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EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS

Welcome to our 2022 Free Learn & Grow Native Plant Seminars. We are still hoping to add more seminars this year, but two of the most noted author's and pollinator conservationists, Doug Tallamy and Heather Holm will be joining us this year for what are sure to be informative and inspirational presentations. Join us as we all learn and grow! 

Check out our video archive for past sessions with Douglas Tallamy, Drew Lathin from Creating Sustainable Landscapes, and Melissa Custic from the Chicagoland Region Trees Initiative. 
Need a little help? Check out our resource page with links to native plant databases and lists, native plant gardening resources, and links to a variety of organizations and societies that promote pollinator conservation. 

SPEND AND EVENING WITH HEATHER HOLM

Heather Holm is a biologist, pollinator conservationist, and award-winning author. In addition to assisting with native bee research projects, she informs and educates audiences nationwide, through her writing and many presentations, about the fascinating world of native pollinators and beneficial insects, and the native plant communities that support them. Heather's presentations are not recorded but she does have a comprehensive set if free resources on her web site. To learn more...

Specialist Bees

​Wednesday, June 15, 2022
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Zoom
**At the presenter's request, this seminar will not be recorded. Only one registration per household required. 
​
The monarch butterfly is probably the most famous insect specialist (the caterpillars only feed on milkweed), but did you know that many native bees are also specialists? Female native bee specialists or oligoleges, only collect pollen from a narrow range of native plants; this could mean just one plant genus or many genera that belong to one plant family. Heather will highlight many of these native plant-bee specializations as well as the overlapping habitat requirements of the bees and plants. The presentation will also include the threats to specialists such as habitat loss and climate change. You will receive and email confirmation and Zoom link after you register. 
LEARN & GROW WITH DOUG TALLAMY
Doug Tallamy is an entomologist, ecologist, and conservationist. He is a professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, where he has authored eighty research articles and has taught Insect Taxonomy, Behavioral Ecology, Humans and Nature, and other courses for thirty-two years. He has written and co-authored several books which have come to define the native plant movement. 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.​
Restoring the Little Things That Run the World 
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Zoom
​**This seminar will be recorded and available after the presentation. Only one registration per household required. 

A recent UN report predicts that as many as 1 million species will disappear from planet earth because of human activities. Many of these are insects and nearly all species at risk rely on insects. Insects have already declined 45% since 1974. The most alarming part of this statistic is that we don’t seem to care, despite the fact that a world without insects is a world without humans! So how do we create beautiful landscapes brimming with life; landscapes that support the pollinators, herbivores, detritivores, predators and parasitoids that run the ecosystems we depend on? Tallamy will remind us of the many essential roles insects play, and describe the simple changes we must make in our landscapes and our attitudes to keep insects on the ground, in the air and yes, on our plants. Doug's presentation will last about an hour and there will be time for questions after his presentation. You will receive an email with your confirmation and zoom link after you register. 

Protect Nature, Inspire Discovery and Bring People & Nature Together!

​We are able to offer these free native plant seminars because of the generosity of our donors and corporate partners. Please consider becoming a donor today. Your gift makes a difference and provides essential funding for programs and initiatives that protect nature and enrich lives!  ​

Thank You Partners!

These free seminars and our native plant sale events would not be possible without the generous support from the business community. These partners share in our efforts to support Forest Preserve District and Nature Foundation programs and initiatives that protect nature, inspire discovery, and bring people and nature together. Thank you!  

NATIVE PLANT RESOURCES
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Native Plant Finders

​Audubon Native Plant Database
Enter your zip code and the database will generate a list of native plants. The 'Best Results' tab includes native plants for a particular area that have been hand-selected by Audubon experts. They are important bird resources that are relatively easy to grow and are usually available at native plant sales and nurseries. Your can filter your results by types of plants, resources, and the bird families you'd like to attract, or search for specific plant names. Add plants to your list by selecting the checkbox below each plant profile. Then click the orange 'Get your plant list' button below to receive an emailed list.
National Wildlife Federation Native Plant Finder 
Based on the research of Douglas W. Tallamy, this native plant finder uses your zip code to find plants that host the highest numbers of butterflies and moths to feed birds and other wildlife where you live. No other online resource offers zip code specific lists of native plants ranked by the number of butterflies and moths that use them as caterpillar host plants. Plants are ranked by greatest number of butterfly and moth associations, since their young play a directly proportional role in supporting bird populations. Butterflies and moths are ranked by choosiness of their diet, indicating which may receive the greatest benefit by inclusion of their host plant in your garden.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center offers the most comprehensive database on native plants for North America. You can search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. Your search results can be narrowed according to criteria such as State/Province, general appearance or habit, light requirements, soil moisture, flower color, bloom time, plant height and even more criteria. 
Native Plant Nursery Databases
Many native plant nurseries have databases you can use to learn more about native plants and their benefits. It's a great way to do a bit of research, make your native plant lists, and get some design tips. Several of them have email newsletters you can sign up for.  And, while we would love for you to purchase all your native plants at one of our native plant sale fundraisers, we know that we might not have everything you want or need. Here's just a few places to check out: 
Prairie Moon Nursery
Winona, Minnesota 
 
Possibility Place Nursery
​Monee, Illinois
Natural Garden Natives
St. Charles, Illinois 
Natural Communities 
Algonquin, Illinois

Native Plant & Gardening Resources

Visit Illinois Wildflowers 
Illinois Wildflowers by Dr. John Hilty
This amazing resource contains descriptions, photographs, and range maps of many wildflowers and other plants in Illinois. These plants consist primarily of herbaceous flowering plants and some woody plants, whether native to Illinois or introduced from somewhere else. Wildflowers and other plants are divided into 5 large groups according to the general habitat in which they are most likely to occur and include prairie wildflowers, savanna wildflowers, weedy wildflowers, wetland wildflowers, and woodland wildflowers. The website also includes information on grasses, sedges and non-flowering plants as well as trees, shrubs, and woody vines.
Rain Garden Manual
File Size: 8533 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Rain Gardens: A Manual for Homeowners & Landscapers
This 32-page manual from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is a comprehensive guide for creating rain gardens. Contents include sizing and siting, constructing, planting and maintaining, and recommended plants. The manual is full of photos and illustrations to assist you with your project. The file is large and it may take a few minutes to download. 
Southern Lake Michigan Rain Garden Manual
File Size: 3129 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
The Southern Lake Michigan Rain Garden Manual 
This manual is a Southern Lake Michigan-specific resource developed for homeowners, landscape architects, city planners, and anyone else interested in protecting local rivers and lakes through gardening. The information in this manual clarifies the process of installing a rain garden and demonstrates that rain gardens are cost-effective storm water management tools, which can be incorporated into a variety of landscapes. 
Butterfly Gardens
File Size: 1197 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Butterfly Gardens
This brochure from the Illinois Department of Nature Resources provides some really great plant lists which include a list of native host plants for butterfly larvae and a list of native plants that provide adult butterflies with nectar sources, shelter and resting spots.  
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources provides an extensive selection of different types of native plants lists on its website.  A selection of links provided below: 
Hummingbird Garden Requirements & Plant List 
Butterfly Garden Requirements & Plant List
Shortgrass Prairie Requirements & Plant List
Tallgrass Prairie Requirements & Plant List 
Container and Planter Requirements & Plant List 
Xerces Society Pollinator Conservation Resources for the Great Lakes Region
The Xerces Society has put together a wonderful selection of region-specific native plant lists and resources. A small selection of what they offer is provided below:  
Pollinator Plants - Great Lakes Region
File Size: 695 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Monarch Nectar Plants - Great Lakes Region
File Size: 791 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Native Plant Organizations, Societies & Initiatives

The native plant movement is growing! Check out these organizations, groups, societies or initiatives to learn more about native plants, their benefits and how to incorporate them into your home landscape! Milkweed For Monarchs also has inexpensive milkweed seed packets and free, bulk milkweed seed for large acreages.  
Chicago Living Corridors
Greater DuPage Wild Ones
​Homegrown National Park with Douglas Tallamy 
​Illinois Native Plant Society - Kankakee Torrent Chapter
Milkweed For Monarchs
​Pollinator Press with Heather Holm 
The Conservation Foundation
Will County Audubon

Get Involved 

The Nature Foundation of Will County and the Forest Preserve District of Will County work together to provide opportunities for you to grow, learn and make a positive impact on the environment and in your community.  Both organizations rely on generous, dedicated people to help each achieve its mission and encourage the stewardship of our natural areas for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. 

Volunteers include professionals, students, seniors, organized groups and families. Volunteer opportunities exist for individuals and groups, and projects can be designed for school, corporate, civic and scout groups.  If you would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities, start your journey today with the Forest Preserve District of Will County and its Volunteer Services Office. ​

Join Others and Support our Work

Everything we do here at The Nature Foundation is because of our donors. Their gifts not only further our mission, they fund essential conservation, nature education and recreation initiatives in the Will County forest preserves. Our donors care deeply about protecting nature and providing opportunities for everyone to enjoy and learn more about the wonders of nature. Their support makes great things happen! Please consider becoming a donor today!