Chapter Events

Douglas Tallamy, noted ecologist and author, will speak in the Astroth Auditorium (in the Astroth Community Education Center) at Heartland Community College in Normal, IL.  His presentation, "Creating Living Landscapes", will focus on how we can restore the full, dynamic vibrancy of nature to our gardens and public spaces.  Dr. Tallamy's talk is sponsored by Illinois Prairie Wild Ones and is free and open to the public. Dr. Tallamy is a widely sought-after speaker.  His presentations, based on decades of studying plant and insect interactions and on bringing pollinators and other beneficial insects, birds and butterflies back to his own suburban plot, have inspired listeners across the country to embark on the same rewarding journey of discovery and renewal.  Dr. Tallamy will explain why the simple act of using native plants, shrubs, and trees in our landscaping will invite the full richness of a living, natural community to follow and why this has countless benefits for us all. Immediately following his presentation, Dr. Tallamy will be happy to sign attendee's personal copies of one or both of his books.   

Program attendees will have the opportunity to win a door-prizes by depositing a ticket into a corresponding prize container before the start of the program.  Winners of door prizes will be announced immediately after the program.

Door Prizes:  

Illinois Prairie Wild Ones - 2 copies of the book "The Living Landscape" by Rick Dark and Doug Tallamy; 2 annual memberships/renewals to Wild Ones

Sugar Grove Nature Center - 1 copy of the book Creating Habitats and Homes for Illinois Wildlife

Ecology Action Center - free rain barrel class

ParkLands Foundation - aluminum water bottle and a car magnet

ISU Horticulture Center - 1 copy of the book The Triumph of Seeds by Thor Hanson

Presenter Bio: Doug Tallamy is a professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, where he has authored numerous publications and has taught Insect Taxonomy, Behavioral Ecology, Humans and Nature, Insect Ecology, and other courses for 36 years. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities. His book Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in our Gardens was published by Timber Press in 2007 and was awarded the 2008 Silver Medal by the Garden Writers' Association. The book The Living Landscape, co-authored with Rick Darke, was published in 2014. Doug is also a regular columnist for garden Design magazine. Among his awards are the Garden Club of America Margaret Douglas Medal for Conservation and the Tom Dodd, Jr. Award of Excellence.  (Click on poster on right to enlarge it).

Presentation Location:  This program will be held at the Astroth Auditorium in the Astroth Community Education Center at Heartland Community College, Normal, IL.  A map of the campus is available here.