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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260309T190000
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UID:10000909-1773082800-1773088200@ecologyactioncenter.org
SUMMARY:Native Orchids
DESCRIPTION:Join Dr. Jan Gehring as she introduces us to the wonderful world of Orchids on March 9 starting at 7:00pm.This program will also be livestreamed. The link to join the livestream is https://www.youtube.com/live/vk0j9kEL_y0. \nShe will begin by highlighting their global distribution and species diversity. This will be followed by a discussion of the characteristics of orchids\, including habit\, growth forms\, vegetative traits\, flowers\, and seeds. The presentation will conclude by highlighting the species of orchids native to Central Illinois and their habitats. \nPresenter Bio: \nDr. Jan Gehring grew up on a farm in East-Central Nebraska and began her education in a one-room schoolhouse. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Her Master’s research was on the impacts of red cedar spread on native prairie vegetation . She went on to earn her Ph.D. at the University of Colorado in 1990 where her research was on sexual dimorphism in white campion (Silene latifolia). Following that\, she completed a post-doc at Indiana University from 1993 to 1996. The majority of her career was spent in Peoria where she served as Assistant and Associate Professor of Biology at Bradley University from 1996 to 2020. At Bradley\, she taught courses in evolution\, ecology and plant science. In retirement Dr. Gehring loves traveling to natural areas where she can’t help botanizing everywhere she goes.
URL:https://ecologyactioncenter.org/event/native-orchids/
LOCATION:805 S Cottage Ave Normal IL\, 805 S Cottage Ave\, Normal
ORGANIZER;CN="Illinois Prairie Chapter of Wild Ones":MAILTO:ilprairiewo@gmail.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260209T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260209T203000
DTSTAMP:20260403T235745
CREATED:20260114T155005Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260114T155005Z
UID:10000884-1770663600-1770669000@ecologyactioncenter.org
SUMMARY:Wild Ones: Illinois Prairie Chapter Program "How to Love a Forest"
DESCRIPTION:On February 9\, from 7:00-8:30pm join the Wild Ones: Prairie Chapter in “How to Love a Forest” on Zoom. Advance registration is required. Register for this event and others at illinoisprairie.wildones.org/chapter-events. A recording of the program will be available on YouTube following the program. \nWhat does it mean to love a forest? In this talk\, Ethan Tapper\, will draw from his work as a forester and his bestselling book — How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World — to discuss what it means to care for forests and other ecosystems at this moment in time. How do we respond to the harmful legacies of the past? How do we use our species’ incredible power to heal rather than to harm? How do we reach towards a better future? In a time in which many believe that “protecting” ecosystems means protecting them from ourselves\, Ethan argues that humans must take action to help ecosystems heal and to move into a more abundant future. Ethan’s message is at once compassionate and pragmatic\, clear-eyed and hopeful\, sobering and inspiring\, a powerful new idea for how we can build a world that works for all of its ecosystems and all of its people. \nPresenter Bio: \nEthan Tapper is a forester\, digital storyteller\, and the bestselling author of How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World. For more than a decade\, Ethan has been recognized as a thought-leader in the world of ecosystem stewardship\, winning numerous regional and national awards for his work. More recently\, he has been recognized as a writer – since its publication in 2024\, How to Love a Forest has been named the winner of the 2025 New England Book Award for nonfiction\, and received international acclaim. \nEthan’s message of relationship\, responsibility and hope reaches millions of people each year through his writing\, social media channels with hundreds of thousands of followers\, and the hundreds of walks\, talks and keynotes that he delivers across North America each year. \nEthan works\, writes\, hunts\, birds and runs a small consulting forestry business from his home at Bear Island – his 175-acre working forest\, homestead\, orchard and sugarbush in Vermont – and plays in his punk band\, The Bubs.
