Events

Native Plant Sales, Conferences and more!

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/

When May 10, 2025   9am-1pm

Where Friends of the Dunes Office
1000 W Oak Hill Road
Porter, IN  46304

https://dunefriends.org/native-plant-sale-2025

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.

Speaking Engagements