Chapter Events

Wild Ones Member and chapter Vice President Janet Rasmussen will present a program on the fascinating natural history of milkweeds. For example, did you know that milkweed pollen remains within containers called pollinia until it comes in contact with the stigma of the flower? Only orchids package their pollen in a similar way. In addition, Janet will show us which species are native to Illinois, highlight the diversity of arthropod species that rely on them, and suggest ways of incorporating milkweeds into our home landscape.

Author and photographer Catherine Zimmerman combines her expertise in film-making, horticulture and organic practices to show how meadowscaping can be a beautiful and practical alternative to part or all of our lawns. Experts Michael Nadeau, Larry Weaner, and Neil Diboll bring their wealth of experience to explain in detail site preparation, design, planting, and maintenance. Nationally known writer, speaker, and entomologist Douglas Tallamy explains why these urban meadows bring birds and butterflies. Whether you have only a small sunny area or an acre or more, if you would like to enjoy the visual delights and ecological benefits which come with a meadow/prairie, you will find inspiration and hands-on guidance in this outstanding 60-minute video. Moderated by Mary Jo Adams & Jack Pfaffmann

Cindy Eack, owner of Blooming Gardens Designs, will led a discussion as we explore the benefits of using native plants, low maintenance and sustainable gardening practices. Come and learn about successes and failures, as we continue to move toward creating environmental friendly landscapes. Audience members will be given the opportunity to share their experiences. Topics include: designing with native plants, saving natural resources and the best places to find native plants in central Illinois. Cindy is a landscape designer, who is passionate about native plants and landscapes. She has lived in many different types of homes and climates and each time creates a wildlife friendly landscape. She is an active member and volunteer of Wild Ones (Illinois Prairie Chapter) promoting the preservation and use of native plants in the home landscape. She started Blooming Gardens Design in 2011 as a way to fulfill her lifelong passion of helping homeowners create an environmentally sensitive space for outdoor enjoyment.

Susan Post is an acclaimed author of several books about nature in Illinois, and at this program she will share information from her book Hiking Illinois, and give members suggestions as to her favorite natural areas in Illinois to go and see unusual and/or spectacular wildflower displays. You won't want to miss this one! Susan has been a research biologist for the Illinois Natural History survey since 1978. Through her work, Susan has become well acquainted with the natural areas of Illinois. There are few in the state that have visited and documented the stunning and diverse beauty of Illinois more than Susan and her husband, entomologist and photographer Michael Jeffords. Not only can Sue bring her extensive biological training to describe these natural areas, she brings a distinctive artistic perspective with evocative and poetic descriptions of what she sees and experiences. After hearing her presentation, you won't be able to wait to head out and visit some of these special nature preserves in Illinois.

Renowned author Mariette Nowak will present practical advice based on her book, Birdscaping in the Midwest. Learn how to increase the variety of birds in your yard by growing native plants offering their natural habitat and a yearlong smorgasbord of berries, nuts, seeds and insects. Gardeners can play a vital role in restoring & preserving native communities that support not only birds, but other wildlife including butterflies, bees, and bats. The book will be available for sale and Mariette will be signing books after the presentation.

Bring your camera and join us for an outdoor workshop on photography, presented by Ken Robertson, who has taken thousands of photos of native plants in his lengthy career as a botanist at the University of Illinois. Small groups will head out into the prairie and experiment different ways to shoot the same plant, and get feedback on their results. 

Join us on a tour of urban gardens that are good examples of landscaping with natives and get ideas on what plants to incorporate into your yard. We will begin by touring the swale garden at the Mennonite Church of Normal. This garden was created as a wildlife habitat using native plugs and seeds. From here we will car pool to the garden of Emile and Bonnie Garneau which is a mixed garden with natives and native cultivars, as well as peonies, iris, coneflowers, and hostas. We will then visit the Children's Foundation garden  which was designed and planted by chapter members using all natives. Our last stop will be Tipton Trails at G.E. Road and Airport Rd. Nearly 10 years ago, the Tipton's donated 50 acres to the City of Bloomington for a native Illinois Prairie. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy under the south pavilion at 2401 General Electric Road at the conclusion of the tour.

University of Illinois Extension Entomologist Phil Nixon will present the role that native insects play in our local ecosystems and discuss the habitat needs of various groups of insects. Sometimes it's hard to appreciate insects, but we need to be bringing the good ones into our yards!

Guy Sternberg, international arborist, researcher and Illinois native, has spent his life studying native trees. Some trees thrive while others linger puny and diseased. Often tree failure is due to human error. Learn how to select and plant tough trees in your yard. Besides knowing the specific details of: leaves, flowers, fruit, best seasons, problems, native and adaptive ranges, he will explain why not all trees are planted on Arbor Day and why specific methods for planting and transplanting are essential to the successful life of your tree.

Tour of Starhill Forest Arboretum, Guy and Edie Sternberg?s private research arboretum in Petersburg, IL. We will learn about comparing tree features and planting and caring for trees. We will also see the precise research plots that earned international status. The tour will last around 2 hours during which time we'll be hiking through wooded land on uneven terrain with some hilly areas. Please dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and bring bug spray and water. We are invited to stay and picnic in the arboretum, so be sure to bring your lunch and a chair if you plan to picnic with us. 

Local nursery owner Lee Niepagen will host our group at his greenhouse where he will help us learn the best was to plant native trees and shrubs in the fall.

Join us at 6:00 for a potluck dinner. At 7:00 will hold our annual meeting including the election of officers for 2014. The seed exchange will take place throughout the evening.

For the Potluck

The Board is providing a variety of soups and apple cider
Please bring and side item to share? and you own place setting including a bowl for soup and a cup for beverages

For the Seed Exchange

Bring any native plant seeds you've harvested and willing to share
For small amounts, please place 10-20 seeds in small plastic bags.
For large amounts of seeds, bring in a large bag or jar. We will have small plastic bags for people to place seeds in.
Please provide the common name and if known, species name of the seeds.
Even if you have don't have seeds to contribute you are welcome to take seeds.