URL:https://ecologyactioncenter.org/event/wild-ones-illinois-prairie-chapter-program-how-to-love-a-forest/
LOCATION:A Zoom link will be provided\, IL
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ORGANIZER;CN="Illinois Prairie Chapter of Wild Ones":MAILTO:ilprairiewo@gmail.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260125T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260125T150000
DTSTAMP:20260403T235745
CREATED:20260114T154454Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260114T154454Z
UID:10000882-1769349600-1769353200@ecologyactioncenter.org
SUMMARY:Wild Ones: Illinois Prairie Chapter Program "Starting Native Plants from Seed"
DESCRIPTION:On January 25\, from 2:00-3:00pm join the Wild Ones: Prairie Chapter in “Starting Native Plants from Seed” at the Bloomington Public Library Community Room. View this event and others at illinoisprairie.wildones.org/chapter-events \nGrowing native plants from seed generally involves different processes than growing many garden vegetables from seed because most native plant seeds need to “experience” winter conditions in order to successfully germinate. In this program you will learn – where to get native plant seed; how to create the conditions needed for native plant seeds to germinate; and how to prepare your seedlings for life in your garden. Free native seed packets will be available to get you started so that your plants are ready to plant in your garden this spring. Supplies of these seed packets are limited. Some of these seeds were harvested from the new Prairie on the Patio native plant garden at Bloomington Public Library. \nThis program and Bloomington Public Library’s new Prairie on the Patio Garden was made possible through grant funding from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation with additional support from Wild Ones: Illinois Prairie Chapter. \nPresenter Bio: \nSherrie Snyder is a graduate of the University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist program\, a founding member of the Illinois Prairie chapter of Wild Ones\, and an active member of the ParkLands Foundation. She has grown and donated thousands of native plants for natural plantings around the community.
URL:https://ecologyactioncenter.org/event/wild-ones-illinois-prairie-chapter-program-starting-native-plants-from-seed/
LOCATION:Bloomington Public Library Community Room\, 205 E Olive Street\, Bloomington\, IL\, 61701\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ecologyactioncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Seeds_from_a_Native_Flower_37003967323.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Illinois Prairie Chapter of Wild Ones":MAILTO:ilprairiewo@gmail.com
GEO:40.4768209;-88.9921371
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251020T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251020T203000
DTSTAMP:20260403T235745
CREATED:20250828T204607Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250828T204937Z
UID:10000849-1760986800-1760992200@ecologyactioncenter.org
SUMMARY:Native Gardening Mini-Sessions
DESCRIPTION:Enjoy some native gardening mini-sessions on October 20 from 7:00-8:30pm presented by the Illinois Prairie Chapter of Wild Ones. \nThis program will consist of three small group native gardening mini-sessions (approx. 15 minutes each) presented by chapter members Ann Schreifels\, Barry Lake and Janet Rasmussen. Program attendees will be split into groups and rotate between sessions and then reconvene as a large group for a question-and-answer session and further discussion. \nThe topics of these mini-sessions are: \nGoldenrods (by Ann Schreifels): Goldenrods are lauded for their late season blooms\, but also cursed because of the false belief they cause fall allergies to spike. While there are many ecosystem benefits to goldenrods\, not all are suited to home landscaping. This presentation will discuss several species and the characteristics that make them best suited for gardeners. Ann is a Master Naturalist and co-president of our chapter. She dove deep into the world of goldenrods to find the best ones for our area. \nNative Grasses for Birds (by Barry Lake): Many people can identify the birds that visit their backyards\, and some even know what birds eat which seed at a feeder! However\, when it comes to native prairies with their variety of grasses and other plants\, what birds are living there\, and what the birds are specifically using these plants for may not be as well known. This presentation will take an abbreviated look at several different types of prairie grasses and the birds that use them. Barry is a self-taught birder who enjoys the interconnection between birds and the wild areas they occupy. Having been a Wild One member for several years\, Barry has always visualized a “rewilding” of state areas that provide a safe haven for birds and wildlife by providing the natural habitat they instinctively seek. \nFall and Winter Landscaping Activities (by Janet Rasmussen): Fall and winter don’t need to be slow times in our yards. Janet will present a variety of activities that can be carried out during this time that can help make our yards more environmentally friendly. Janet has been an active member of the Illinois Prairie chapter since its founding in 2010 and has served in several capacities on the chapter’s Board. She has enjoyed seeing first-hand how both adding native plants to the home landscape and being a “messy” gardener are beneficial to the environment.
