Emily Dickinson wrote,  “Hope is a thing with feathers … it asks for nothing and is always singing to us.”  Therefore, a bird oasis in your landscape,  figuratively or poetically speaking, is an outrageous hope, perhaps something beyond hope as inspiration, kickass confidence, unquenchable resilience.

Register for outrageous hope and Pam Carlson's presentation at Eventbrite 

 

The average person, when encountering a wasp, often screams, “Ewwww! Get the insecticide!” Heather Holm’s presentation on predatory wasps will demonstrate an automatic Ewwww! or the compulsion for insecticide is not needed in a wasp encounter. Native predatory wasps are valuable and misunderstood. 

After experiencing this presentation, you may come to admire wasps, and want to develop a relationship with them, maybe adopt a nest or colony of social wasps or have the courage just to let the solitary ones be.

Register for native predatory wasp enlightenment at Eventbrite. 

 

Stroll through local native gardens for an intimate view of native plants. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a tactile, tangible experience is a library.

Learn the whys the gardeners did this and the wishes they hadn’t done that. Discover maintenance tricks, propagation magic,  and how to cooperate with the dynamism of native plants.

Ticket purchases at Eventbrite beginning June 5.

 

A  discussion group for native plant gardening. Questions encouraged.  Don't be afraid to ask, "What is this plant in my yard?" or "How do I get rid of this thing taking over my garden? Esoteric questions are also accepted. Try this one. Do plants with stolons reproduce by fruitcakes? 

Share ideas, resources, and the latest native plant gossip.

Access the WOWC Facebook group

For the past few years, Patrick Hogan has forged, phrased, and distributed this newsletter.  However, his responsibility for the newsletter is ending. He’s leaving his job of 25 years and relocating.

Patrick became aware of Wild Ones from a newspaper story
 about native plant gardeners battling an unhappy neighbor or homeowners association. Not long after, he and his wife, who was the gardener,  stumbled onto a Wild Ones DuPage table while on a bike ride. He didn’t have enough cash to join, but the table person threw in a five-dollar bill to cover the difference. Later, they saw Doug Tallamy, the St. Augustine of native plants, and he and his wife became converts.

Patrick intends to continue with editing and writing on a project basis, especially in online education. He and his wife plan to travel before deciding where to put down roots. They’re not sure where they’ll plant their next native garden or which public land they’ll volunteer.  

We wish him well in his next endeavors and hope to continue the standards he set for the newsletter. Wherever he ends up will be enriched.

 

Also of interest

Honey Bees Protected But Native Bee Species Are Becoming Endangered

National Post


Aphid season: Aphids: What to Do?
West Cook Wild Ones


Visit our Facebook page for more stories like these. 

Join our community of native plant enthusiasts - novices to experts - and support biodiversity in your yard and around town. You will receive discounts at West Cook Wild Ones sales and events while supporting our advocacy and free monthly programs. Join the Wild Ones national organization and select West Cook as your chapter.