October Program
Boost Next Year's Biodiversity: Eco-sensitive Garden Clean-up
October 18, 2:30-4:30 pm 2:30-4:30 PM. Room 259, The Priory, 7200 W Division St., River Forest, IL
Program description:
If you’ve been doing the trendiest type of gardening–wildlife habitat, pollinator gardens, butterfly gardens–you may have heard about different approaches to conventional garden clean-up which destroys all of the overwintering beneficial insects and removes all of the organic matter from your garden. This presentation will pull together information about common and beneficial insects, birds, and soil biology in order to make the case for taking care with garden clean-up.
We will discuss why we should alter our fall and spring clean-up practices, address misconceptions, hesitations, and strategies for eco-sensitive maintenance.
Stephanie Walquist wears many different wings for West Cook Wild Ones and has been butterfly gardening for 12+ years and is a co-founder and Vice-president of our chapter. The many species of butterflies she has raised have been some of her greatest teachers.
Free and open to the public. Park on the east side of The Priory and enter through the door on the east. Follow the hallway to the end, turn left, and follow that hallway. Turn right up the stairs (or go straight to the elevator), and head up to the second floor.
For the accessibility entrance, enter through the south doors. There is an elevator, which goes to the second floor. Exit the elevator and turn left for Room 259.
Berwyn Residents!
There are members who would like to connect and join forces to support each other through planting native plants in area gardens. If you are interested, please send an e-mail to westcook@outlook.com (even if you've e-mailed us in the past), and we will be sure to get you all together. :)
Past and Upcoming WCWO Activities/Events
September 22: We worked on the pollinator garden at Pilgrim Church in Oak Park and planted more Rose Mallow.
September 26: We had a table at Forest Preserves of Cook County's Centennial Celebration.
November 15: Where Nature Comes Home Presented by Dennis Paige
January 24: The Unnoticed Splendor of Ants Presented by Dr Sean Menke
Fall Conference In The Northern Suburbs
Saturday, November 14, 2015 from 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Wild Ones 2015 Building a Land Ethic With Native Landscaping Conference presented by the Lake to Prairie Chapter at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, IL.
Keynote Speaker: Steve Swenson - Aldo Leopold's Land Ethic: The Product of Perspective.
For complete information and registration http://laketoprairie.wildones.org/
Urban Eco Ventures
A Sustainability Leadership Program for Teens
Urban Eco Ventures is designed to spark the natural curiosity, enthusiasm and creativity of youth, develop an experience-based knowledge of ecosystems, and activate engagement in their community.
Introductory Session: We are now accepting applications from independent, energetic, Nature-loving 7th and 8th graders in the Oak Park/River Forest area to participate in a pilot project on Saturday, October 10 from 9:30 AM to noon (meeting location: The River Forest Depot). We will tap their innate sense of wonder and nurture their development as environmental stewards. Collaborating with a local native plant expert from West Cook Wild Ones ( http://westcook.wildones.org ), we will engage in field investigations, learn about local resources, reflect, and brainstorm possible projects. Our guide will be Susan Lucci, mother to three teens, local community activist, and service learning program designer ( www.2big4words.org).
Possible Future Sessions: Subject to a successful pilot project and securing funding, we will host two sessions in 2016 on these topics:
• Winter Session (February through May): Our Urban Forest Ecosystem
• Spring Session (August through November): Native Wildlife
In each session, we will observe, learn, reflect and take action on the featured topic, collaborating with local experts and activists. We will gather on Saturday mornings at various local meeting places, including: neighborhood blocks, community gardens, parks and libraries.
Cost: The pilot program is being offered free of charge. Ongoing, there may be a nominal materials fee.
More information: To register your child for the pilot project, please send their name, address, contact information and a few sentences in their own words explaining what they love about Nature and why they want to participate, to: Susan Lucci at smlucci@sbcglobal.net or 708-955-7366.
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Want to help out? We have some volunteer opportunities!
We are a growing chapter and have many new and wonderful opportunities to do community outreach and really make an impact on the environment and on people’s lives. If you would like to help out, please complete the form and let us know what you would like to do. There are areas that need regular volunteer commitment or for an hour or two here and there (tabling, gardens, educating, etc). We’re flexible!
Click here for the form: Volunteer Form
Thank you so much!
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