Lots of organizations conduct activities relating to native plants. Check out some of the offerings below and expand your horizons.
Oaks, Fire, and Climate Change 8:00 PM Eastern time
How to Grow Natives from Seed
How to Grow Natives From Seed
When Sun, October 29, 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Description Hosted by Wild Ones Central NY
We’re pleased to have Krissy Boys for a talk on how to grow native plants from seeds. Topics will include collecting seeds, seed treatments, propagation, and gardening with native plants. Discover native plant combinations for your garden or natural area in sun, shade, wet or dry sites. https://wildones-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAuf-uhrjooGtLBoeNF_fB-oSO3GjzWTl4q
Virtual Symposium on Native Plants with Illinois Extension Office
| Virtual Gardening Symposium: Emerald Ash Borer, Jumping Worms, and more Sat, November 4, 10:00am -1:30pm Description Three Tracks: Gardening for Wellness, Invasive Species, and Behind the Scenes in the Hort Industry Gardening for Wellness:9 am – 10 am: “Elements of a Healing Garden” presented by Mark Dwyer, Garden Manager at Edgerton Hospital Healing Garden. This session explores how gardens can have restorative and healing elements, engaging the senses and providing respite and mindfulness. The session includes discussions on plants, sensory engagement, design ideas, accessibility, and tips, using an existing healing garden as an example. 10:15 am – 11:15 am: “Introduction to Horticultural Therapy” presented by Mike Maddox, Horticultural Therapist and Organizational Development Consultant. Participants will learn about the positive impacts of plants, nature, and gardening on well-being in this introductory session on horticultural therapy. 11:30 am – 12:30 pm: “Body Smart Gardening” presented by Jennifer Fishburn, Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator. This session provides techniques to make gardening more enjoyable, covering topics such as tool selection (including ergonomic options), proper tool use, garden gloves, clothing, and tips for preventing bug bites. Invasive Species Track:9 am – 10 am: “Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Panel Discussion” featuring a panel of experts, including Mark Vitosh (Iowa DNR District Forester), Mary Mason (Geneticist, U.S. Forest Service), Charlie Flower (Research Ecologist, U.S. Forest Service), and Mike Brunk (Illinois Urban Forestry Administrator). The discussion focuses on the aftermath of EAB in Illinois and Iowa, including woodland management after the loss of ash trees and efforts to find resistant trees. 10:15 am – 11:15 am: “Plant Alternatives (Plant this, not that)” presented by Jennifer Fishburn, Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator. This session addresses invasive landscape plants and suggests native alternatives. 11:30 am – 12:30 pm: “Jumping Worms” presented by Tricia Bethke, Forest Pest Outreach Coordinator at the Morton Arboretum. This session explores the discovery of jumping worms in Illinois, their potential impacts on ecosystems, and strategies for addressing them. Behind the Scenes: Horticulture Industry Track:9 am – 10 am: “Get the Scoop on Plant Trialing and High-Performance Plants” presented by Diane Blazek, Executive Director of All-America Selections and National Garden Bureau. This session explains the plant trialing process in North America and how AAS Winners are designated. 10:15 am – 11:15 am: “Growing Native Trees and Shrubs from Seed” presented by Mike Bevins, Former Owner of Iowa Native Trees and Shrubs Nursery. This session covers seed collection, cleaning, storage, germination, root development, and seedling care for native trees and shrubs. 11:30 am – 12:30 pm: “Create a Family Legacy: Backyard Garden Seed Saving” presented by Michael Washburn, Preservation Director at Seed Savers Exchange. Participants will learn about heirloom seeds, seed-saving techniques, and how to create a living treasure for future generations through gardening and seed saving. https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/gardening-in-the-air-virtual-gardening-symposium-saturday-november-4-2023 | ||
Neil Diboll and Hilary Cox
Native Trees for Small Spaces – Blooming Boulevards
Saturday, May 6⋅10:00 – 11:00
All-star bird- and pollinator- friendly small native trees & shrubs.
https://www.bloomingboulevards.org/service-page/native-trees-and-shrubs-for-small-spaces-1?referral=service_list_widget
DNR Bird Migration Forum
Tuesday, May 9⋅6:00 – 9:00pm
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDNR/bulletins/357b332
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will continue its popular Wildlife Through Forestry series of special events May 9 with a bird migration forum being presented on the campus of Michigan Technological University in Houghton.
Bumble Bee Banquet – Sponsored by Wild Ones Prairie Edge in MN
Wednesday, May 10⋅8:00 – 9:00pm
Bumble bees (Bombus) are by far the most charismatic and recognizable native bees. To help bumble bees thrive, we must understand their life cycle, nesting behaviors, and nutritional needs. Heather Holm will illustrate the bumble bee life cycle through the growing season, the importance of selecting the right native (woody and herbaceous) plants to meet the nutritional needs of the queens, workers, males, and gynes, bumble bee habitat enhancement, and factors impacting bumble bee populations.
https://www.wildonesprairieedge.org/meetings.html
Shade Gardens: Hosted by Wild Ones Jo Daviess County, IL
Monday, May 15⋅7:00 – 8:00pm
https://wildones-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwsc–rrTkrHNdJVSkjdB-JT8QyWQGZ07_5
Erin Garrett will provide valuable information on how and why plant natives under trees. Learn the ecological benefits of planting natives underneath trees and explore your options when it comes to choosing shade tolerant native plants.
Pollinator-Friendly Container Gardens – Blooming Boulevards
Saturday, May 20⋅10:00 – 11:00am
Native container gardening is a new frontier – beautiful & beneficial!
https://www.bloomingboulevards.org/service-page/pollinator-friendly-container-gardens-1?referral=service_list_widget
Ethnobotany in Illinois: Native Plants and Indigenous Culture – Wild Ones West Cook IL Chapter
Sunday, May 21⋅3:30 – 4:30pm
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/593241209427
Many of us who are passionate about native-plant gardening are not aware of the ways in which the plants of our region have been or are now being used by Native people, nor how central they are to Indigenous culture. Gina Roxas, a citizen of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, will talk about native plants from a Native American cultural perspective.
Babbling Brooks- What are they trying to tell us?
Tuesday, June 6⋅8:00 – 9:00pm
https://www.fremontlibrary.org/event/8218021
Jeff Weiss, of the Flint Creek/Spring Creek Watershed Partnership will discus the multiple stressors to our rivers, streams and wetlands