Greater DuPage Chapter Events

llinois' wetlands are home to Sandhill Cranes and endangered Whooping Cranes. In the not-so-distant past, both Sandhill Cranes and Whooping Cranes faced near extinction throughout North America as they battled with increasing threats of unregulated hunting and habitat loss. Thanks to widespread conservation efforts, Sandhill Cranes are now one of the most populous crane species in the world and Whooping Crane populations, while still endangered, are slowly growing. Today DuPage County residents see around 20,000 Sandhill Cranes and 80 Whooping Cranes during migration each year! Unfortunately, Whooping Cranes and Sandhill Cranes continue to face threats in Illinois and across their flyway. Join Stephanie Schmidt, Whooping Crane outreach coordinator for the International Crane Foundation, to learn the history of the cranes of Illinois and how you can help safeguard their future. Following this presentation, you will be able to identify Sandhill Cranes and Whooping Cranes, know the history of both crane species, understand the current work crane conservation partners are doing to protect cranes in Illinois and throughout their flyways, and find out how you can be an ambassador for cranes in Illinois as a volunteer and citizen scientist.

A link to the Zoom meeting will be sent out in our newsletter the week of the event. Click here if you are not already subscribed to our newsletter and wish to receive it. If you have any questions on attending, please email [email protected].

Illinois is home to over 50 species of orchids and many are very rare.  Join botanist Chris Benda, aka Illinois Botanizer, as he discusses the natural history of orchids and presents photos of all the species native to Illinois.  You can visit Chris Benda's website at https://illinoisbotanizer.com and his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/illinoisbotanizer.

A link to the Zoom meeting will be sent out in our newsletter the week of the event. Click here if you are not already subscribed to our newsletter and wish to receive it. If you have any questions on attending, please email [email protected].

When you hear "rain garden", does it conjure up visions of standing wet places and open water?  Well, that is typically not a rain garden at all!  Usually, a rain garden is a dry place except after a rain storm.  Simply said, rain gardens are designated at a low, shallow “bowl” in the ground that can receive runoff from your roof, driveway, or sump pump, giving the water just enough time to soak into the ground. 

Rain is a valuable resource. Jim Kleinwachter, Land Preservation Specialist for The Conservation Foundation and manager of the Conservation@Home Program, will present to us why it is a great idea to incorporate a rain garden within your landscape.  Find out the best location in your yard to temporarily use/store the rain water, how a rain garden will beautify your landscape while at the same time benefit wildlife, as it provides habitat and food for birds and pollinators.

We will be meeting in the Community Room of the Glen Ellyn Police Department at 65 S. Park Blvd, Glen Ellyn and the doors will open at 6:30 pm for social time and the meeting will start at 7:00 pm.  Parking is available next to the building.  Parking is not allowed on Park Blvd, but if the parking lot is full, parking is available in the lot just to the north of the Police Department.

Please join us for a leisurely walk at the Meacham Grove Forest Preserve in Bloomingdale, to be followed only 2 1/2 blocks away by a hosted yard tour!

We will assemble at 9 AM and after a short introduction will begin the walk at 9:10 AM.  Our leader will be Steve Windsor, past chapter president, and he will have pre-scouted the trail.  The total length of the trail will be about 1.1 miles, on crushed gravel.

The Meacham Grove FP was designated a Nature Preserve in 2012, and our trail is in a completely forested area.  We will be looking for the Spring ephemeral wildflowers as they bloom and complete their above-ground life cycle before the trees above leaf out.  There will be bloodroot, jack-in-the-pulpit, trout lily and other species.  But what makes this place really special is an abundance of white trillium at the back of our trail.

We should finish the walk by 10:20 AM.  From there we have been invited by one of our Wild Ones member couples to see their yard, which is adjacent to this forest preserve!  They will host us at 10:30 with coffee and pastries from a lovely gazebo deck built with pavers. Their bathroom will also be available to us.

Our hosts are in their second season as homeowners and have already begun adding natives to their yard.  They will share their recent plantings with you, as well as welcome suggestions. Their yard is specially located with a ravine to the back, as well as facing the forest preserve in front.  You will also be able to see their two-stage compost system.  Pavers will give us access to the whole yard!.

A leisurely hike and a hosted yard gathering and time to socialize.  Join us and have your questions about native plants answered by other Wild Ones members.  See you there!

