Events
Plant Sales & Events
Location: Elgin Community College
Time: 9am- 3pm
Rooted in research, a new one-day educational event is coming to the Chicagoland area. Designed to reach gardeners, growers, environmentalists, arborists, and everyday plant lovers alike, this event is hosted by University of Illinois Extension.
For more information: https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2025-02-08-rooted-plant-based-conference
The Wild Things conference is a celebration of nature, wildlife, ecosystem restoration, birding, botanizing, networking, and discovery – from the lowly mushroom to the high-flying falcon. The conservation community comes together to learn from each other and the best experts, and enjoys a day jam-packed with handpicked panels that run the spectrum in causes, complexity, and creativity. Spend a day with other people who care for the ecosystems of Illinois, and the planet, and find ways to help. We are stewards, advocates, and educators – volunteers and professionals – coming together with urgent hope to appreciate and protect prairies, woodlands, wetlands, wild yards, and wilder hearts.
This high-spirited biennial conference is one of the largest conservation gatherings in the Midwest, regularly drawing nearly 2,000 attendees for the single-day event. The 2025 Conference will take place on Saturday, March 1. Join us!
Wild Things is an educational program of Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves.
Get tickets here!
Location: Mayslake Peabody Estate 1717 31st St Oak Brook, IL 60523
Time: 10am- 4pm
Join us for an inspiring one-day conference open to all and dedicated to celebrating the incredible importance of pollinators. This event will explore practical ways we can all support pollinators by planting native plants in our own gardens, yards, and green spaces. Throughout the day, enjoy a series of engaging talks by expert speakers on a wide range of pollinator-related topics, and leave with actionable steps to help protect these vital creatures. Explore the exhibit hall featuring local organizations dedicated to pollinator conservation, construct your own pollinator garden seed bombs, and shop with local talented vendors offering nature-inspired art, crafts, and wares. Plus, enjoy coffee and food trucks on-site! Bring conservation home and help save our pollinators!
For more info: https://theconservationfoundation.org/event/2025-pollinator-blitz/
Order form will be available for download in late February!
Proceeds from this native plant sale sponsor continued educational and recreational opportunities at the priceless Indiana Dunes. Support the volunteer work of the Friends while visiting the beautiful National and State Parks!
Pre-orders due March 1, 2025!
Order pick-up is Saturday, May 17, 9am – 12pm & Sunday, May 18, 9am-12pm at Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve.
https://www.thorncreekaudubonsociety.org/native-plant-sale
Each spring, Thorn Creek Audubon and Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve partner on a native plant sale to raise funds for educational & conservation projects and to increase native plantings in our area. The plants offered are all native to Illinois. The selections are chosen to thrive in this area and support pollinators and butterflies. Choices include a variety of plant types, colors, textures, and bloom times.