Below is a list of links to recordings of events of interest from our chapter and other organizations that took place in 2021.
December 9, 2021 – Wild Ones Presents: “Native Plants, Phytoremediation & Green Infrastructure” by Eric Fuselier, Hosted by Wild Ones – Native Plants, Natural Landscapes
Learn about how native plants and phytoremediation can be used to improve soil, air and water quality by removing or transforming common environmental contaminants found in urban, suburban and rural settings. The concepts and species discussed in this presentation aren’t limited to green infrastructure or large-scale remediation projects: they can be applied to residential, commercial and municipal landscaping projects as well. Learn how to pay attention to surrounding land uses and activities to know how to select species for your next native plant project that will benefit the environment beyond providing habitat for pollinators and wildlife. Topics covered in this presentation will include rain gardens, stormwater management, pesticides, heavy metals, carbon sequestration, outdoor air quality and more!
November 17, 2021 – Author Visit with Doug Tallamy, Hosted by Elmhurst Public Library and Elmhurst Cool Cities Coalition
Join us with Douglas Tallamy, author of our 2021 One Book, One Community read, Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard. Tallamy speaks about his book, the dangerous decline of plant and animal populations, and how we can help solve the problem, starting in our own backyard. Q&A to follow.
November 11, 2021 – DBC Meeting: 21 Years of Breeding Bird Monitoring by the Bird Conservation Network, Hosted by DuPage Birding Club
The November 11th, 2021 meeting of the DuPage Birding Club featured Bob Fisher (with an assist from Eric Secker) taking look at trends from 21 years of breeding bird monitoring data from the Bird Conservation Network (BCN).
November 3, 2021 – Perennial Foods: Less Time in the Field, Less Fuss & More Yield, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
Learn how adding edible perennial plants and food-bearing shrubs and trees to your garden and yard can result in producing more food with less work than annual vegetable and herb gardening. Find out which edible native plants and other edible perennials flourish in the greater Chicagoland area and how these plants benefit wildlife and the ecosystem too.
October 20, 2021 – WASPS: Their Biology, Diversity, and Role as Beneficial Insects & Pollinators of Native Plants, Hosted by Wild Ones – Native Plants, Natural Landscapes
Wild Ones Honorary Director Heather Holm shares from her new book, “WASPS,” which features approximately 150 species of flower-visiting wasps that occur in eastern North America, and the specific native plants and habitat each species depends upon.
October 12, 2021 – Rainwater in Your Yard: What Should You Know, Hosted by Wild Ones of Northern Kane County and the Gail Borden Public Library
Have you ever thought about what happens to rainwater once it hits the ground at your house? What are the effects of the impermeable surfaces installed on our properties, such as lawn, roof, concrete, and asphalt? Are there alternatives we can consider? Why does this topic matter so much? Jessica Mino will address these questions, considering both chemical and mechanical effects and their consequences. She’ll also suggest practical things we can do to make rainwater our friend.
October 10, 2021 – Why We Need to Protect Oak Trees | OAKtober, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
October in Illinois is officially OAKtober, a month-long celebration of oak trees and everything they do for the environment! Join Lea on a walk through an oak woodlands to learn why oak trees are critical to our local ecosystem and what we can do to protect remaining oak woodland remnants.
October 6, 2021 – Illinois 30×30 Coalition, A Conversation about Nature Based Climate Solutions in Illinois, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity estimates that the conservation of 30% of the land and water in the world by 2030 is necessary in order to achieve mitigation goals established under the Paris Climate Agreement. The Biden administration has embraced a national “30×30” goal of conserving 30% of the Nation’s land and water by 2030. What does this actually mean for Illinois? In a state where only 4% of our land and water is under conventional conservation, how do we go about contributing to this national effort and helping Illinois re-establish itself as a leader in conservation? Hear about the efforts of the Illinois 30×30 Coalition and consider lending your voice to help answer some of these questions as well as learn how to advocate for conservation in the coming years.
October 5, 2021 – The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees, Hosted by Wild Ones – Native Plants, Natural Landscapes
Drawing from his book, “The Nature of Oaks” (2021), renowned entomologist Dr. Doug Tallamy offers a month-by-month guide to observing and identifying the growth of oak trees and the living creatures that depend upon oaks for food and shelter. Oaks perform critical ecological functions: they support biodiversity, sequester carbon, stabilize soil, produce high-quality persistent leaf litter ,and promote healthy watersheds. In this program, Dr. Tallamy presents facts, shares stories, and unpacks myths about oaks, inspiring people to plant and protect these vital, majestic and long-lived trees.