URL:https://ecologyactioncenter.org/event/native-gardening-mini-sessions/
LOCATION:805 S Cottage Ave Normal IL\, 805 S Cottage Ave\, Normal
ORGANIZER;CN="Illinois Prairie Chapter of Wild Ones":MAILTO:ilprairiewo@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250908T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250908T203000
DTSTAMP:20260403T235745
CREATED:20250828T202654Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250828T203127Z
UID:10000848-1757358000-1757363400@ecologyactioncenter.org
SUMMARY:Prairiekeeping - The Ritual of Seed Gathering and Project Wingspan
DESCRIPTION:Could “prairiekeeping” become a more irresistible trend than beekeeping? Restoring and recreating prairies and pollinator gardens involves a ritual of fun\, uplifting activities. Seed gathering in particular\, is an exceedingly fun way to enjoy the autumn outdoors. Learn details about how and when to collect seeds as well as information about processing\, storage\, and best use of collected seeds. Find out about Project Wingspan\, Pollinator Partnership’s statewide initiative that partners prairies with local seed collection networks to gather seeds for redistribution among local pollinator habitat projects. \nPresenter Bio: \nEleanor Schumacher is an Illinois pollination ecologist serving as the state coordinator of Pollinator Partnership’s Illinois Project Wingspan since 2021. She also works as an Illinois Department of Agriculture apiary inspector since 2010. Fascinated by the correlation between pollinator habitat quality and bee health\, she pursued studies in pollination ecology\, receiving a Master’s Degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from University of Illinois in 2018. \n*** \nPrairiekeeping – The Ritual of Seed Gathering and Project Wingspan\nMonday\, September 8th\, 2025\n7:00 pm to 8:30 pm (Central Time)\nMennonite Church of Normal\, 805 S Cottage Ave\, Normal\, IL\, 61761 Map\nLive Stream Available\nPublic Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Drinking Fountains \nNote: This program will be presented both in-person and by livestream. To join the livestream\, use this link https://youtube.com/live/PhPxKjVMVkk?feature=share. A recording of the program will be available.
URL:https://ecologyactioncenter.org/event/prairiekeeping-the-ritual-of-seed-gathering-and-project-wingspan/
LOCATION:805 S Cottage Ave Normal IL\, 805 S Cottage Ave\, Normal
ORGANIZER;CN="Illinois Prairie Chapter of Wild Ones":MAILTO:ilprairiewo@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250811T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250811T203000
DTSTAMP:20260403T235745
CREATED:20250207T162544Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250207T162544Z
UID:10000732-1754938800-1754944200@ecologyactioncenter.org
SUMMARY:Trees and Shrubs of Central Illinois
DESCRIPTION:Native plants are becoming the superstars of our home landscapes but many of us are less familiar with these plants in the built environment. Join Illinois Extension Educator\, Ryan Pankau\, for a presentation focused on the use of native trees and shrubs in landscaping. Ryan will review the challenges that urban environment presents to natives and discuss how you can properly site and care for these spectacular plants on your property. His presentation will focus on plants included in the chapter’s “Fall Tree & Shrub Sale”\, as well as other native species that are popular in the horticulture industry. \n****** \nThis program will be held on August 11 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at 805 South Cottage Ave. in Normal\, IL or via livestream. \nNote: This program will be presented both in-person and by livestream. The link to join the livestream will be posted to the website below closer to the program date. A recording of the program will be available on the Illinois Prairie Chapter of Wild Ones YouTube channel.
URL:https://ecologyactioncenter.org/event/trees-and-shrubs-of-central-illinois/
LOCATION:805 S Cottage Ave Normal IL\, 805 S Cottage Ave\, Normal
ORGANIZER;CN="Illinois Prairie Chapter of Wild Ones":MAILTO:ilprairiewo@gmail.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250609T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250609T203000
DTSTAMP:20260403T235745
CREATED:20250207T164700Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250207T164700Z
UID:10000731-1749495600-1749501000@ecologyactioncenter.org
SUMMARY:In the Spirit of Wetlands
DESCRIPTION:The book “In the Spirit of Wetlands” by Clare Howard and David Zalaznik explores a dozen locations in Illinois with either wetland restorations or constructed wetlands. Rather than dark\, smelly\, unproductive swamps\, wetlands are environmental warriors nurturing diversity\, cleansing water and mitigating flooding. People who own and work on these wetlands bring incredible and contagious commitment to this misunderstood and maligned environment. This presentation will highlight images of these Illinois wetlands and the people behind them. \nEarly settlers in Illinois destroyed wetlands before understanding them and before seeing their beauty. Now we have the scientific knowledge that wetlands are critical to a healthy ecosystem. What remains is to open our eyes to see their beauty and fall in love with this environment where land\, water and air co-mingle in a world alive with diversity. We will protect what we love? Presented by Clare Howard. \n***** \nNote: This program will be held on June 9 at 7:00pm both in-person at 805 South Cottage Ave. in Normal\, IL and by livestream. A link to join the livestream will be posted to the website below closer to program date. A recording of the program will be available on our YouTube channel.
