From Forest Preserves of Cook County

When the sale commences, trees & shrubs are available by pre-order only.

• Preorder at  West Cook Shopify

• Schedule a pickup time for an order at SignUpGenius. Pick-up is October 5, 2024. 

• Volunteer for the sale at SignUpGenius  

Comprehensive information about the sale at West Cook  2024  Fall Tree and Shrub Sale
 

A healthy landscape has layers: a grass and forb layer, a shrub layer, and a tree or canopy layer. From layering comes strength.

Together, the three layers render nooks, crannies, nest holes, coverts, edge effects, niches, niches, and more niches to encourage biocommunity

From Oak Park Public Library

Interested in greening your home or lifestyle but feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start? Come join us for this event--part presentation, part information fair--to hear stories and ask questions of your neighbors who have taken various green steps. Brief presentations will be followed by an opportunity to drop by presenters' tables to ask questions and get more information. Topics to be covered include: home audits, insulation, solar panel installation, Community Solar programs for house & condo owners & renters, heat pumps and induction cooking.

Presented by Arbor West Neighbors in collaboration with the library. Registration recommended.

From Oak Park Public Library

Explore the curiosities and complexities of nature, environmentalism, and sustainability through fiction and nonfiction literature. All We Can Save, an anthology edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine Keeble Wilkinson, is a collection of diverse voices of women asking critical questions and providing insight and solutions. Curated by two climate leaders, this book leads us away from the brink and toward the possibility of a life-giving future.

From Oak Park Public Library

Come join us for an inside look at current climate stories in the Chicago area with Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco. Juanpablo will share highlights of some of his recent news stories involving the local impacts of climate change and community initiatives as well as his insights into the field of climate reporting.

Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco is a reporter covering issues related to climate change and energy for WBEZ Chicago and Grist. His reporting has appeared on All Things Considered, Morning Edition and Marketplace.

From Friends Of The Oak Park Conservatory

Thursday, Sept 19, 7:00-8:00P                    

Not only do shrubs provide a great backdrop for other plants in your garden, but they can also stabilize the soil and create a habitat for wildlife. Join the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory as we welcome a speaker from West Cook Wild Ones to learn about native shrubs and alternatives to those that are invasive. 

Presented by the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory (FOPCON)

This is a FREE, virtual event.  A Zoom link will be emailed to all registrants on the day of the lecture.

From West Cook Wild Ones

Explore the ecological and aesthetic advantages of hedges and hedgerows in our upcoming Wild Ones national webinar, “The Beauty and Benefits of Hedgerows” with Heather McCargo, founder of Wild Seed Project.

Native hedgerows are diverse plantings of woody plants from shrubs to small trees along with herbaceous groundcovers at their base.  Learn how these low-maintenance and sustainable plantings of shrubs, trees, and groundcovers can enhance biodiversity, provide critical habitats for wildlife, and contribute to climate resilience. Discover practical tips for designing and implementing hedgerows in various landscapes, from farms to urban settings, and understand their role in supporting pollinators, birds, and soil health. 

From Congregations Fighting Hunger

Baked goods and refreshments served!

Sunday, September 8th, 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Come Join us at our community congregational gardens where we grow fresh produce to help support our local food pantries. Ask us about our volunteer opportunities for supporting local food pantries.

Join our scavenger hunt and find cool vegies across the gardens.

Hope to see you there!

Garden Locations

Oak Park Temple B’nai Abraham Zion

1235 N. Harlem, Oak Park, IL

Temple Har Zion

1040 N. Harlem, River Forest, IL

Ascension- St. Edmund Parish

188 S. Oak Park Ave, IL/815 S. East, Oak Park, IL

From Forest Preserves of Cook County

Sat, September 7 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Join the Forest Preserves of Cook County for a paddling event at Kickapoo Woods! This FREE event offers a great opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the natural area while engaging in a fun and relaxing paddling experience.

To register please email Gloria Orozco at gloria@fotfp.org

From Oak Park Public Library

Join us for a discussion about emotions and environmentalism. We will spend the first thirty minutes of the program listening to the podcast Think Sustainability: Emotions Let Us Make Better Decisions (S. 6 Ep. 174) and follow that with a discussion on the connections among feeling, story, and environmental action.

(If you'd rather listen on your own, feel free to listen to it wherever you get your podcasts and arrive at 6:30 p.m. for the discussion only.)

From Forest Preserves of Cook County

In partnership with Ride Illinois, join us for a family-friendly event promoting riding bikes. Safety demonstration, techniques, tips, and a guided ride included. Helmets and loaner bikes are available. This event is perfect for cyclists of all skill levels who want to explore beautiful trails and enjoy the great outdoors.

From West Cook Wild Ones

Explore how native plants can enhance biodiversity and support ecosystems in our upcoming Wild Ones national webinar, “Combating the Biodiversity Crisis with Native Plants” featuring Sarah Gray and Coralie Palmer from the Indiana Native Plant Society.

Native plants are essential for maintaining biodiversity as they provide food and shelter for a wide range of wildlife, including pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects. By incorporating native plants into your landscape, you can create a thriving ecosystem that supports local fauna and flora. These plants are well-adapted to local environmental conditions, making them more resilient to climate change and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Attendees will learn how native plants can improve soil health, enhance water retention, and contribute to a more sustainable and vibrant ecosystem.

From Forest Preserves of Cook County

Elevate Your Birdwatching Skills—Join Our Intro to Bird ID Workshop!

Passionate about birds? Whether you’re a novice or looking to sharpen your skills, our Intro to Bird ID workshop is perfect for you. Learn how to identify common bird species and enhance your birdwatching experience with expert guidance.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with fellow bird enthusiasts and refine your bird identification skills.

From West Cook Wild Ones

Please join West Cook Wild Ones on Zoom for "Gardening for Hummingbirds" with Pam Karlson, artist, garden designer and educator on Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 2:30 pm (Central Time).

One of the summer’s delights is visits from Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Learn about these special guests and how to attract them to gardens during their warm season residency. This presentation features Pam’s Ruby-throated Hummingbird photos taken in the Chicago bird garden she created. Migration, plant selection, eco-friendly gardening practices, nesting, supplemental feeding, and community science will be discussed. 

From Forest Preserves of Cook County

Discover the Impact of Our Choices—Join the Nature Book Club!

Are you curious about the ethical and environmental implications of our food choices? Dive into Jonathan Safran Foer’s provocative book, Eating Animals, and explore these crucial themes with fellow nature enthusiasts. Join us for a lively discussion at Trailside Museum of this book, about consuming meat vs. vegetarianism in the modern world. Ages 18 & up. On August 15th at 7:00 PM (CST).

From Forest Preserves of Cook County

Be a part of hands-on conservation efforts and help restore natural habitats. This is a great opportunity to get involved in environmental stewardship while enjoying the outdoors. All skill levels are welcome for ages 12+.

What to Expect:

• Habitat restoration activities

• Learning about local ecology

• Community involvement

We look forward to seeing you there and making a difference together!

From West Cook Wild Ones:

Discover the beauty, versatility and dependability of native plants. Tour 9 colorful, life-filled gardens in Berwyn and Oak Park, Illinois, during our annual Birds, Bees & Butterflies Native Garden Tour July 27, 2024 from 1 to 5 p.m.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

Meet passionate and knowledgeable home gardeners who have been experimenting with and observing native plants for many years. They’ll guide you through their gardens and answer your specific questions about native gardening.

You’ll learn about sustainable landscaping and rain gardens, and how they can reduce backyard flooding.
You'll get to see gardeners' favorite native plants and hear how they change throughout the seasons.

You’ll explore small gardens and large gardens, manicured looks and more carefree ones, and newly planted and mature established landscapes.

Whether you’re a beginning gardener or have more soil between your toes than you care to reveal, you’ll walk away with practical, hands-on tips you can apply to your own yard.

REGISTER HERE.

From the Forest Preserves of Cook County:

This program is great for beginners who want to learn about building a birding kit, techniques and finding resources.

Registration Required: Register at https://fpdcc.com/event/be-a-better-birder-getting-started-4/

Our expert guides Mike Rush, Jim Rowan, and Larry Godson will lead you through the vast fields to uncover the secret lives of insects. Learn fascinating facts about insect behavior, ecology, and their crucial role in our ecosystem. Capture stunning shots of insects in their natural habitats. Perfect for budding photographers and nature enthusiasts!