September 17, 2021 – Edible and Native Landscape Tour, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
Kyla gives us a full tour of her Conservation@Home certified yard! Learn how she has created a sustainable and edible landscape that feeds her family and supports local nature.
September 14, 2021 – Creating Gardens That Nourish Nature and Their Family | Edible and Sustainable Yard, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
The Muhammads take the saying “Grow Food, Not Lawns” very seriously. In just a year and a half, they have transformed their yard into a sustainable and edible landscape. Complete with raised vegetable beds, a fruit hedge, fruit trees and more, they’ve done much to grow food for their family at home. But they didn’t stop there. They landscape with native plants to feed bees, bird, and butterflies too! Their rain gardens, rain barrels, and impressive drain system manage flooding on their property and conserve precious, clean rainwater to water their new plants.
September 1, 2021 – Garden Refresh Revisited, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
After updating the Clow House native gardens this season, join us to see pictures of the plants in the ground and hear about the challenges we encountered as well as some general do’s and don’ts of planting a native garden.
August 4, 2021 – Magnificent Monarchs, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
There is no more iconic butterfly than the monarch. But this symbol of delicate beauty and grace hides a truly amazing story. Learn about the life cycle of this amazing creature, the fantastic journey they make, and how you can attract them to your yard.
July 28, 2021 – Creating a Butterfly Garden, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
Flashes of orange and yellow flitting among my flowers. How do you bring them to your yard? In this webinar, we will see some examples of native butterflies and find out what native plants will encourage them to visit you, too!
July 22, 2021 – Living Architecture: Green Roofs, Living Walls, and More, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation and DuPage County Stormwater Management
Chicago and its surroundings have long-been leaders in sustainable construction, especially green roofs. This talk will touch on that history, where we are today and where we’re going. IN addition to green roofs and living walls, new an innovative technologies will be introduced, such as BioFiolters and Blue Roofs. The talk will be targeted to both professionals and hobbyists, all are encouraged to join, and will include many photos and diagrams to help illustrated these points.
July 19, 2021 – Honeybees and Beekeeping, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
Learn all about the fascinating lives of honeybees! Professional beekeeper Frank Moriarty of Honey with Style will also discuss the amazing art of beekeeping, how honey is made, and why we need bees!
July 7, 2021 – Landscaping in the Sun, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
Lots of native plants love the sun! Learn how to add lots of native plant color to bright sunny spaces, both dry and wet, and how planting them can help you earn your Conservation@Home certification!
June 23, 2021 – Landscaping with Native Plants, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
Kelsay Shaw, owner of Possibility Place Nursery will talk about how to choose the correct native plants for your yard and how native landscaping can improve the health and vitality of your yard.
June 16, 2021 – Native Plants are Important to Soil Health and Pollinators, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation and DuPage County Stormwater Management
We’ll talk about the importance of native plants to stabilizing banks of streams, rivers and detention basins and why they are important to the natural environment.
June 14, 2021 – Restoring a Woodland | Conservation@Home Stories, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
Susan Van Duyne and Tim Rainey have transformed their woodland property into an oasis for wildlife. After taking out invasive species like buckthorn and garlic mustard, native flowers, trees, and wildlife have returned.
June 9, 2021 – Federally Threatened and Endangered Species of NE Illinois, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
Illinois is home to a rich collection of diverse ecosystems. But not all of our native plants and animals are thriving. In this webinar by Kris Lah of the US Department of Fish and Wildlife, we will explore those plants and animals whose populations are struggling and how you can help them!
June 2, 2021 – Green Exercise – What Is It and Why Does It Matter?, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
Physical activity is critical for wellness – it reduces the health impacts of sedentary behavior, improves mental health, and prevents non-communicable diseases. Green exercise, which adds nature exposure to physical activity, provides additional benefits, including increased motivation for exercise and a sense of well-being. During this ConservationOnline session, Dr. Allison Mitch, PT (DPT) will discuss the research supporting green exercise as well as ideas for personal and professional implementation.
May 26, 2021 – Eco-Friendly Land Management, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
Reduce air, water, and soil pollution with sustainable land management practices. Learn more about Green Guerrilla’s eco-friendly services and how you can apply these methods and techniques to property you manage.
May 24, 2021 – 3 Weeds You Can Eat! | Edible Non-native Plants, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
Get to know a few common, edible weeds in northeastern Illinois: garlic mustard, burdock, and dandelion! You’ll learn how to identify these plants and a few ways to prepare them. Please note!: Whenever you’re foraging, you have to be absolutely sure you have correctly identified the plant before you harvest and eat it. Spend some time researching these plants online or in field guides and confidently identify them in real life a few times because you harvest them as food.
May 19, 2021 – Conservation of Illinois Dragonflies, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation and DuPage County Stormwater Management
The aquatic insect order Odonata includes the dragonflies and damselflies – remarkable insects strongly tied to the wetlands and waterways in which they breed and develop. Their aquatic niches and habitat requirements in northern Illinois are under constant threat from human development which alters the hydrology of the systems upon which they rely. This webinar will provide and overview of their complex life cycle and natural history, consider the specific needs of, and stressors on, local species, evaluate critical areas for conservation within Chicagoland, and offer suggestions for how citizen scientists, private landowners and public agencies can become involved in the monitoring and conservation of these essential creatures.
May 12, 2021 – Made in the Shade: Native Plants for Shady Areas, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
Have shady spots in your yard that make it difficult to grow anything? Join host Jamie Viebach to learn how “thinking like woods” can help you turn a trouble spot into a beautiful native area.
May 7, 2021 – Solving Problems in Your Yard with Rain Barrels, Rain Gardens and Native Plants, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
Do you have issues with standing water in your yard? Do you want to attract more butterflies to your yard? Then this is the webinar to watch. Learn how to create to a habitat for pollinators and fix water issues in your yard with beautiful native plants. This webinar is presented with our Conservation in Our Community partner, Village of Downers Grove.
May 5, 2021 – Singing Insects 101, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
There are over 100 species of crickets, katydids, cicadas and grasshoppers in the Chicago region that have sound displays audible to us. This presentation will describe some of the most common, rare and interesting species, along with conservation concerns, range expansions that probably are the result of climate change, and other relevant topics.
May 3, 2021 – Native Plants for Shade Gardens, Hosted by Barrington Area Library
Many of us have shady areas in our yards, but struggle to know what to plant there. Local expert Peggy Simonsen will share ideas for plantings and layouts for these often overlooked spaces. Program offered in partnership with Chicago Living Corridors.
April 29, 2021 – MPF Webinar: Bicycling with Butterflies with Sara Dykman, Hosted by Missouri Prairie Foundation
In 2017 Sara Dykman became the first person to follow the eastern population of monarch butterflies on their roundtrip, multinational, multigenerational migration. From Mexico to Canada and back, her 10,201 mile adventure,on a beat-up bicycle , was a call to action. “he monarchs need us,” Dykman explained, “they can’t call politicians to demand healthy prairies or rally for native gardens. But we can. We might not be able to fly like butterflies, but we can bike alongside them, and be their voice.”
April 28, 2021 – National Heritage Sites, Operation Pollination, and a Trip Along the I&M Canal, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation and DuPage County Stormwater Management
This two-part program will tell you about the “Operation Pollination” project aimed at restoring pollinator habitat, as well as take you on a trip along the I&M Canal – a National Heritage Area in Chicagoland.
April 23, 2021 – Earth Day Special Webinar: Keeping our Water Healthy: Native Plants and Watersheds Panel, Hosted by Missouri Prairie Foundation
Learn about native plants and water quality from a panel of professionals, Ronda Burnett, Dale Blevins, and Dr. Lisa Shulte Moore, as they break down the steps all of us can take to keep watersheds healthy. The webinar will begin with Stream Teams United’s new educational video, and the panelists, moderated by Stream Teams United Executive Director Mary Culler, will break down how native plants play an important role in clean water for all Missourians.
April 21, 2021 – Doing Your Part for Earth Day, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation and DuPage County Stormwater Management
Find out what you can do to protect water quality by avoiding harmful pesticides and using ecofriendly practices.
April 15, 2021 – Why We Need to Remove Honeysuckle, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
April 15, 2021 – Grow Native! Webinar: Monarch Population Trends, Conservation & Climate Change with Dr. Chip Taylor, Hosted by Missouri Prairie Foundation
Join us to learn the latest news about the status of monarch butterflies and how you can be part of the nationwide effort to conserve monarchs and their breathtaking migration. Dr. Chip Taylor, who has been researching monarchs for decades, will share population trends and how they are affected by climate change. He will also share conservation strategies, including what you can do at home to support North America’s iconic butterfly. The rhythms of life shaped by millions of years of evolution are being challenged and altered by our rapidly changing climate. The connections long established between plants and their pollinators are of particular concern since these interdependencies shape and sustain nearly all terrestrial ecosystems. Our future will be defined by how well we understand and maintain these connections.
