Events

Part of our series on learning about watersheds.

Explore how native gardening can address climate challenges in our next Wild Ones national webinar, “Cultivating Change” with author and activist Lorraine Johnson. Johnson has been researching and writing about environmental issues for three decades. Learn about the pivotal role of gardening as an act of stewardship in the face of climate and ecological challenges. Discover the profound connections between individual gardens and the broader world and learn how these green spaces can serve as catalysts for positive ecological and social change.  Join Wild Ones for a practical and insightful discussion on gardening's positive impact on the environment and our future. 

Virtual registrants will receive a link to watch the talk live as well as a link to the recording. The recording will only be available for a limited time. 

The Agricultural liaison for the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, Michelle Blackburn, will discuss prairie strips and how they will plan to use them on the agricultural land the forest preserve owns.

Part of our series about our local watersheds.

Most of us in Wild Ones know and appreciated the benefits of being in the forest.  Alison Paul, of the Conservation Foundation, will take us deeper to a physiological and psychological excercise called shinrin-yoku:  taking in the forest atmosphere.  The term emerged in Japan in the 1980's.  Its purpose?  Offer an antidote to the tech-boom burnout and to inspire people to reconnect with and protect the forests.  Be prepared to open your senses, lift your mood, and reduce stress and anxiety?

This is the 3rd year we have co-sponsored the Spring Ephemeral Project.  Anyone can log onto iNaturalist and record what they see anywhere in Kane County.

Registration for this event is now closed, and registrants have been emailed about attending. Please contact [email protected] if you have any issues getting in.

This will be a paid event for both in-person and remote viewing. Virtual registrants will receive a link to watch Dr. Kimmerer's talk live as well as a link to the recording. The recording will only be available for a limited time. 

Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
Ecological restoration can be understood as an act of reciprocity, in return for the gifts of the earth. This talk explores the ecological and ethical imperatives of healing the damage we have inflicted on our land and waters. We trace the evolution of restoration philosophy and practice and consider how integration of indigenous knowledge can expand our understanding of restoration from the biophysical to the biocultural. Reciprocal restoration includes not only healing the land but our relationship to land. In healing the land, we are healing ourselves.

Wild Ones is excited to cohost this event with the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh's Earth Week 2024 and the Wild Ones Fox Valley Chapter. 

Part of our series on local watersheds.

Jeff Weiss of the Flint Creek /Spring Creek watershed partnership will discuss the multiple stressors to our rivers, streams and wetlands such as increased pollutant loads from stormwater runoff., altered stream flow, and decreased bank stability.  He will also talk about how community education and collaboration with local municipalities and area environmental/conservation groups is the key to improving water quality, preserving ecosystems and restoring wetlands,prairies and other natural features for current and future generations.  

Spring ephemeral walk as well as celebrate Migratory Bird Day.  Norris Woods will also be inducted into the Old Growth Forest Network.

A spring ephemeral walk at Bluff Spring Fen with Corey Begalka.

Spring ephemeral walk at Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve with steward Kim Haag.

Spring ephemeral walk with Mary Alice Masonick.  (Be sure to enter at the Main Street entrance, not on Nelson Lake Road.)

Spring ephemeral walk with Steward Valerie Blaine. 

Spring ephemeral walk with Mary Ochsenschlager.  Co-sponsored by the Sugar Grove Enhancement Committee.

Spring ephemeral walk with Steward Sue Bohne.

Spring ephemeral walk at the Batavia Wildflower Sanctuary with Steward Sarah Kimber.  

Our 12th annual native plant and shrub sale will be Saturday, May 18 from 9-2.  We accept cash, check and charge.  

Please join us on Saturday, June 8 at 9:30 AM at the home of Sue and Jim Mikowski for a tour of their wonderful gardens.  Jim and Sue have lived in Elburn for 38 years and most of that time had a lush green lawn and cultivar plants purchased at big box stores.  In 2021 they took the plunge, tore out their entire front lawn, enrolled in the Kane County Certified Naturalist program and joined Wild Ones.  They are learning to become better stewards of their property with the front yard being a work-in-progress pollinator garden transitioning into the surrounding woodland.  They are also in the second year of attempting to establish a native plant prairie strip.

We will tour two homes of members on Saturday, July 27.  People need to sign up on Eventbrite for the addresses.  

We will take a tour of Dayton Bluffs Preserve at 8:30.  Be prepared with closed toed hiking shoes, walking stick, water, insect repellant and sunscreen.  Either meet us there at 8:30 or meet at 7:30 at Hickory Knolls if you would like to carpool.  Questions:  contact us at [email protected].

Explore how native plants can enhance biodiversity and support ecosystems in our upcoming Wild Ones national webinar, “Combating the Biodiversity Crisis with Native Plants” featuring Sarah Gray and Coralie Palmer from the Indiana Native Plant Society.

Native plants are essential for maintaining biodiversity as they provide food and shelter for a wide range of wildlife, including pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects. By incorporating native plants into your landscape, you can create a thriving ecosystem that supports local fauna and flora. These plants are well-adapted to local environmental conditions, making them more resilient to climate change and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Attendees will learn how native plants can improve soil health, enhance water retention, and contribute to a more sustainable and vibrant ecosystem.

Sara and Coralie are part of the Indiana Native Plant Society (INPS) Landscaping team, and they have collaborated on diverse projects across Indiana, including native planting schemes for schools, community gardens, the Eiteljorg Museum, and the Humane Society. Their new design for Indianapolis reflects typical sub-divisions in Indiana and considers future climate challenges, such as increased flooding and hotter, drier summers. The design features resilient, native Indiana plants that thrive in local soil conditions and contribute to the ecosystem.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from leading experts in native plants! Participants will gain practical insights into native garden designs and learn how tailored landscaping can support wildlife, promote ecological balance, and help restore natural habitats. 

Naturalist Pam Otto will give us a presentation about bats in general and specifically the bats who live in our area.  We will also go outside to look for bats.  

We will have the opportunity to see the raptors that are housed at the nature center.  Most of them have injuries or are imprinted so cannot be released into the wild.  Our member, Sandi Huckeby, will give us a tour and let us see the raptors up close and personal.  People are welcome to walk the trails at the nature center, which is a part of the Itasca Park District.  

Explore the ecological and aesthetic advantages of hedges and hedgerows in our upcoming Wild Ones national webinar, “The Beauty and Benefits of Hedgerows” with Heather McCargo, founder of Wild Seed Project.

Native hedgerows are diverse plantings of woody plants from shrubs to small trees along with herbaceous groundcovers at their base.  Learn how these low-maintenance and sustainable plantings of shrubs, trees, and groundcovers can enhance biodiversity, provide critical habitats for wildlife, and contribute to climate resilience. Discover practical tips for designing and implementing hedgerows in various landscapes, from farms to urban settings, and understand their role in supporting pollinators, birds, and soil health. 

 You will also learn about Heather McCargo and the Wild Seed Project's latest collaboration with Wild Ones on the new Native Garden Design for Portland, ME. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from a leading expert in native plant restoration and take your landscaping skills to the next level. 

Please join us to hear about the introduction of bison to the Burlington Forest Preserve and the future of the forest preserve, which will be celebrating its 100th year in 2025.

Learn how to use high-density plantings that replicate natural ecosystems in aesthetically pleasing designs, enhancing ecological functions while reducing maintenance efforts in our upcoming Wild One's national webinar, "Matrix Landscape Design" with author, landscape designer, activist, and educator Benjamin Vogt.

Matrix planting is a landscape design approach that mimics natural ecosystems by closely planting and layering compatible perennials and grasses to cover the soil, provide more ecosystem services, and eliminate the need for wood mulch or aggressive weeding.  Join Wild Ones for a webinar to learn how author, educator, and landscape designer Benjamin Vogt applies this approach to create stunning native gardens. Learn the principles behind this method, its ecological benefits, and practical steps to implement matrix planting in your own garden. 

You will also learn about Benjamin's latest collaboration with Wild Ones on the new Native Garden Design for Lincoln, NE. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from a leading voice in natural garden design and take your gardening skills to the next level. Register now to secure your spot! 

We will take a ½ mile walk along the path that was cleared at the east side of the preserve for the 100 year celebration of the forest preserve.  Snacks will be provided.  

Native plants have an incredible ability to adapt to climate extremes, offering sustainable solutions for resilient landscapes. Join Wild Ones and the Native Plant Society of Texas to explore the power of native plants to thrive in challenging conditions.

This event features Christy Ten Eyck, founder of Ten Eyck Landscape Architects. Drawing from her latest Dallas-Fort Worth native garden design, Christy will share insights into designing low-maintenance, ecologically rich spaces that withstand intense climate fluctuations.

Neonicotinoid insecticides, commonly known as “neonics,” have become the most widely used insecticides in the U.S., leading to drastic declines in bees, pollinators, birds, and aquatic ecosystems. In this webinar, Lucas Rhoads, Senior Attorney with NRDC’s Pesticides & Pollinators Team, will share expert insights on how neonics impact our environment and pose serious risks to human health. He’ll delve into the harms associated with neonic-treated seeds, which are a major source of contamination, and explore effective policy advocacy strategies to rein in their widespread use without disrupting farmers or landscapers.

This a a potluck holiday party for our members.  If you did not receive an invitation and are a member, contact us at [email protected].  It is also our annual meeting and election of president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer.