scaring the neighbors.

April 2023

Apr
3

Monday-night Roundtables

This event has ended
Monday, April 3rd, 2023
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Free Event Hands-On/How-To Workshop

Come and listen and talk with people experienced with native plants.  Listen, ask and answer questions. Learn from others with experience; share your experiences with others. Opening night:  Meet our native plants.  

No agenda, no pre-registration.  Just go to: startinyouryard.com and click Monday-night Roundtable to join in.

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Apr
8

Spring Ephemeral Walk

This event has ended
Saturday, April 8th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Norris Woods, St. Charles, St. Charles, IL, 60174 Map

Public Welcome Free Public Parking Lots of Physical Activity

A spring ephemeral walk with naturalist Pam Otto.

Apr
10

Monday-night Roundtables

This event has ended
Monday, April 10th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Free Event Hands-On/How-To Workshop

Come and listen and talk with people experienced with native plants.  Listen, ask and answer questions. Learn from others with experience; share your experiences with others. Opening night:  Meet our native plants.  

No agenda, no pre-registration.  Just go to: startinyouryard.com and click Monday-night Roundtable to join in.

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Apr
15

Spring Ephemeral Walk

This event has ended
Saturday, April 15th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve upper pavilion, 41W600 Hughes Rd, Elburn, IL, 60119 Map

Public Welcome Free Event Public Restroom Free Public Parking Lots of Physical Activity

Spring ephemeral walk with naturalist Barb McKittrick.

Apr
16

Spring Ephemeral Walk

This event has ended
Sunday, April 16th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Dick Young Forest Preserve Nelson Lake Road entrance by the silo, Nelson Lake Rd, Elburn, IL, 60510 Map

Public Welcome Free Event Public Restroom Free Public Parking Lots of Physical Activity

Spring ephemeral walk with naturalist Mary Alice Masonick.

Apr
17

Monday-night Roundtables

This event has ended
Monday, April 17th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Free Event Hands-On/How-To Workshop

Come and listen and talk with people experienced with native plants.  Listen, ask and answer questions. Learn from others with experience; share your experiences with others. Opening night:  Meet our native plants.  

No agenda, no pre-registration.  Just go to: startinyouryard.com and click Monday-night Roundtable to join in.

Read More

Apr
18

Under Our Feet: The soil at my house; what does this mean for me?

This event has ended
Tuesday, April 18th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Will be Recorded Free Event Chapter Meeting Program/Speaker Presentation

This 4-part series is part of the Start in Your Yard Initiative provided by Wild Ones of Greater Kane County and the Elgin Sustainability Commission in partnership with the Gail Borden Library of Elgin Illinois.

Registration and information at startinyouryard.com/community-read

Read More

Apr
23

Spring Ephemeral Walk

This event has ended
Sunday, April 23rd, 2023
to (Central Time)
Bliss Woods Forest Preserve, Main entrance on Bliss Rd, northeast of Rt. 47, Sugar Grove, IL, 60174 Map

Public Welcome Free Public Parking Lots of Physical Activity

A spring ephemeral walk with naturalist Mary Ochsenschlager.

Apr
24

Monday-night Roundtables

This event has ended
Monday, April 24th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Free Event Hands-On/How-To Workshop

Come and listen and talk with people experienced with native plants.  Listen, ask and answer questions. Learn from others with experience; share your experiences with others. Opening night:  Meet our native plants.  

No agenda, no pre-registration.  Just go to: startinyouryard.com and click Monday-night Roundtable to join in.

Read More

Apr
26

Spring Ephemeral Walk

This event has ended
Wednesday, April 26th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Batavia Wildflower Sanctuary. 151 N. Island Ave. Bandshell/Peg Bond Center, Batavia, IL, 151 N Island Ave, Batavia, IL, 60510 Map

Public Welcome Free Public Parking Lots of Physical Activity

A spring ephemeral walk with naturalist Sarah Kimber.

Apr
30

Spring Ephemeral Walk

This event has ended
Sunday, April 30th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Trout Park, 576 Trout Park Blvd, Elgin, IL, 60120 Map

Public Welcome Free Public Parking Lots of Physical Activity

A spring ephemeral walk with naturalist Sue Bohne.

May 2023

May
1

Monday-night Roundtables

This event has ended
Monday, May 1st, 2023
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Free Event Hands-On/How-To Workshop

Come and listen and talk with people experienced with native plants.  Listen, ask and answer questions. Learn from others with experience; share your experiences with others. Opening night:  Meet our native plants.  

No agenda, no pre-registration.  Just go to: startinyouryard.com and click Monday-night Roundtable to join in.

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May
13

Spring Plant Sale

This event has ended
Saturday, May 13th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Gray Willows Farm, 5 Corron Rd, Campton Hills, IL, 60175 Map

Public Welcome Seed/Plant Sale

Annual public sale will be on 5/13 at Gray Willows Farm in conjunction with Campton Township Open Space. Plants from 6 nurseries will be offered.   Also for sale this year, vegetable starters and herbs by separate vendors.