Shoes:  Casual or gym shoes are recommended.  If wearing boots please have them cleaned of any dirt with jumping worm eggs.  The trail is crushed gravel and the yard has pavers.

Two long-time members of DuPage Wild Ones are opening their yards to us on Saturday, May 13.
 
Join us to see what is popping up at this time of year and learn from these experienced native gardeners.
 
Paulus Family
Noon - 1:00pm
The Paulus' front yard features a Fruit Guild, which is an ancient technique where mutually beneficial species are planted around a fruit tree to create a thriving, supportive mini-ecosystem.  The back yard is home to many woodland plants. There are five oak trees on the property.

Whitney Family
1:00pm - 2:00pm
As you approach the Whitney property, which is located on a cul-de-sac, you will notice an island planting created by the Whitneys.  They have a curb prairie, and there are many front yard plantings.  In the rear yard there's a nearby stream which adds to the ambience

The addresses and directions were sent out in the chapter's newsletter.  Email [email protected] if you need the addresses for the tours.

Long-time member of Wild Ones, Jan Smith, has created a native landscape in a public park which has been described as a native plant museum. The Carol Stream Park District has honored Jan by giving the park her name. We have a great opportunity to help with weeding out quack grass and other invasives in this beautiful park and learn about native plants while we work.  Please join us! Jan and other experienced members will be there to help you learn the native plants and the weeds.

Location
1011 Kuhn Rd, Carol Stream, IL 60188 Parking is allowed on streets and at Heritage Presbyterian Church, 965 Kuhn Road. There are no restrooms at JS Park, but about 1 mile east on Lies Road at Hampe Park.

What to Bring 
Water to drink, hat, gloves, sunscreen, insect repellant, planting and weeding tools, and if you are able a container of water for the plants. 

One more session is scheduled on September 9th at 9am. For more information about Jan Smith Park, including photos, click here.

YARD ONE: (10 a.m. to noon)

Jill acquired her nearly-an-acre property almost 4 years ago. Its many berms and borders were full of dead & dying trees and many invasives like buckthorn, honeysuckle, and garlic mustard. She has been removing all of that (along with dreaded landscape fabric!) and planting natives to attract the bees, butterflies, and birds. It is still a work in progress and a big learning curve, but the property has come a long way to being a haven for wildlife.

Come see what has already been done and make suggestions for other improvements. You can also see/ask about the progress of their rain garden, raising Monarchs, raising native solitary bees, composting, vermiculture, and biochar!
 
LUNCH BREAK (noon to 2 p.m.)
Mather Woods, 25032 West Renwick Road, Plainfield

Let's meet at West Picnic Shelter.  It is in close proximity to the parking lot. There are many places to buy food along Route 59 if you don't have a sack lunch. We have picnic shelter reserved until 2 p.m.  After lunch, all are welcome to take a short walk in the woods to see the bridge over Spring Hole Creek, a tributary to the DuPage River.  There are toilets with running water available at this location.

YARD TWO (2 p.m. to 3 p.m.)

Dawn’s yard was originally a corn field. The first year of the gardens began with a base of wood chips and some native plants. The next year, she begged a neighbor for leaves. Then, subsequent years of plentiful spring rains, more leaves and winter snow has resulted in her native gardens with a few “others” mixed in. She is constantly adding new plants and looks forward to getting input on what to do and improve.

Directions to all events will be sent out in our newsletter the week of the event. Click here if you are not already subscribed to our newsletter and wish to receive it. If you have any questions on attending, please email [email protected].

Kevin Collins, a former volunteer of this site, will lead a tour of Bluff Spring Fen. The Fen is an Illinois Nature Preserve located on the East side of Elgin, IL, which contains over 450 native plant species and should be a riot of color in early July.

The preserve is a one-hundred-acre mosaic of gravel hill prairies (Kames), sedge meadows, oak savannas, marshes, mesic prairies, and cold alkaline springs dotting the landscape.

The fen is a rare Illinois gem because of its composite of ecosystems:  prairie, woodland, ponds, streams, and wetlands all in one location.  As part of the Cook County Forest Preserve, this Illinois Nature Preserve is home to a rich diversity of various native plants, amphibians, insects, and birds.

Dress in clothing that will discourage ticks, long pants and socks recommended. There are no restroom facilities.
 
Directions:
Take Illinois Route 59 north to West Bartlett Road, turn left (west) to Gifford Road. Turn right (north) on Gifford and proceed to Bluff City Blvd. Make a left (west) and look for Bluff City Cemetery. Turn left through the main gate and take the road to the bottom of the cemetery (make no turns). There is a small parking lot that will fill quickly. You may park along the cemetery's numerous small roads.