From Forest Preserves District of Cook County and University of Illinois Extension:

Learn more about what you can do at home!

The Forest Preserves District of Cook County and University of Illinois Extension staff are collaborating on this special event. The 60-minute event will provide an overview of the Conservation@Home program and provide attendees with information on natural lawn care and water management, among other sustainable landscaping practices.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

For more information about this event , please click here for the calendar event on the Forest Preserves District of Cook County’s website and to learn more about the Forest Preserves District of Cook County click here.

From Oak Park Public Library:

Worms at the Library? Count us in!

Kids, families, teens and grown ups are invited to get up close and personal with worms to learn about their habitat and the wonderful work they do in our soil. Participants will learn about producers, decomposers, and consumers with this interactive worm workshop with an educator from Plant Chicago.

Join in a discussion of the importance of composting and reducing waste while working together to build a worm bin for the library. All ages 4 and up are welcome. Space limited. Registration recommended. Feel free to bring a container to take some worms home with you.

For more information about this event , please click here for the calendar event on the Oak Park Public Library’s website and to learn more about the Oak Park Public Library click here.

From Oak Park Public Library:

Join us for a summer morning of sketching and appreciating nature led by the library's own graphic designer Gabriela Denton. The first hour will include a demonstration by Gabriela and an exercise to practice observational life drawing of plants. For the second hour we will head outside (weather permitting) to practice more drawing. All levels welcome. Beginners encouraged. Registration required here.

From the Forest Preserves of Cook County:

Webinar teaching skills to begin to learn to identify local bird songs.

Registration Required

If you have any questions, please email Jessica.becker@cookcountyil.gov

From West Cook Wild Ones:

Find out how to turn your parkway/hellstrip, also known as that dried out, compacted narrow bit of land between the sidewalk and the road into a gardening opportunity! Two experienced native plant gardeners will give you a virtual guided tour of their stunning parkway gardens and share tips, challenges and successes in turning this challenging area into habitat.

Register for this online event.

This class will introduce you to the fundamentals of kayaking in a comfortable setting and at a relaxed pace. You will learn about proper strokes and paddling techniques, and get the chance to practice these new skills on a beautiful, local waterway. REI’s expert guides will also teach the basics of water safety, trip planning and how to have an enjoyable time on the water. This is a great way to build a new skill set or improve upon what you already know about kayaking. Ages 14 & up. Presented by REI. Kayaks, paddles and all necessary safety equipment provided.

From the Forest Preserves of Cook County:

Step up your birding game by learning how to identify the complexities of birds.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:Register at https://forms.gle/ET19A1pFf6iydW5Q9.
Zoom Presentation

From West Cook Wild Ones: 2024 will be a unique year as the 17-year periodical cicada will be emerging throughout northern Illinois. This is a short, but very interesting entomological event worth enjoying. In this presentation we will discuss the fascinating biology and feeding habits of the periodical cicada, egg laying preferences, susceptible woody plant species, and potential for damage to young trees and shrubs, and natural pruning of mature trees. Practical management methods will be presented for both members of the green industry and homeowners.

Get Tickets: https://westcookwildones.ticketbud.com/the-periodical-cicada-coming-to-a-neighborhood-near-you

From Oak Park Public Library:

Cindy Crosby is the author, compiler or contributor to more than 20 books. Her most recent book is “Chasing Dragonflies: A Natural, Cultural, and Personal History”. Listen to stories of the history of the tallgrass prairie and its amazing plants and creatures – from blooms to butterflies to bison. Discover plants that work well in the home garden as you enjoy learning about Illinois’ “landscape of home.”

Join us for this Earth Month Community Kickoff event for all ages and learn about a wide variety of community sustainability groups and opportunities right here in Oak Park.

Get inspired to do some spring cleaning at home, and we’ll help keep the things you no longer need out of the landfill! Enjoy green giveaways and learn about other ways to get involved with volunteering in the Forest Preserves as well as how to live more sustainably. T-shirt giveaway for the first 50 participants.