April 14, 2021 – Composting 101, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
Learn how you can use kitchen scraps and yard waste to create rich, beautiful compost for use in your garden! We will discuss the different types of compost bins, what goes in them, and how to maintain them. We will also cover worm bins (vermicomposting)!
April 12, 2021 – Rain Barrels and Rain Gardens, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
Keep rain where it falls! In this webinar, you will learn how rain gardens and rain barrels help you conserve water and protect our local streams and rivers. Join The Conservation Foundation’s Jamie Viebach to learn what a rain garden is and how to use one to solve water issues in your yard, as well as how to correctly hook up and use a rain barrel.
April 9, 2021 – Go Native in Your Backyard, Hosted by Barrington Area Library
Environmental Restoration Specialist David Eubanks has restored native ecologies with private landowners, Openlands, Cook County Forest Preserves, the City of Chicago, and the Lincoln Park Conservancy. He’ll share the different requirements of prairie, woodland, and wetland plants, and how to source and maintain the best native wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees for your specific niche. With Q & A at the end.
April 8, 2021 – Rain Gardens and Wetlands, Hosted by Wild Ones of Northern Kane County and the Gail Borden Public Library
Trish Beckjord, landscape architect & native plant specialist, will show how to manage rainfall and wet places with native plants. While you are not likely to have a wetland on your property, you can certainly create a successful rain garden! Doing so will help reduce the amount of rainwater runoff that enters our storm sewer system. This helps protect and improve the quality of our creeks and rivers, and enhances the quality of life of our communities. It also helps attract more butterflies and other pollinators to your home garden. Trish has created her own rain garden at home, and has helped many others understand the features and benefits of these special gardens. She will walk you through the simple how-to and offer more great resources to help! Join us to learn how you too can treat rainwater as a resource in your garden.
April 8, 2021 – DBC Meeting: Great Spring Birding in DuPage County, Hosted by DuPage Birding Club
The April 8th, 2021 meeting of the DuPage Birding Club featured many opportunities for exploring bird life in DuPage County, featuring several club veterans, including our main speaker, John Cebula who discusses the whys and wheres of spring birding. The main presentation begins about 30 minutes into the video.
April 7, 2021 – New Invaders Watch: Who’s Here and Who is Not!, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
Join Tricia Bethke, Forest Pest Outreach Coordinator, for a lively presentation on beetles, borers, flies, and planthoppers that may (or may not) affect the health of your trees, and learn how to monitor and protect trees in your community from invasive pest threats.
April 2, 2021 – Conservation For All Water Issues – Village of Oswego, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
April 1, 2021 – Garden Refresh: Designing a Native Garden, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
If you always wanted to start landscaping with native plants and didn’t know where to start, this is the webinar to watch. Learn how to start designing your own native garden and about beautiful, native plants that will attract pollinators to your garden.
April 1, 2021 – Grow Native! Webinar: Reflections on Urban Native Gardening with Cody Hayo, Hosted by Missouri Prairie Foundation
Cody Hayo will discuss the rewards and challenges of starting and operating a native plant focused landscaping business in an urban area. Cody will highlight case studies over five years in gardens ranging in size from 10 square feet to 10,000 square feet. Cody will break down maintenance costs for homeowners in time and dollars, and installation costs using a professional and in materials only. Cody’s examples of completed projects, including stormwater management garden designs will help homeowners and professionals.
March 30, 2021 – Backyard Trees in the Native Landscape, Hosted by Barrington Area Library
Trees are a critical part of living corridors. They improve our quality of life and provide habitats for numerous organisms. In this webinar, learn about some of the challenges to trees in our region and how your yard can be part of the solution, including picking the right tree for your space and growing it to maturity. Program offered in partnership with Chicago Living Corridors.
March 26, 2021 – Native by Design: Digging in to Your Garden – Part 2, Hosted by Missouri Prairie Foundation
This panel webinar will feature regional native plant experts and enthusiasts fielding your questions about early season garden preparation. Get tips on when and how to clean out your garden, how to amend the soil, how to tell the difference between your native plants and undesirables, how to treat for pests and disease, and more!
March 26, 2021 – Mary Gardiner, Good Garden Bugs: Everything You Need to Know about Beneficial Predatory Insects, Hosted by The Ohio State University Partners for Pollinators
Session 5 of the 2021 Welcome Spring! Authors Speaker Series
March 25, 2021 – Welcome Spring! Olivia Carril, Bees of Eastern North America, Hosted by The Ohio State University Partners for Pollinators
Session 4 of the 2021 Welcome Spring! Authors Speaker Series
March 24, 2021 – Bryan Danforth: The Solitary Bees, Hosted by The Ohio State University Partners for Pollinators
Session 3 of the 2021 Welcome Spring! Authors Speaker Series
March 24, 2021 – Conservation@Home 101, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
Our intro class is back! Learn what Conservation@Home is and how you can use native plants to make your yard a better habitat. Also covered will be rain gardens, rain barrels, and more!
March 23, 2021 – Wasps: Their Biology, Diversity and Role as Beneficial Insects and Pollinators of Native Plants, Hosted by The Ohio State University Partners for Pollinators
Author and Biologist Heather Holm on the amazing world of wasps, from her 2021 book: Wasps: Their Biology, Diversity and Role as Beneficial Insects and Pollinators of Native Plants More resources (including Heather’s stem nesting PDF) here: https://u.osu.edu/certify/springauthors/
March 22, 2021 – Doug Tallamy: The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees, Hosted by The Ohio State University Partners for Pollinators
Session 1 of the 2021 Welcome Spring! Authors Speaker Series
March 18, 2021 – Landscaping with Native Plants, Hosted by Wild Ones of Northern Kane County and the Gail Borden Public Library
Creating gardens with native plants. Karen Sherman, designer of Hawthorne Hill Pollinator Garden and Jean Muntz, native plant gardener, will discuss what to consider and ideas for getting started. Now that you’ve decided to reduce the amount of grass and use more native plants, you may be wondering if this means the yard will need to look like a prairie. We will talk about, and look at ideas for using native plants, trees and shrubs in a way pleasing to your design esthetic. Planting styles, paths, borders, water bowls, dry creek beds, even boulders and stumps can be used to enhance the conditions of your space, no matter the size, while simultaneously providing food, shelter and safe passage to all who share it.
March 17, 2021 – It Starts with a Raindrop: Planning your Rain Garden, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation and DuPage County Stormwater Management
Does your yard flood? Do you have standing water from your sump pump or downspouts? Learn how to locate, design and plant your rain garden to turn your wet problem area into a beautiful space.
March 17, 2021 – Grow Native! Webinar: 10 Easy-To-Grow Spring Edible Native Plants with Nadia Navarrete-Tindall, Hosted by Missouri Prairie Foundation
Nadia will share information on wildflowers, shrubs, and fruit trees that provide food for you! Identification tips will be discussed, growth requirements, when and what to harvest, what to eat, and how to prepare. Nadia will also point out non-native, edible plants that may show up in your garden, as well as “look-alikes” that may be toxic or questionable. Note: This webinar on native edibles is intended as general information only. As with any foods, there is a potential for allergic reactions when consuming native edibles. Always seek the advice of a health professional with any questions about touching or eating any plant matter.
March 11, 2021 – MPF Webinar: Notes from Underground: Ants in the Prairie with Dr. James Trager, Hosted by Missouri Prairie Foundation
Grassland ants all nest underground, but during the growing season, most live nearer and become active at the surface or even above ground level, where the flourish of prairie life is in such vibrant force.
March 10, 2021 – Native Stormwater Best Management Practices that Work Great and Look Good, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
We will look at WHY native plants are used to help filter, cleanse and cool rain run-off; WHERE they are used; and HOW they are maintained. These BMPs look good, work well, are cost effective and help improve our environment. WHAT’s not to like about that!
March 10, 2021 – The Biodynamic Engine That Drives Our Ecosystem, Hosted by Wild Ones of Northern Kane County and the Gail Borden Public Library
Deb Perryman McMullen, Coordinator of Science & Planetarium for U-46 schools, will discuss how native plants help us connect.
March 10, 2021 – Growing Native Plants, Hosted by Wild Ones of Northern Kane County and the Gail Borden Public Library
Rory Klick, experienced gardener, shows how important and beneficial native plants are to our environment and natural landscapes.
March 8, 2021 – The Magic of Healthy Soil, Hosted by Wild Ones of Northern Kane County and the Gail Borden Public Library
Join Dr. Don Wilkin, Associate Professor Emeritus, Natural Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson, to learn what makes healthy soil and why it is magic.
March 3, 2021 – Grow Native! Webinar: Build Your Own Bird Sanctuary with Mitch Leachman, Hosted by Missouri Prairie Foundation
This seminar will discuss how songbirds and hummingbirds can be attracted to landscapes through the use of native plants that furnish insects, seeds, flowers, and fruits for birds. Specific examples of the most versatile and adaptable native woody and herbaceous plants will be included as well as simple gardening practices essential for birds. The session will close with a brief review of resources you can enlist to help on your journey.
March 3, 2021 – Creation of a Native Garden: Beauty, Habitat and Problem Solving Through Design, Hosted by Barrington Area Library
In this case study, Monica Buckley of Red Stem Native Landscapes discusses how a neglected backyard in Morton Grove was redesigned with native plantings that reduced mowing, worked with the natural light and moisture conditions, and drew butterflies and bees. Discover how design solves problems!
February 25, 2021 – Backyard Wildlife: If You Build It, They Will Come, Hosted by Barrington Area Library
A collaboration between Citizens for Conservation and the Barrington Area Library.
Veterinarian, naturalist, photographer, and videographer Stephen Barten has documented myriad birds, twenty species of mammals, and fifteen species of reptiles and amphibians in his own yard, the benefit of replacing buckthorn and other invasives with native plants over the past 25 years.
February 24, 2021 – Biomimicry: Learn from Nature, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
How can we learn from nature to live more sustainably and resiliently? Biomimicry Chicago Network Leader and TCF’s Youth Programs Manager Amy Coffman Phillips will share an introduction to the field of biomimicry, using the solutions nature has already discovered to address our own challenges in today’s societies.
February 19, 2021 – Connecting Community & Native Habitat, Hosted by Wild Ones Twin Cities
Growing a sense of Place: Vicki is the Nokomis Naturescape Stewardship and Outreach Lead. Within all our neighborhoods, there are likely natural amenities that spark a nature connection for the residents. Building on these assets can help generate the “Homegrown National Park” Douglas Tallamy forwarded in “Nature’s Best Hope”. What features in your community encourage more native plantings? This presentation will focus on one southeast Minneapolis community’s twenty-five year history of ongoing habitat projects where one endeavor lead to another and in the process created corridors and in-roads! These ventures are promoted with workshops, plant sales, online presentations and a large celebration. The outreach model for community participation became – demonstrate, educate and celebrate.
February 18, 2021 – Prairie Gardens, Hosted by Wild Ones of Northern Kane County and the Gail Borden Public Library
Jim Kleinwachter, manager of The Conservation Foundation, will show how to get started creating a prairie garden in the sunny part of a yard.
March 16, 2021 – Jumping Worms, the Latest Threat to Our Gardens and Wild Areas, Hosted by Wild Ones Twin Cities
Jumping worms are the latest invasive worm to arrive in Minnesota. They live in the top few inches of soil and alter soil structure and chemistry through their feeding and burrowing behaviors. Found in garden beds, mulch and compost piles they represent a threat to the health of our managed and wild landscapes. This will be an introductory level presentation on how to identify jumping worms, information about their life cycle, early detection and reporting. Prevention will be covered more in April and May, but tips for early detection and primary sources of how these travel is important. Jumping worms are spread through composting, horticulture, landscaping and bait. The overall goal of this project is to characterize the status of the jumping worm invasion in Minnesota.
February 24, 2021 – Grow Native! Webinar: Invasive Plant Q & A with Dr. Quinn Long and Matt Arndt, Hosted by Missouri Prairie Foundation
Invasive, non-native plants threaten native biodiversity and have negative economic impacts for the timber and horticulture production, the outdoor recreation industry, and other sectors. Join invasive plant experts Dr. Quinn Long and Matt Arndt to learn more about many of these plants. Drawing from the Missouri Invasive Plant Task Force’s list of 142 invasive plants in Missouri, they will address why these plants were determined to be invasive, why some plants can be invasive in some situations, but not others, and other invasive plants not on the list.
February 17, 2021 – Improving Soil Naturally, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation and DuPage County Stormwater Management
Learn how to improve the health of your plants organically and avoid using chemicals and fertilizers on your lawn and plants. Speaker: Richard Hentschel, Extension Educator Horticulture, DuPage/Kane/Kendall Counties, St. Charles, Illinois.
February 10, 2021 – Winter Bird-Watching at Home, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
Not all birds fly south for the winter. For some birds, this is “south”! Today, we’ll check out some frequent winter visitors to our bird feeders and talk about feeding strategies to get more winter birds to your feeders.