Tour will be led by:
Kath Thomas, Friends of Hinsdale Prairie founder and volunteer steward
Kevin Blair, Bluebird Monitor HP, DuPage County Forest Preserve volunteer 

Hinsdale Prairie is a 2-acre remnant prairie enclosed by Illinois Route 83 on the west and the Village of Hinsdale on the east. On Jackson Street it runs north and south in a rectangle between 8th and 7th Streets. And uniquely, it can be viewed from the suburban sidewalk that defines the eastern edge.

Dr. Robert F. Betz successfully advocated for this prairie's preservation and long-term study with the Village of Hinsdale from the mid-1970s; he studied Hinsdale Prairie's plants and soils, identifying an Illinois endangered species, Lespedeza leptostachya (Prairie Bush Clover), and later welcoming Dr. Marlin Bowles from the Morton Arboretum who in 2000 planted a population of the endangered Asclepias meadii (Mead's Milkweed). Clues were found recently, but these species have not been sighted for many years. 

Dr. Gerould Wilhelm and Dr. Laura Rericha (now Dr. Rericha Anchor) conducted a research visit in the summer of 2015 while researching for their 2017 book, Flora of the Chicago Region. Dr. Wilhelm teaches here often.

The Hinsdale Historical Society has retained a newspaper clipping with chapter founder Pat Armstrong working alongside Betz at HP; Pat can tell us more at this gathering.

The diversity and richness of species at Hinsdale Prairie speaks strongly for advocacy to preserve and protect all remnant prairies especially in Illinois, the Prairie State.

Important details:

Tailgate refreshments will be served. 

Suggested Attire:  Dress in clothing that will discourage ticks so long pants, and socks are highly recommended.  Don't forget a hat and optional reusable bottle filled with your preferred beverage.

There are no restroom facilities.
 
Directions:
Google Maps lists this site just north of 55th Street.
Park on Jackson Street.
Prairie is on S. Jackson Street between 7th and 8th Street.

This is a great opportunity to learn some specific weed identification that you will be able to use in your own yard.

Location
925 Kuhn Rd, Carol Stream, IL 60188
Parking is available at Heritage Presbyterian Church half block south of the park at 965 Kuhn Road.  There are no restroom facilities at Jan Smith Park, but about 1 mile east on Lies Road at Hampe Park.

Suggested Items to Bring 
Your preferred weeding tools such as knife or trowel, spade, pruning shears, hat and gloves, drinking water, sunscreen and if you are able containers of water for the plants.

Come and see the progress we've made since last year!   Our Wild Ones Volunteers have really made a difference, and Jan thanks everyone who has been a part of it. 

For more information about Jan Smith Park, including photos, click here.

We have something different, and interesting, planned for the Wild Ones meeting on Thursday evening on September 21st.  Our guest speaker, Amy Phillips of the Conservation Foundation, will present the topic of the Foundation’s NatureRx Program: The Positive Effect on Humans When We Experience Nature. Getting outdoors has both physical and mental health benefits.
 
Read about the Speaker's Biography!

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. 

Receptivity to natural landscapes is much better than it was 20 years ago, but there are still uninformed neighbors that might complain to City Hall.  Find out how you can reduce the chances of getting a complaint, as well as what to do if it happens.

Three individuals will share their stories of what happened when they received citations from their municipalities.  Pat Armstrong, a pioneer in home natural landscapes, will speak on achieving a positive outcome in an often-negative situation.  Local officials will share their side, and how native plantings are actually encouraged.

We will meet in the Community Room of the Glen Ellyn Police Department 65 S Park Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137.

Location 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. 

How the Exchange Works
Bring your own 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 were available last year. 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. 

Membership Meeting and Elections
All members are welcome to attend our Chapter Membership Meeting, which coincides with the Seed Exchange. We will conduct officer elections between setting out the seeds and everyone collecting them. The meeting will be brief, lasting only about 5 to 10 minutes.

Silent Auction
Contribute to our Silent Auction by donating garden-related items such as books, posters, art objects, garden tools, bird feeders, and more. All auction items should be in good condition and preferably related to native gardening.

Save the date for this enriching and community-focused event. Let's come together to share seeds, gardening insights, and enthusiasm for native plant conservation!

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.