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June 2023

Jun
17

Tour of two homes in Plainfield

This event has ended
Saturday, June 17th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Two private homes in Plainfield, IL as well as lunch at a park

Public Welcome Free Event Home Garden Tour

We collaborated with Wild Ones of Greater DuPage County to attend the gardens of two private homes.

July 2023

Jul
8

Elgin Garden Spectacular

This event has ended
Saturday, July 8th, 2023
to (Central Time)
I 4 different gardens in Elgin, IL

Public Welcome Free Event Chapter Meeting Home Garden Tour

We had tours of 4 different gardens in Elgin.  

Jul
16

Tour of Wings and Talons

This event has ended
Sunday, July 16th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Springbrook Nature Center , 130 Forest Ave, Itasca, IL, 60143 Map

Public Welcome Free Event Group Tour Free Public Parking

We will tour the Wind and Talons area of rescued raptors that cannot be released into the wild.

Jul
22

Tour of Kathy Morrison and Snuffy's Prairie

This event has ended
Saturday, July 22nd, 2023
to (Central Time)
Kathy Morrison's House and Snuffy's Prairie

Public Welcome Free Event Home Garden Tour Free Public Parking

We toured the gardens of member Kathy Morrison and then drove .6 mile to see Snuffy's Prairie, which is part of Dundee Township Open Space. 

Jul
29

Dragonflies with Cindy Crosby

This event has ended
Saturday, July 29th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Peck Farm, Geneva

Public Welcome Free Event Nature Walk/Hike Free Public Parking

We will have a tour of Peck Farm to look for dragonflies with dragonfly expert Cindy Crosby.

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August 2023

Aug
5

Bee Hunt

This event has ended
Saturday, August 5th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, 3795 Campton Hills Rd, St. Charles, IL, 60175 Map

Public Welcome Free Event Group Tour

Terry Miesle will lead us on a walk to look for native bees.  2 sessions, 9 and 10:30

Aug
12

Prairie Fest, Campton Township

This event has ended
Saturday, August 12th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Corron Farm, 7N761 Corron Rd, St. Charles, IL, 60175 Map

Public Welcome Free Event Free Public Parking

This is the annual prairie fest hosted by Campton Township.  We will have a table there. 

Aug
13

Tour of Rustic Road Farm and garden of member Jean Eakins

This event has ended
Sunday, August 13th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Rustic Road Farm, 1N292 Brundige Rd, Elburn, IL, 60119 Map

Public Welcome Free Event Home Garden Tour Group Tour

We will have a tour of the sustainable farm, Rustic Road, then eat your own sack lunch at Jean Eakin's home across the street (we  provide drinks, chips and cookies.)  Then we will have a tour of Jean's gardens.  Also offered is a chance to do native journaling with member Joette Conger. 

Aug
15

Tour of Dick Young Forest Preserve prairie

This event has ended
Tuesday, August 15th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Dick Young Forest Preserve, 39W115 Main St, Batavia, IL, 60510 Map

Public Welcome Free Event Nature Walk/Hike Free Public Parking

 Walk at Dick Young Forest Preserve with Forest Preserve naturalist Barb McKittrick. We will be touring the restored prairie that is entered on Main Street, not Nelson Lake Road. 39W115 Main Street, Batavia.  Walk will be about 1 hour over level ground.  

Aug
19

Walk at Culver Forest Preserve

This event has ended
Saturday, August 19th, 2023
to (Central Time)
6S496 Hankes Rd, Aurora, IL, 60506 Map

Public Welcome Free Event Nature Walk/Hike Free Public Parking

Walk at Culver Forest Preserve.  6S496 Hankes Road, Sugar Grove, IL.  Stewards Dale Swanson and Karen Burkhalter and other volunteers just began working here last May.  This a good opportunity to a see a forest preserve where almost no restoration work has been done and how it is accomplished.  Walk about 1 hour, 9 AM  

Aug
24

Walk at Lake Run Forest Preserve

This event has ended
Thursday, August 24th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Lake Run Forest Preserve, 40W255 Tanner Rd, Sugar Grove, IL, 60554 Map

Public Welcome Nature Walk/Hike

 Walk at Lake Run Forest Preserve with steward Jeff Hedrich.  40W255 Tanner Road, N. Aurora.  This forest preserve has been in the process of being restored for almost 4 years by Jeff and volunteers.  See what great things can happen with restoration efforts, both woodland and prairie.

Aug
26

Prairie Walk at Fermilab

This event has ended
Saturday, August 26th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Fermilab, Batavia, IL, 60510 Map

Public Welcome Free Event Group Tour Nature Walk/Hike Free Public Parking

 Enter on Prairie Street off Kirk Road.  You will need a Real ID or a current Passport to enter Fermilab per federal regulations.   (See regulations here: https://get-connected.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REALID-Documents.pdf)

After you enter, proceed to the Lederman Education Center parking lot, and we will walk from there.  Our guide will be Wally Levernier, who has been the lab ecologist at Fermilab since 2018. He is a restoration ecologist and coordinates research projects, conducts invasive species control, collects native seed, conducts plant surveys, leads prescribed burns, as well as many other activities.  Fermilab has 2 remant tallgrass prairie areas, each less than 3 acres. Prairie restoration efforts began in 1975.  Currently, nearly 1000 acres of tallgrass prairie ranging from mesic to wet are being restored. 