February 10, 2021 – Woodland Gardens, Hosted by Wild Ones of Northern Kane County and the Gail Borden Public Library
Valerie Blaine, Naturalist at Kane County, will show how to get started creating a woodland garden in the shady part of a yard. If you’re considering planting native plants in a shady portion of your landscape – or if you have woodland on your property — you’ll want to learn more about the woodland plants that thrive here. Some of our most beautiful early spring flowers grow in the shade of taller plants and trees. There are also grasses and sedges, ground-covers — and plants that bloom in a variety of colors — that grow easily in shaded areas. Our presenter, Valerie Blaine, has a yard in a forest. So in addition to her broad and deep professional background, she has first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to live with these lovely natives. Valerie will share her knowledge of how to plant and maintain a shady section of your yard, and how to work with your existing woodland.
February 8, 2021 – Invasive Plants, Hosted by Wild Ones of Northern Kane County and the Gail Borden Public Library
Corey Begalka, Zoologist, Naturalist and Restoration Specialist shows what invasive plants are and what to do about them before gardening season starts. If you’re thinking about how you might alter your landscaping, one issue that will pop up is how to deal with invasive exotic plants. Who are these backyard bullies? Why should we care? How do they make a difference? Corey will guide you through the whats, whys and hows of plants that are non-native and invasive in our area and address their impact on our ecosystem. He will identify some of the major culprits and what we can do about them. Whether in your own backyard, your local park or forest preserves, invasive plants continue to change the quality and health of our native plant communities.
February 6, 2021 – Getting Started with Native Gardening, Hosted by Wild Ones of Northern Kane County and the Gail Borden Public Library
If you’ve decided to add native plants to your landscape – or if you’re considering – it will be helpful to know some basics. Mary Alice will present information that can ease your transition into this powerful way of gardening. For example, how do you buy native plants? What do you need to bear in mind in making choices? What equipment do you need? What terminology will you encounter? What can you expect to be different when gardening with natives? By attending this session, you can learn from an experienced native gardener how to choose and prepare a site, which plants to use, where to get them, and how to care for them.
February 4, 2021 – Native by Design: Digging in to 2021 with Your Garden Plan, Hosted by Missouri Prairie Foundation
Join regional native plant experts and enthusiasts for a Q&A Workshop about planning your native garden. Get tips on how to lay out your garden, where to source plants, what to plant and when, and more! Speakers: Scott Moss (moderator), Christine Favilla, Charlie Pitts, Sarah Vogt and Trevor Bennett. Hosted by the Grow Native! Southwest Illinois Event Committee.
February 3, 2021 – Tackling Plastic Pollution in the Chicago Region, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
Leveraging the power of collective action, Shedd Aquarium is working with policymakers, restaurants, school and scout groups, community leaders and many others to reduce dependency on single-use plastic and tackle plastic pollution from every angle. Learn more about the problem of plastic pollution in the Chicago region and the Great Lakes, Shedd’s efforts to advance smart solutions, and ways you can take action today.
February 3, 2021 – MPF Webinar: Grassland Amphibians and Reptiles with Brian Edmond, Hosted by Missouri Prairie Foundation
Learn about the frogs, snakes, turtles, and other amphibians and reptiles that depend on grassland habitat, including prairies, to survive. Brian Edmond is an MPF board member. Trained in both information technology and wildlife biology, Brian works at Missouri State University and devotes most of his non-working hours in service to MPF and other conservation groups, and documenting native plant and animal life on his rural property and wild areas throughout Missouri.
January 29, 2021 – Debra Knapke: Eco-Conscious Gardening: From Concept to Design, Hosted by The Ohio State University Partners for Pollinators
Every age has its catchphrases. Today’s gardens are shaped by goals such as sustainable, regenerative, and eco-conscious. We are becoming increasingly sensitive to our impact on the earth and its inhabitants as we confront issues such as air and water pollution, soil degradation, and climate change. There is power in creating gardens that are based on ecological models, especially if they exist – or can exist – on your site. What are these ecological models? Join Debra Knapke as she outlines the process of understanding and then creating an eco-conscious garden. Eco-Conscious Gardening Notes Chat transcript from webinar Debra the Garden Sage website Books by Debra Knapke Recommended reading
January 28, 2021 – 2021 Environmental Summit: Using Nature to Improve Mental Health, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
Discover the impact nature has on our physical and mental health through programs, research and healing natural environments. Experts in their fields discuss and demonstrate what they are learning about the benefits of people interacting with nature.
January 27, 2021 – Little Campus on the Prairie, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
The history and maintenance of prairie and other natural area habitat on the campus of College of DuPage. In this talk, we will dive into the fascinating regional history of ecological restoration and prairie management at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Also included in this talk will be some tips and tricks for maintaining a ‘native’ plant habitat at home. You won’t want to miss it!
