Chapter Events

Hold the date, details in member newsletter and emails.

The closing event of this year’s Less Lawn More Life Challenge, will be led by Lisa Olsen, Chapter Liaison at Wild Ones. In this webinar, you’ll learn how small, personal actions like planting native species and removing invasives, can ripple outward to inspire neighbors, change policies, and reshape communities. 

During the premiere, native plant experts from Wild Ones and collaborating organizations will be active in the live chat. They’ll be ready to answer questions, share tips, and connect viewers with resources. The live chat will remain open for 30 minutes after the webinar, giving you plenty of time to ask questions and engage. Please note: You must be logged into a YouTube account to participate in the chat. 

The Less Lawn More Life Challenge is a free, 12-week action series designed to help people transform traditional lawns into vibrant, life-supporting native plant habitat. Each week, participants complete a simple challenge like planting a native shrub, removing invasives, or observing pollinators to reimagine their outdoor space and take meaningful steps toward restoring biodiversity at home. 

It’s not too late to get involved. Catch up on the weekly videos and start your rewilding journey today at https://www.lesslawnmorelife.com/ 

Details TBA to chapter members.

Regular Monthly Board Meeting

Note: This program will be presented both in-person and by livestream.  The link to join the livestream will be posted here closer to the program date.  A recording of the program will be available on our YouTube channel.
******

Native plants are becoming the superstars of our home landscapes but many of us are less familiar with these plants in the built environment.  Join Illinois Extension Educator, Ryan Pankau, for a presentation focused on the use of native trees and shrubs in landscaping.  Ryan will review the challenges that urban environment presents to natives and discuss how you can properly site and care for these spectacular plants on your property.  His presentation will include trees and shrubs offered in chapter's “Fall Tree & Shrub Sale” for chapter members, as well as other native species that are popular in the horticulture industry.

Presenter Bio:

Ryan has over two decades of experience as a forester and arborist, building his lifelong love of trees into the career he enjoys today.  He has experience with forest restoration and management as well as care of individual trees in the urban setting.  In recent years, Ryan has focused on integrating the concepts of ecology into the management of plants in the built environment to create more resilient landscapes that better support the native flora and fauna of Illinois.

Hold the date, details in member newsletter and emails.

Hold the date, details in member newsletter and emails.

Regular Monthly Board Meeting

Note: This program will be presented both in-person and by livestream.  The link to join the livestream will be posted here closer to the program date.  A recording of the program will be available on our YouTube channel.

------

Could “prairiekeeping” become a more irresistible trend than beekeeping? Restoring and recreating prairies and pollinator gardens involves a ritual of fun, uplifting activities. Seed gathering in particular, is an exceedingly fun way to enjoy the autumn outdoors. Learn details about how and when to collect seeds as well as information about processing, storage, and best use of collected seeds. Find out about Project Wingspan, Pollinator Partnership’s statewide initiative that partners prairies with local seed collection networks to gather seeds for redistribution among local pollinator habitat projects.

Presenter Bio:

Eleanor Schumacher is an Illinois pollination ecologist serving as the state coordinator of Pollinator Partnership’s Illinois Project Wingspan since 2021. She also works as an Illinois Department of Agriculture apiary inspector since 2010. Fascinated by the correlation between pollinator habitat quality and bee health, she pursued studies in pollination ecology, receiving a Master’s Degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from University of Illinois in 2018. 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon! 

Regular Monthly Board Meeting

Annual Reports will be presented to the membership for 2025.  The election of officers for 2026 will be held.  After the meeting, members will participate in a seed exchange.

Details coming soon!