Aug
29

Walk at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve

This event has ended
Tuesday, August 29th, 2023
to (Central Time)
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W700 Dean St, St. Charles, IL, 60175 Map

Public Welcome Nature Walk/Hike Free Public Parking

Walk at LeRoy Oaks Forest Preserve with Forest Preserve naturalist Barb McKittrick.  37W700 Dean Street, St. Charles.  This preserve has restored prairies, woodlands, Ferson Creek and a nature center.  Restoration has been ongoing here for quite a while, and it is a beautiful area.  Walk about an hour, 6:30 PM.

September 2023

Sep
9

Walk at Dixie Briggs Fromm Nature Preserve

This event has ended
Saturday, September 9th, 2023
to (Central Time)

Public Welcome Free Event Group Tour Free Public Parking

A tour of a nature preserve in Algonquin, IL, which is part of Dundee Township Open Space.

Sep
28

To See Nature at its best: Timing is Everything

This event has ended
Thursday, September 28th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Campton Township Community Center, 5N082 Old Lafox Rd, Campton Hills, IL, 60175 Map

Public Welcome Free Event Chapter Meeting Free Public Parking

Join us for a wonderful program on our regular meeting day of Thursday, September 28 at 7 PM.  The title of the program is: To see Nature at its best:  Timing is Everything.  Our presenter will be David Schwaegler.  Dr. Schwaegler has had a lifelong interest in nature.  In his early life he was a music educator with a PhD in music from the University of Iowa.  He has been a steward at Lake in the Hills Fen since the 80’s and has taken pictures of natural areas which he has set to music. This is sure to be a memorable experience.   We will be meeting in a new place—Campton Township Community Center, 5N082 Old LaFox Road, St. Charles, IL.  (just a few minutes from downtown Campton Hills/Wasco)

October 2023

Oct
12

"Creating and Managing Landscapes for Native Bees" with Heather Holm

Hosted by Wild Ones National
This event has ended
Thursday, October 12th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

Join Wild Ones Honorary Director Heather Holm as she explores the nesting habitats, life cycles, pollen collection, brood rearing, and general characteristics of some of the most common native bees in eastern North America, while highlighting the pollination of native plants and the mutualism between native plants and native bees.

When creating and managing thriving habitats for native bees, many factors such as seasonal phenology, nesting strategies, and flower preferences must be considered—and with approximately 3,600 species in North America (north of Mexico), there are many unique aspects to keep in mind when managing successful landscapes for bees. 

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Oct
24

Fall Color Walk

This event has ended
Tuesday, October 24th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Burnidge Forest Preserve, 14N035 Coombs Rd, Elgin, IL, 60124 Map

Public Welcome Free Event Home Garden Tour Nature Walk/Hike Free Public Parking Lots of Physical Activity

Take a walk in Burnidge Forest Preserve with Wild Ones member and naturalist Mary Alice Masonick.

Oct
26

The Sex Life of Angiosperms: Everything You Didn't know about Flowers.

This event has ended
Thursday, October 26th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Baker Center--St. Charles Park District, 101 S 2nd St, St. Charles, IL, 60174 Map

Public Welcome Free Event Chapter Meeting Public Restroom Free Public Parking

Be prepared to give flowers a whole new look.  You know you love flowers, but do you know what you are really seeing? With Jack's help we will learn to look more closely at flowers.  Although there are ore thatn 250,000 kinds of flowers in the world, their incredible variety is due mostly to variations in a few  common parts:  sepals, petals, stamens and pistils.  Our goal is how to really look at a flower. 

Oct
28

Fall Color Walk at Hickory Knolls Nature Center

This event has ended
Saturday, October 28th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Hickory Knolls Nature Center, 3795 Campton Hills Rd, St. Charles, IL, 60175 Map

Public Welcome Free Event Nature Walk/Hike Free Public Parking Lots of Physical Activity

Join Wild Ones member and naturalist Pam Otto on a walk at Hickory Knolls Nature Center. 

November 2023

Nov
16

"The Gardener's Guide to Prairie Plants" with Neil Diboll and Hilary Cox

Hosted by Wild Ones National
This event has ended
Thursday, November 16th, 2023
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Will be Recorded Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

Join us for an enlightening webinar featuring authors, Neil Diboll and Hilary Cox, as they present their latest book, "The Gardener’s Guide to Prairie Plants." This comprehensive compendium is a treasure trove of knowledge for gardeners looking to incorporate native prairie plants into their landscapes. Neil and Hilary will delve into the making and application of this essential guide, sharing rich historical and ecological insights about prairie ecosystems, all while showcasing stunning images of prairie flora. 

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December 2023

Dec
3

Holiday Party For Members Members Only

This event has ended
Sunday, December 3rd, 2023
to (Central Time)
Creek Bend Nature Center, 37W700 Dean St, St. Charles, IL, 60175 Map

Members Only Free Event Chapter Social Free Public Parking

This is a holiday party for Wild Ones Greater Kane County members