Calling all new and experienced birders! The Big Year Birding Competition, sponsored by the Forest Preserves of Cook County, began March 1, and ends December 31. This is not a competition about stamina or skill, but about getting outside, observing wildlife, and convincing as many friends as possible to get involved.
Lure birds, bees, and butterflies to your garden by purchasing native plants through West Cook Wild Ones this spring. You may order in advance, from now until April 15. The sale takes place on May 14, at Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church parking lot, on Washington St., one block east of Oak Park Ave., in Oak Park. Please bring boxes and bags to carry home your pre-ordered plants as well as those purchased the day of the sale.
We've all heard of capital. It's king, right? Plus, there's venture capital: wealth that creates new businesses. Human capital? Yep, we know that by the sweat on our brow.
And then there's natural capital. Ever heard of it? Paddy Woodworth, author of Our "Once and Future Planet," will come to Oak Park to help us understand the concept of restoring natural capital and how this idea is transforming the way the world values and uses nature.
Join us on November 10, 2015, 7 PM to 9 PM at the First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake Street, Woodworth will be offering a tour of exciting restoration projects he has visited all over the globe, ranging from prairies in the Chicago region to the South African bush; and from ultralight pilots teaching whooping cranes how to migrate the length of a continent to the restoration of bogs in his native Ireland.
Urban Eco Ventures is designed to spark the natural curiosity and creativity of youth, develop an experience-based knowledge of ecosystems, and activate engagement in the community. Introductory Session: Registration is now open for independent, nature-loving 6th, 7th and 8th graders in the Oak Park/River Forest area to participate in a pilot Eco Ventures project on Saturday, October 10 from 9:30 AM to noon. The start and end point for our adventures will be at The Depot, 401 Thatcher Ave, River Forest. This program will be an opportunity to unplug and recharge in nature.
Whether it’s black loam or brown humus, you can dig into the soil this spring to celebrate the International Year of Soils. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is implementing, “Healthy Soils for a Healthy Life” to raise awareness about sustainable soil management in order to support food security and diverse ecosystems worldwide. Not only is the quantity of viable soil diminishing, but its quality is in decline as well.
WildPoster
West Cook Wild Ones will present Living Landscapes: A Native Gardening Conference and Native Plant Sale from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 17, at Dominican University, 7900 W. Division St., in River Forest. As keynote speaker, renowned author Doug Tallamy ("Bringing Nature Home") will share his ideas on how we can reverse the decline in birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife by creating islands of habitat in our own backyards. In addition, seven native plant experts will conduct workshops on topics ranging from rain gardens to rare plants to food gardens. One of these presenters, Trish Beckjord, works for Midwest Ground Covers and specializes in ecological design, helping people see the beauty of native plants. She holds a master’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment.
How did you become interested in native plants?
Well, I’ve always been interested in the outdoors and in natural areas ever since I was a child, visiting my grandmother’s cabin in the north woods of Minnesota. And so when I considered going back to school, one of my main goals was ecological restoration, which I got into through landscape architecture, because I also loved design. It seemed like a good way to put the pieces together. I used to be a quality manager for Abbott Laboratories before I went back to school. I’ve enjoyed all the knowledge I‘ve gained by making a turn in the road.
A lot of my emphasis has become how to help people understand the beauty of native plants, why they are valuable and important to include in a landscape, and then also how they can fit in with the current aesthetic.
I help people start thinking: “Oh, well, maybe I don’t want to use impatiens anymore. Maybe I should use some of these plants, because they are going to bring more benefits. I hadn’t thought about all the butterflies and other insects that are dependent on these plants. I didn’t realize that we only had one tenth of one percent of our native prairies left in the state, and I should care about that.”
Trish
What would you substitute for impatiens?
Plant Jacob’s Ladder, Wild Geranium and Woodland Flox. Those aren’t going to give me color all season, but they belong here. They support our native bees, our native butterflies and birds. By planting these natives, we become part of an urban ecosystem that can help support that life.
What will you be talking about at the West Cook Wild Ones Native Gardening Conference?
I will present images of native plants in planted settings and talk about the principles I’m trying to convey. I will show people you don’t have to have something that looks like a wild prairie. If they don’t like that look, they can still plant native plants. I will help people understand which native plants are appropriate to use on a residential scale, and then show the beauty of them together.
Do you have a design philosophy?
I think my philosophy of design would be to integrate the use of native plants wherever you can and however you can because they are critically important to the life around us. Using native species, using native sedges and grasses as well (it doesn’t have to be all flowers), as well as creating various layers in the garden. So ground planting, ornamental shrubs, looking at that and building a garden at all levels where you can use native plants.
What kind of work do you do for Midwest Ground Covers?
I am the native plant specialist for Midwest Ground Covers. We are a wholesale nursery and don't sell to the retail market. I help customers and the public understand how to add more native plants to their garden. If one of our customers has questions about design applications of native plants, I will also help in a consulting role in that regard. I do that for traditional landscape applications, I do it for green infrastructure applications such as rain gardens and bioretention swales, and I also do it for green roofs.
The Good Earth Greenhouse carries plants from Midwest Ground Covers, and Green Home Experts carries plants from Pizzo, a Native Plants Nursery.
West Cook Wild Ones is seeking volunteers for their May 17 Conference. Please respond at this link.
Now when Oak Park residents step outside, they will have the pleasure of knowing they’re taking a stroll in an officially designated arboretum. The Morton Arboretum announced the accreditation recently in a letter to the village from its president and CEO, Gerard Donnelly. Based in Lisle, The Morton Arboretum created the program that gives municipalities arboretum status “to encourage knowledge, experience and resource sharing among keepers of tree-focused public gardens,” a message posted on the village’s website says.
The Forest Preserve of DuPage County is taking orders for more than 70 species of native plants from now until April 30, for pick up between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., in Oak Brook. If you choose not to order in advance, then see what is available at their Native Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, May 8, or from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at the same location. Place advance orders at the link above, or for more information, contact Marcy Rogge at 630-933-7076 or email mrogge@dupageforest.org.
Do you dream about spending your summer outdoors, doing hands-on work, helping to conserve and restore the environment? The Student Conservation Association and Friends of the Forest Preserves are hiring adult Crew Leaders and High School students for the Chicago Conservation Corps. Applications received before April 24 will be given highest consideration.
