Greater DuPage Chapter Events

Even after reading books and attending talks, many still have pressing questions about ecological landscaping. In this talk, Tallamy addresses common concerns on biodiversity, invasive species, native plants, and conservation strategies, providing practical guidance and motivation to restore nature in everyday spaces. 

Glen Ellyn Police Department Community Room
65 S Park Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137. MAP

There is more to growing native plants from seed than just sticking the seed in the ground.  Come and learn what the pros do. This meeting will be in-person and will not be recorded.  No registration is required, but late-comers may have to stand in the back.

Presenters:

Collecting Seed - Pat Armstrong
Growing Seed - Bruce Blake

The Growing Place
2000 Montgomery Road
Aurora, Il 60542 
(Approximately 1/2 mile north of Ogden Ave. on Montgomery Road. Enter thru front gate and park in retail parking lots.)

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
1:30 pm - 1:45 pm: Arrival and Set-up
Tables will be organized and labeled by seed type (Woodland, Prairie, Wetland, Savanna). Hand your seeds to our volunteers to place them in the appropriate category, then please stand apart from the tables (outside, if it is nice), and visit with other attendees until we are ready to start the meeting portion of the day.
1:45 pm - 2:00 pm: Membership Meeting and Elections
All members are invited to attend our Chapter Membership Meeting, which will coincide with the Seed Exchange. Officer elections will take place during this time, between setting out the seeds and the start of the exchange. The meeting will be brief, lasting about 10 minutes.
2:00pm - 3:00 pm: Seed "Shopping" and Silent Auction
Explore the variety of seeds available for exchange, and don't forget to check out our Silent Auction!

How the Exchange Works
Bring your own native harvested seeds to the Seed Exchange and trade them with fellow enthusiasts. Don't worry if you don't have seeds to trade; you can make a donation in exchange for seeds. Click here to see a list of seeds that are typically available. 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 in order to prevent the spread of jumping worms.

Discover the power of ecological garden design in this free national webinar, Living in the Liberated Landscape: My Yard, with award-winning landscape designer Larry Weaner. Join us for a personal look at how dynamic, self-sustaining landscapes can emerge when we partner with nature instead of controlling it. Drawing on more than 35 years of experience, Larry will share practical strategies for designing dynamic gardens that evolve naturally, support biodiversity, and bring lasting beauty to your yard.

Designing with native plants isn’t just about what you grow, it’s about how you shape your space. In this hands-on workshop, Zoe Evans (Plan it Wild) and Heather Evans (Design Your Wild) guide you through the process of creating a cohesive yard plan that supports both your lifestyle and biodiversity.

Details coming soon! 

Join us at Wild Things 2026 for an exciting lineup of workshops, presentations, and sessions from regional and national experts, plus meet & greets, video content, exhibitors, sponsors, and more! 

Details coming soon! This will be a paid webinar with all proceeds supporting the Seeds for Education Program. 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon!