Educational Seminars
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ATTRACTING BEES & BENEFICIAL INSECTS WITH NATIVE PLANTS
with Heather Holm Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 10:00 to 11:15 a.m. Zoom Webinar - FREE **Please note that this session will not be recorded or available after the seminar.** Most insects have a positive impact in our landscapes. Native plants can be selected to attract specific bees and beneficial insects including predatory and parasitic wasps, beetles, flies, true bugs, and lacewings. Learn about the predator-prey relationships of these flower-visiting beneficial insects and how they help keep problem insect populations in balance. The life cycles, diversity, and nesting habitat of native bees will also be covered along with examples of native plants for different site conditions. There will be time for questions at the end of Heather's presentation. After you register, you will receive a confirmation email with meeting details.
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.
Her first book, Pollinators of Native Plants, was published in 2014, and her second book, Bees, published in 2017, has won six book awards including the 2018 American Horticultural Society Book Award. Her new book, Wasps, is available now. Heather’s expertise includes the interactions between native pollinators and native plants, and the natural history and biology of native bees and predatory wasps occurring in the Upper Midwest and Northeast. |
Register Now! 
Check out Heather's website for a comprehensive collection of native plant lists and posters for bees, butterflies & so much more!
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RAIN GARDENS
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Drew Lathin is a fierce advocate for the need to re-wild our urban and suburban landscapes using native plants in thoughtful and legible designs to bring biological diversity and beauty to our everyday lives. Drew has been playing around with native plants in built landscapes for nearly 20 years, most recently as the owner of Creating Sustainable Landscapes, now in its 10th year. Over 400 of his clients have rain gardens, prairie gardens, pollinator gardens, natural shorelines, and alternative lawns. Drew is also the past President of the Board of the Wildflower Association of Michigan.
ASTERS & GOLDENRODS: AUTUMN'S POLLINATOR BANQUET
with Heather Holm
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Photo by Robert Carlson
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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.
Her first book, Pollinators of Native Plants, was published in 2014, and her second book, Bees, published in 2017, has won six book awards including the 2018 American Horticultural Society Book Award. Her new book, Wasps, is available now. Heather’s expertise includes the interactions between native pollinators and native plants, and the natural history and biology of native bees and predatory wasps occurring in the Upper Midwest and Northeast.
Her first book, Pollinators of Native Plants, was published in 2014, and her second book, Bees, published in 2017, has won six book awards including the 2018 American Horticultural Society Book Award. Her new book, Wasps, is available now. Heather’s expertise includes the interactions between native pollinators and native plants, and the natural history and biology of native bees and predatory wasps occurring in the Upper Midwest and Northeast.
HEATHLY YARDS: REPLACING THE INVASIVE SHRUBS IN YOUR LANDSCAPE WITH NATIVE SPECIES
With Melissa Custic, Chicago Region Trees Initiative
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Registration Opening Soon!
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Melissa holds a masters degree in Plant Biology and Conservation from Northwestern University plus a decade of experience in research, education, and outreach. She was named a 'Millennial to Watch' in 2019 by the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association.
We are able to offer this free native plant seminar 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!
BEAUTIFUL TO WILDLIFE, BEAUTIFUL TO PEOPLE: LANDSCAPING WITH NATIVE PLANTS TO SUPPORT NATURE with Drew Lathin, Owner of Creating Sustainable Landscapes, Inc.
*This seminar was presented on Thursday, March 25, 2021
*This seminar was presented on Thursday, March 25, 2021
Drew is a fierce advocate for the need to re-wild our urban and suburban landscapes using native plants in thoughtful and legible designs to bring biological diversity and beauty to our everyday lives. Landscaping with native plants is critical to build habitat, reduce resource inputs, and build healthy outdoor living areas. Learn why only native plants can do this. Drew also shares design tips to make your native landscape beautiful.
Native Plant Finders
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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. |
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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. |
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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:
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:
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Possibility Place Nursery
Monee, Illinois |
Natural Garden Natives
St. Charles, Illinois |
Natural Communities
Algonquin, Illinois |
Native Plant & Gardening Resources
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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. |
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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. | ||
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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. | ||
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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 |
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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:
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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
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.
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!