Learn & Grow 

Educational Seminars

Our free native plant seminars have been cancelled until further notice due to the global pandemic.  We are regularly sharing free webinars and Facebook Live programs that pertain to native plants, pollinators and other wildlife via email and on our Facebook page.  

Please join our mailing list if you would like to stay informed about programs and events as well as informative articles and Foundation news.  We promise we won't fill your inbox or sell your contact information. 

You can also follow us on Facebook for current news and information.  ​https://www.facebook.com/willcoforestfriends/

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. ​

Volunteer

Resources

In transitioning to an online native plant sale one thing that is sorely missing is the ability to get expert advice and tap into the incredible knowledge possessed by our Native Plant Experts.  In lieu of getting their help, we developed a collection of posts for Facebook featuring different native plants and plant combinations.  We've put them here for you. 

Plant By Numbers Initiative 

If you’ve been yearning to install a nature-friendly landscape around your home, the “Plant by Numbers” initiative starting June 1 at Isle a la Cache preserve in Romeoville will point you in the right direction.  Inspired by the paint-by-numbers activity we all enjoyed as kids, the program provides templates for planting in full sun, full shade and partial shade areas. Plans also are available for both streetside gardens designed for easements and streamside gardens designed for areas with wet soil. Participants who join the initiative will be on their way to creating beautiful, low-maintenance, and pollinator-friendly landscaping.  The initiative also will feature on-site signage at Isle a la Cache to help introduce people to the native, pollinator-friendly plants growing in the preserve.

​For garden plans and plant lists, visit https://www.lexingtonky.gov/plantbynumbers

Organizations

Bringing Nature Home - Douglas Tallamy 
Pollinator Press - Heather Holmes
Xerces Society
​Illinois Native Plant Society - Kankakee Torrent Chapter 

Native Plant Finders

Possibility Place Nursery Native Plant Finder 
National Wildlife Federation Native Plant Finder (Note: You must enter your zip code to use the tool.)

This is not an exhaustive list of resources.  If you find a great resource that you think we should share, send us an email at willcountynature@fpdwc.org. We would love to add it to our collection!