Chapter Events

Enhance your enjoyment of nature and deepen your knowledge of native plants by becoming a Citizen Scientist in your own yard, local park or forest preserve. There are many ways to record your interactions with nature, ranging from the Audubon Christmas bird count, to posting observations on i-Naturalist. You can even become a dragonfly, frog or butterfly monitor. Join us and learn more. 

What are the 13 invasive species found in Lake County?  Learn identifying characteristics, practical tips and the best time of year to manage them.  Plus discover key steps to introduce native flowers, shrubs and trees into your home landscape.

All are welcome to join this free virtual panel discussion exploring the vital roles of native, solitary, and honeybees in pollination and biodiversity. Featuring experts Sam Droege (USGS), Dave Hunter (Crown Bees), and Dr. Lora Morandin (Pollinator Partnership), this event will discuss into the challenges pollinators face, the balance between managed and wild bees, and actionable ways to support all pollinators.

Gain insights from over 90 years of combined experience and learn how to advocate for pollinator habitats through planting native species, participating in community science, and adopting responsible management practices.

Join Xerces Society Ambassador, Brandie Dunn, as she sheds some light on the enchanting world of fireflies. Learn about their distribution and life history, as well as how human activities are placing them more and more at risk. Leave inspired to adopt simple acts that add up and brighten the future for these charismatic and universally beloved creatures.

Public gardens hold tremendous power to influence landscaping norms and inspire change. By showcasing the beauty, functionality, and ecological value of native plants, these spaces help foster biodiversity, advocate for sustainable practices, and engage communities in environmental stewardship. 

This webinar will explore how public and demonstration gardens serve as powerful tools for native plant advocacy. Attendees will learn how gardens move beyond aesthetics to spark action—turning appreciation into engagement and inspiring participants to replicate these practices in their own communities.

We will hear insights from Nicole Machuca, Environmental Social Scientist at the Field Museum, on how public gardens influence behaviors, foster stewardship, and connect people to conservation efforts through research and community engagement. The Wild Ones Capital Region NY and the Wild Ones San Diego (CA) Chapters will share their experiences building native plant demonstration gardens and how these spaces drive community engagement, education, and advocacy. And We'll finish with a conversation exploring how public gardens create a lasting impact beyond planting day moderated by Kelly Kapuzzi, Demonstration Garden Char with the Wild Ones Hocking Hills (OH) Chapter.

Join author and natural history educator Cindy Crosby, as she discusses how Illinois' original garden, the tallgrass prairie, has been shaped by bison. Learn how these charismatic megafauna are being restored to Illinois prairies and listen to tales of their connections, both historical and  contemporary, to some Native American tribes. 

Join us for a joyful celebration of the season at the Milwaukee Public Market's very first Festival of Flowers, taking place Saturday, May 3 from 11am to 3pm at Riverwalk Commons, right across from the Milwaukee Public Market.

Wild Ones National Board Secretary Jermey Rappaport will present on how people can help support a healthy planet by transitioning away from traditional lawns and gardens to more sustainable alternatives featuring native plants. 

This free, family-friendly event is bursting with color, fragrance, and fun! Explore a vibrant flower market featuring locally grown blooms and botanicals perfect for brightening your home or garden. Enjoy live music from local artists as you wander, shop, and relax along the riverfront.

Bring the whole family- there’s something for everyone! From interactive activities for kids to garden-inspired crafts, the Festival of Flowers is designed to delight visitors of all ages. Grown-ups can savor seasonal beverages, while everyone can dig into a variety of tasty eats from local food vendors.

Whether you're a plant enthusiast, music lover, or just looking for a fresh way to spend your Saturday, the Festival of Flowers is the perfect spring outing.

Learn about the Lake County Forest Preserve District’s Plant-Pollinator Monitoring Program. Restoration Ecologist Dan Sandacz, will share results from the first few years of the program and how preserve ecologists use the monitoring efforts to inform future restoration and conservation strategies. Native plant recommendations to support pollinator habitat will also be discussed. 

Join Wild Ones National Board President Loris Damerow for a special presentation as part of Week 3 of the 2025 Less Lawn More Life Challenge, “Native Plants Planted Right.” Loris will walk us through the basics of native plant gardening- from choosing the right plants to planting and maintaining them with confidence.

Join us on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 5 p.m. CT for the YouTube Live premiere of this 30-minute webinar. Native plant experts from  Wild Ones, Plan it Wild, Homegrown National Park, ReWild Your Campus, and others will be active in the live chat throughout the presentation and for 30 minutes after the webinar, giving you plenty of time to ask questions and engage! 

This event is designed for newcomers to native gardening and is part of the national Less Lawn More Life Challenge, hosted by Plan It Wild in collaboration with Wild Ones, iNaturalist, Homegrown National Park, Pollinator Partnership  and many others! 

See more about the Less Lawn More Life Challenge:  https://www.lesslawnmorelife.com/ 

Somme Preserves are an ecological community treasure. Learn how a collaborative effort between volunteers and the Cook County Forest Preserve transformed degraded land into highly biodiverse tallgrass prairie, oak savanna, and woodland ecosystems. Speaker: Christos Economou 

Neonicotinoid pesticides (neonics) are a class of insecticides that are widely used in agriculture, ornamental landscape plants, and trees. There is a growing concern about the impacts of these chemicals. Corrine Daniels, founder of Bombus, a company that specializes in local-ecotype native seeds and plants, will share information about these chemicals and how and why we should avoid them.

Birds are a joy to watch, and bringing them closer is fun, engaging, dramatic, even educational.  Birds’ needs are simple, and providing those needs through your choices of plants, trees, and even garden ornaments can make all the difference in what types of birds you see and hear in your landscape. Research shows that even small changes in individual yards can make a difference in local populations. This program will discuss how and why to make your property a haven for birds and a delight for yourself and others.  

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon!