Greater DuPage Chapter Events

Presented by Cindy Crosby
 
Enjoy the delights of the tallgrass prairie in winter through this interactive program. Enjoy lovely photography of the snow-covered prairie as you hear stories of how animals, pollinators, and birds use the prairie for overwintering. Discover what prairie plants look great in winter, in terms of structure, seeds, and even color. Listening to prairie readings will spark your creativity and warm your soul.

Please register for this FREE Event through EVENTBRITE!  The ZOOM link will be sent about a week prior to the meeting.

Follow these interesting websites with more information of what Cindy Crosby has been doing!
https://www.dupageforest.org/catching-nature/cindy-crosby
https://cindycrosby.com/

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. 

Our special guest speaker will be Mr. Chris Evans, Forestry Extension and Research Specialist, University of Illinois.  He is based at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center in Southern Illinois.  Chris is a popular speaker on topics of Forestry, Natural Resources, and the Environment. 

This meeting is free and does not require registration. A link to the Zoom meeting will be sent out in our newsletter a few days prior to the meeting. 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].

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. 

Our March 21st meeting will be a panel of long-time members answering your questions and offering their best advice.  

Do you have a problem area? 
Are you wondering how to get started? 
Is there a plant you are wondering about? 

Send in your questions to [email protected]. Submitting questions ahead of time will help us prepare, but questions can be asked during the meeting, too.

The link to the Zoom meeting was sent out in our March newsletter.  If you did not receive it and would like to attend please email [email protected].

Doors open at 6:00 PM
Dinner starts at 6:30 PM 

Bring a dish to share!  Please bring your own drinks and place servings.  A short presentation on Periodical Cicadas presented by Nanette Kalscheur will follow the dinner. It will cover cicada life cycle, timing for DuPage County, and what people can do once the cicadas emerge.

Nanette has some free native trees & shrub seedlings to share with members. They will be given away bare root, wrapped in damp newspaper & are approximately 2-4 years old.  All were grown from seed.  Plants will only be available at the Pot Luck Thursday, April 18th.

Trees
Horse Chestnut - 6-10” tall, 2 available
Kentucky Coffee - 1-2’ tall, 4 available
Swamp White Oak - 6” tall, 4 available

Shrubs
Carolina Allspice - 1-2’ tall, 4-5 available

Pat will take us on a walk to view 2 special restoration projects at Lyman Woods completed by Eagle Scout, Shreeman Patel. Shreemann Patel is an Eagle Scout from Troop #10 Hinsdale, based out of the Union Church of Hinsdale. 

The first project, the Pollinator Garden, was built from August to September of 2023, and consists of many different regions aimed at helping all of the pollinators, not just the already popular ones like the butterflies and bees. There is a region for hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, moths, and even flies. The "general pollinator" regions also included some plants helpful to bats.  The garden helps showcase the importance of these bees in our day-to-day lives, especially the direct impact they have on our food.  There are also informative signs placed throughout, letting visitors know which pollinators are being benefitted, and which native flowers are planted in the region.  The project took just under 300 labor hours and just under $3,000 to complete.  Click here for more information on this project. 

The second project is the Pond Restoration Project. Prior to the project, the site suffered from intense soil erosion and water pollution, primarily due to three water pipes feeding into it. These pipes carried phosphorus and other potentially harmful chemicals from nearby residences, especially from the Midwestern University Parking Garage. The pond was surrounded by invasive buckthorn and a bit of invasive honeysuckle. Shreeman's team worked on removing them, while Lyman Woods sprayed the stumps with herbicide. They created sand filters to improve the water quality entering through the pipes, promoting self-regeneration over time. On one of the final days of the project, Shreeman noticed a slight film on the pond's surface, along with an algal bloom, leading him to suspect blue-green algae. To be cautious, he and his team removed much of the algal bloom and prescribed long-term barley treatment for the pond to naturally regenerate. Additionally, they installed a solar-powered pond aerator to keep the water moving and prevent further algal blooms, while also improving conditions for wildlife. This project required 290 labor hours. Shreeman spent approximately $600 on the project, with Lyman Woods contributing additional funds for plants and other resources. Click here for more information on this project. 

Named for Judge Win Knoch and his wife Irene who once owned the land, the 236+-acre park has over 5 miles of trails, a Nature Center and lots of interpretive signs. We will be walking through oak-maple forests with many lovely wild flowers to visit the Confluence where the East and West Branches of the DuPage River join before heading to the Des Plaines and finally the Mississippi River.
  
Knock Knolls Park is located in southeast Naperville, south of 87th Street. Avoid going through downtown Naperville on Washington Street due to re-construction of the Bridge there. From south Washington Street turn west onto Ring Road and then immediately turn southwest on Knoch Knolls Road and go a little more than 1/2 a mile. You will pass the Conservation Foundation headquarters on your right and come to the park on your left. Park in the west part of the parking lot and we will meet at the Council Ring on the south side of the parking lot at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2024. 

Click here for the trail map.

We have something special planned for this official Pollinator Activity.  There will be three pollinator-friendly sites open to view (in any order) from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.  All three locations will close and a fourth location will open at 3:00pm.  At each location, visitors will receive a raffle ticket.  There will be a drawing at 4:00pm, and lucky winners will receive plugs of native plants! 

Open between 1:00 and 3:00  (all locations are in Lombard):
19w141 Rochdale Circle - This 1 acre property in Lombard is in year two of a natural areas restoration project emphasizing pollinator plants and oak trees. Hundreds of invasive trees and countless invasive plants have been removed and native seeds, plants and trees have replaced them - with all of the work being done by the homeowners themselves.
355 E Parkside Ave, Shelden Park Historic Homestead - The grounds in front of “The Oldest Home in Lombard” was planted by the Lombard Garden Club.  The parking lot is not large, so park on Grace Street or find parking in the aquatics area or library east of Grace Street.
309 S Stewart Ave - This (mostly) traditional garden is slowly being changed from turf to garden beds with native perennials.  Over the past three years, approximately 600 square feet has been converted, with the most recent being the parkway.  The homeowner has a mix of natives and non-natives and has intentionally used a majority of native plants since 2021.

Open 3:00 to 5:00:
704 S Charlotte Street - A feast for the senses!  This yard was converted from lawn grass to an amazing array of areas that show rain water management, prairie and savannah plants, and a pond.  Very pollinator-friendly, with an emphasis on Monarch-friendly.

The raffle prizes are graciously donated by Prairie Winds Native Plants.

Click here to view all the pollinator activities hosted by the DuPage Monarch Project to celebrate Pollinator Week.

Visit Jan Smith's pollinator gardens at Windsor Park in Carol Stream! 

Directions:
Enter Windsor Park Drive from North Avenue (Route 64) at the traffic light 
Follow Windsor Park Drive through the gate to the STOP sign.  
Park in the visitor parking to the right of the stop sign.
Gather at the Lakeside Terrace which is east of the parking lot.
Enjoy the Swan Family on Ashford Pond.
Jan will give an introductory talk at 10 a.m., then guide us to see her native gardens.

Plant ecologist Scott Kobal of the DuPage County Forest Preserve District will be our presenter and tour guide for the Brewster Creek Nature Preserve in Pratt Wayne Woods Forest Preserve. Rubber boots for this walk is a suggested attire since we will be near water and there is a possibility that the trail may be wet. Insect repellant is highly recommended.

The main entrance to Pratt's Wayne Woods is located on the west side of Powis Road approximately ¾ mile north of Army Trail Road and ¼ mile south of Stearns Road.  Powis Road is located approximately 1.75 miles west of Route 59.

Detailed Directions:  Enter the preserve from Powis Road and follow the roadway (north) to the farthest parking area.  This parking area is where we will meet.  We will walk the trail to the Brewster Creek Marsh. Click here for a map showing the location of the preserve, where to meet, and geography of the trail. Click here for more information on Brewster Creek Marsh. 

Scott Kobal is the Plant Ecologist with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, where he has been monitoring and assessing Forest Preserve lands and plant communities since 1990. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in wildlife management and has been teaching classes on plants and ecology at The Morton Arboretum since 2000.

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. 

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. 

Save the Date!

Matt Hokanson of Woods to Wetlands will present on Native Garden Design. More details coming soon!

Join local historian and Wild Ones member Mary Lou Wehrli on World Gratitude Day for an exterior tour of the Greene Homestead: Oak Cottage and Barn. Hear tales remembered by the stately bur oaks and walnut trees. Step into the story of the Hobson Oak, a neighbor tree across Hobson Road that lives a second life. Feel the presence of Potawatomi, farmers, families, hikers and bikers. Imagine a future of open interior doors to Oak Cottage and the Barn and the East Branch of the DuPage River - a native landscape of education, social gathering, canoes & kayaks, creativity, solar energy, gentle breezes and hope. Add your 2¢ to the possibilities of adaptive re-use!

The event will take place rain or shine. Bring your own everything picnic. Enter off Greene Road and drive to the north end of the parking lot. It's a short walk to Oak Cottage and Barn and the Wild Ones reserved picnic shelter.

Click here for more information about Greene Valley Forest Preserve and click here for a map which shows the location of Oak Cottage.

Our October meeting will be held at the Lyman Woods Nature Center.  Wing and Talons is an organization that educates the public about the importance of our native birds-of-prey and the challenges they face.  They will bring several of the birds in their care to the meeting.  This is an in-person meeting. We highly encourage for everyone to meet these magnificent birds up close, and to learn what we can do to help them.  See you there!

Note:  Lyman Woods Nature Center is located at 901 31st Street in Downers Grove on the corner of 31st & Highland Ave just south of the EW 88 tollway. 

Save the Date! More details coming soon!

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!