January 27, 2021 – I Saw A Bird with Audubon: Episode 16, Hosted by National Audubon Society
Welcome back to the first “I Saw A Bird” episode of 2021! Kicking things off is conservation and wildlife photographer, Faraaz Abdool, previewing his new book “Casual Birding in Trinidad & Tobago.” Then, for those who added birding to their list of new year’s resolutions, we have Tania Romero from the Audubon Center at Debs Park to guide us through some Birding 101 tips. And finally, with the launch of the 2021 Audubon Photography Awards, we take a deep dive into bird photography with grand prize winner Joanna Lentini and remember some of our favorite award-winning photos.
January 27, 2021 – Grow Native! Webinar: Designing with Native Plants with Ronda Burnett, Hosted by Missouri Prairie Foundation
This webinar will cover the basics of selecting native plants for your next project. Design themes, site programming, and maintenance needs will be considered along with physical site conditions, plant availability, and green infrastructure services. An overview of art and design principles will be included to help the audience visualize how native plants can be used to achieve any look in the developed landscape. Ronda Burnett has been a Community Conservation Planner with the Missouri Department of Conservation since 2005. She helps communities connect to nature and enjoy the enhanced quality of life made possible by healthy fish, forest, and wildlife resources. She currently serves as the Chair of the Grow Native! committee. Ronda holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Louisiana State University and a Master of Urban, Environmental, and Land Use Planning from the University of Kansas.
January 22, 2021 – Marne Titchenell: Enhancing Your Landscape for Birds and Other Wildlife, Hosted by The Ohio State University Partners for Pollinators
Songbirds, butterflies and other wildlife bring a dynamic joy to the landscape, especially in challenging times. Marne will discuss creating habitat for birds and other creatures, including use of bird feeders, bird baths, and nest boxes (bluebirds, wrens, chickadees). She will highlight favorite bird- and pollinator-friendly plants, the importance of adding dead wood to the landscape, plus how to best configure resources for garden visitors. Birds and other wildlife handout PDF Marne’s suggested reading
January 21, 2021 – Citizen Science at Home: iNaturalist and Wikipedia, Hosted by Greater DuPage Wild Ones
Peter Chen, a retired genetics researcher, software engineer, science educator at College of DuPage and long time Wild Ones member, focuses on two web sites : iNaturalist and Wikipedia – including the Wikipedia page for Wild Ones.
January 18, 2021 – 50 Ways to Improve Habitat in Your Yard, Hosted by Barrington Area Library
Native shrubs provide year-round beauty as well as food and nesting habitat for birds and pollinators. Join Sarah Michehl from The Land Conservancy of McHenry County for some favorite native shrubs appropriate for the home landscape, in partnership with Chicago Area Living Corridor Alliance (CALCA). Foundation plantings, privacy hedgerows, and species to feature will be covered.
January 15, 2021 – Doug Tallamy: Restoring Nature’s Relationships at Home, Hosted by The Ohio State University Partners for Pollinators
Specialized relationships between animals and plants are the norm in nature rather than the exception. It is specialized relationships that provide our birds with insects and berries, that disperse our bloodroot seeds, that pollinate our goldenrod, and so on. Plants that evolved in concert with local animals provide for their needs better than plants that evolved elsewhere. Tallamy will explain why this is so, why specialized food relationships determine the stability and complexity of the local food webs that support animal diversity, why our yards and gardens are essential parts of the ecosystems that sustain us, and how we can use our landscapes to connect the isolated habitat fragments around us. It is time to create landscapes that enhance local ecosystems rather than degrade them.
January 14, 2021 – Native Shrubs for the Home Landscape, Hosted by Barrington Area Library
Native shrubs provide year-round beauty as well as food and nesting habitat for birds and pollinators. Join Sarah Michehl from The Land Conservancy of McHenry County for some favorite native shrubs appropriate for the home landscape, in partnership with Chicago Area Living Corridor Alliance (CALCA). Foundation plantings, privacy hedgerows, and species to feature will be covered.
January 13, 2021 – What’s Your Landscape Style?, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
What is your landscape style? Are your formal, natural, organized or in complete chaos? Join us to find out what your landscape style is, how to create it, and how to give your gardens that extra perspective!
January 6, 2021 – Mushrooms at Home, Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
There’s a fungus among us! Do you have mushrooms growing in your yard? Do you want them? And more importantly, can you eat them? Learn to recognize common mushrooms you might find around your yard and even how you can have the fun of growing mushrooms at home!