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January 2023
Starting Native Plants from Seed
Fremont Public Library, 1170 N Midlothian Rd, Mundelein, IL, 60060 Map
Live Stream Available
Public Welcome Family Friendly Limited Access Recording Free Event Chapter Meeting Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Drinking Fountains
Plant propagation from seed is an inexpensive way to provide an annual supply of native plants for home landscapes. By growing your native plants from seed, you help preserve genetic diversity of the species, which helps create more resilient plant communities.
The experience of native seed starting is an enjoyable and rewarding experience but can be challenging too, until you know the tricks to sparking germination.
February 2023
Illinois Native Pollinators
Fremont Public Library, 1170 N Midlothian Rd, Mundelein, IL, 60060 Map
Live Stream Available
Public Welcome Family Friendly Will be Recorded Free Event Chapter Meeting Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Drinking Fountains
This presentation focuses on making plant choices with our native pollinators in mind. Presenter will discuss our native bees, butterflies, wasps, and other pollinators that are under serious threat from a variety of stress factors causing an unceasing decline in their populations. Learn of our pollinators’ importance to biodiversity and about the plants that attract them and why. Find out how a little effort on our part can go a long way for pollinators and our ecosystem while also providing you with beauty and enjoyment.
March 2023
Cranes Over Illinois
Fremont Public Library, 1170 N Midlothian Rd, Mundelein, IL, 60060 Map
Live Stream Available
Public Welcome Family Friendly Will be Recorded Free Event Chapter Meeting Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Drinking Fountains
Illinois is home to the Sandhill Crane and the endangered Whooping Crane. The history, habitats and threats these cranes face will be discussed. We will also learn how the crane conservation partners are helping out these magnificent birds.
April 2023
Seasonal Color with Native Plants
Fremont Public Library, 1170 N Midlothian Rd, Mundelein, IL, 60060 Map
Live Stream Available
Public Welcome Family Friendly Will be Recorded Limited Access Recording Free Event Chapter Meeting Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Drinking Fountains
Many plants can add a pop of color to every season. It's essential to plant across all seasons not just for colors but also to keep your garden and the miniature ecosystems in your backyard healthy and thriving year-round. Find out about some of the favorite spring ephemerals and summer staples in the native plant world, along with underrated fall foliage favorites and essential winter warriors.
May 2023
Adventures in Bumble Bee-holding
Fremont Public Library, 1170 N Midlothian Rd, Mundelein, IL, 60060 Map
Live Stream Available
Public Welcome Family Friendly Limited Access Recording Free Event Chapter Meeting Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Drinking Fountains
Our presenter will introduce us to a variety of bumble bee species which includes the once common, but now endangered Rusty-patched bumble bee. The program will cover the challenges bumble bees are facing, the important role they play in a healthy ecosystem, and the action steps people can take to transition their community into a more hospitable and welcoming place for all pollinators.
June 2023
Babbling Brooks - What are they trying to tell us?
Fremont Public Library, 1170 North Midlothian Road, Mundelein, IL, 60060 Map
Live Stream Available
Public Welcome Family Friendly Will be Recorded Limited Access Recording Free Event Chapter Meeting Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Drinking Fountains
Jeff Weiss, of the Flint Creek/Spring Creek Watershed Partnership will discus the multiple stressors to our rivers, streams and wetlands and how community education and collaboration with local municipalities and area environmental/conservation groups is fundamental to improving water quality, preserving ecosystems and restoring wetlands, prairies and other natural features for current and future generations.
July 2023
How Fungi Helped Shape the Midwest
Fremont Public Library, 1170 North Midlothian Road, Mundelein, IL, 60060 Map
Live Stream Available
Public Welcome Family Friendly Limited Access Recording Free Event Chapter Meeting Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Drinking Fountains
The Midwest is a vastly diverse landscape of savannas, prairies, and dense forests. Every single plant in these ecosystems has a direct or indirect relationship with native species of fungi. This presentation will explore these relationships and their impacts on preserving the natural world.
August 2023
Adventures in Food Forestry
Fremont Public Library, 1170 North Midlothian Road, Mundelein, IL, 60060 Map
Live Stream Available
Public Welcome Family Friendly Limited Access Recording Free Event Chapter Meeting Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Drinking Fountains
Judy Speer, director of Small Waters Education, will present the story of 14 years of growth in a (mostly) native food forest in northern Illinois. Inspired by permaculture and ecological restoration practices, she and husband Jack have been transforming a patch of woody invasives into a diverse multilayered perennial habitat. Learn how their observations and experimentation are deepening their relationship with the land, and what they have discovered about pawpaws, chokeberries, butternuts and other indigenous foods.
September 2023
Landscaping with Native Plants
Fremont Public Library, 1170 North Midlothian Road, Mundelein, IL, 60060 Map
Live Stream Available
Public Welcome Family Friendly Limited Access Recording Free Event Chapter Meeting Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Drinking Fountains
Learn how to bring nature to your own backyard and explore why using native plants is an important part of environmentally friendly gardening and landscape design. Gain the skills necessary to evaluate site conditions and create landscape designs in harmony with nature by working with natural systems and native plants. Registration link coming soon.