URL:https://ecologyactioncenter.org/event/in-the-spirit-of-wetlands/
LOCATION:805 S Cottage Ave Normal IL\, 805 S Cottage Ave\, Normal
ORGANIZER;CN="Illinois Prairie Chapter of Wild Ones":MAILTO:ilprairiewo@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250517T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250517T130000
DTSTAMP:20260403T235745
CREATED:20250207T164904Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250207T164904Z
UID:10000730-1747468800-1747486800@ecologyactioncenter.org
SUMMARY:Illinois Prairie Wild Ones Native Plant Sale
DESCRIPTION:Available for sale will be a variety of central Illinois native plants that will provide blooms for the entire growing season! These plants will help support hummingbirds\, bees\, butterflies and more. A tentative list of plants for sale is available at https://illinoisprairie.wildones.org/nativeplantsale/. Availability subject to change. \nChapter members get a discount on all plants. Proceeds from the sale help fund monthly educational programs and native planting projects. Join or renew online to save time at the Plant Sale and enjoy the member discount. There will also be the option to join/renew the day of the sale using cash or check. \nQUESTIONS: Please email us at ilprairiewo@gmail.com
URL:https://ecologyactioncenter.org/event/illinois-prairie-wild-ones-native-plant-sale/
LOCATION:White Oak Township Community Building (202 Lincoln St. N.\, Carlock\, IL)\, 202 Lincoln St N\, Carlock\, 61725
ORGANIZER;CN="Illinois Prairie Chapter of Wild Ones":MAILTO:ilprairiewo@gmail.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250512T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250512T203000
DTSTAMP:20260403T235745
CREATED:20250207T174210Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250207T174210Z
UID:10000729-1747076400-1747081800@ecologyactioncenter.org
SUMMARY:Unique Adaptations in Prairie Plants
DESCRIPTION:The tallgrass prairie ecosystem is one of the rarest ecosystems in the world. It’s home to plants uniquely adapted to their soil microorganisms\, precipitation\, pollinators\, and light conditions. On May 12 at 7pm Sydney Metternich will talk about how prairie plant species are adapted to their soil microbial communities and consider how those communities change with the level of precipitation across the Midwestern United States. Hear about the performance of pale-spike lobelia (Lobelia spicata)\, round-headed bush clover (Lespedeza capitata)\, big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)\, and rosinweed (Silphium integrifolium) in recent research by the Byers Lab at Illinois State University. Learn how adaptations in prairie plants can shift our expectations to their future success and how this work applies to planting your own garden spaces. \n  \nNote: This program will be held in-person and by livestream. A link to join the livestream will be posted to the Illinois Prairie Wild Ones website below closer to the program date. A recording of the program will be made available to chapter members soon after the program.
URL:https://ecologyactioncenter.org/event/unique-adaptations-in-prairie-plants/
LOCATION:805 S Cottage Ave Normal IL\, 805 S Cottage Ave\, Normal
ORGANIZER;CN="Illinois Prairie Chapter of Wild Ones":MAILTO:ilprairiewo@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250414T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250414T203000
DTSTAMP:20260403T235745
CREATED:20250207T171704Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250207T173943Z
UID:10000728-1744657200-1744662600@ecologyactioncenter.org
SUMMARY:Pruning Oaks and Other Native Trees
DESCRIPTION:Join Guy Sternberg on April 14 at 7pm to learn about oak trees! Did you know that most young trees need a little help to become the best that they can be. Oaks have special characteristics that\, if addressed at a young age\, can be molded into the venerable form and stature that we all think about when the word “oak” is mentioned. While many other tree species are simpler to prune as needed\, the same techniques and precautions can apply. Learn the right\, and wrong\, ways to approach pruning during the early years of tree growth. If we have time\, we also will show a demonstration about pruning tools\, their use and care. \n****** \nNote: This program will be presented both in-person and by livestream. To join the livestream visit this link https://youtube.com/live/4Z5eu9lb0oA?feature=share. A recording of the program will be available on our YouTube channel. \n 
URL:https://ecologyactioncenter.org/event/pruning-oaks-and-other-native-trees/
LOCATION:805 S Cottage Ave Normal IL\, 805 S Cottage Ave\, Normal
ORGANIZER;CN="Illinois Prairie Chapter of Wild Ones":MAILTO:ilprairiewo@gmail.com
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