Events

Events Archive: 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Upcoming Events

July 2025

Jul
13

Book Club featuring Night Magic by Leigh Ann Henion Members Only

Sunday, July 13th, 2025
to (Central Time)
Garden of Sandra Perry

Members Only Chapter Social

Meet to discuss Night Magic by Leigh Ann Henion prior to our regularly scheduled Wild Ones meeting. 

Jul
13

Member Garden Gathering Sandra Perry Members Only

Sunday, July 13th, 2025
to (Central Time)
Glen Carbon, IL Map

Members Only Chapter Meeting Home/Private Garden Tour

SWIL member Sandra Perry. 

Jul
22

Growing the Native Plant Movement Together

Hosted by Wild Ones National
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

The closing event of this year’s Less Lawn More Life Challenge, will be led by Lisa Olsen, Chapter Liaison at Wild Ones. In this webinar, you’ll learn how small, personal actions like planting native species and removing invasives, can ripple outward to inspire neighbors, change policies, and reshape communities. 

During the premiere, native plant experts from Wild Ones and collaborating organizations will be active in the live chat. They’ll be ready to answer questions, share tips, and connect viewers with resources. The live chat will remain open for 30 minutes after the webinar, giving you plenty of time to ask questions and engage. Please note: You must be logged into a YouTube account to participate in the chat. 

The Less Lawn More Life Challenge is a free, 12-week action series designed to help people transform traditional lawns into vibrant, life-supporting native plant habitat. Each week, participants complete a simple challenge like planting a native shrub, removing invasives, or observing pollinators to reimagine their outdoor space and take meaningful steps toward restoring biodiversity at home. 

It’s not too late to get involved. Catch up on the weekly videos and start your rewilding journey today at https://www.lesslawnmorelife.com/ 

Register Read More

August 2025

Aug
10

Book club featuring The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer Members Only

Sunday, August 10th, 2025
to (Central Time)
Garden of Laurie & Hank Henderson

Members Only Chapter Social

Meet at 1 pm prior to our regular chapter meeting to discuss The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer. 

Aug
10

Member Garden Gathering Laurie Henderson Members Only

Sunday, August 10th, 2025
to (Central Time)
Trenton, IL, 62293 Map

Members Only Chapter Meeting Home/Private Garden Tour

SWIL members Laurie and Henry Henderson's garden. 

September 2025

Sep
14

Book Club featuring Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard Members Only

Sunday, September 14th, 2025
to (Central Time)
The Garden of Amy Cyrus

Members Only Chapter Social

Meet prior to our regularly scheduled meeting to discuss  Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard. 

Sep
14

Member Garden Gathering Amy Cyrus Members Only

Sunday, September 14th, 2025
to (Central Time)
Belleville, IL Map

Members Only Chapter Meeting Home/Private Garden Tour

SWIL member Amy Cyrus' garden. 

Sep
18

September Wild Ones National Webinar

Hosted by Wild Ones National
Thursday, September 18th, 2025
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

Details coming soon! 

October 2025

Oct
12

Book Club featuring The Nature Fix by Florence Williams Members Only

Sunday, October 12th, 2025
to (Central Time)
Fults, Illinois

Members Only Chapter Social

Meet to discuss The Nature Fix by Florence Williams.

Oct
16

October Wild Ones National Webinar

Hosted by Wild Ones National
Thursday, October 16th, 2025
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

Details coming soon! 

Oct
19

Seed Collecting at Paul Wightman Subterranean Native Preserve.

Sunday, October 19th, 2025
to (Central Time)
Paul Wightman Subterranean Nature Preserve, Fults, IL, 62244 Map

Public Welcome Family-Friendly Chapter Meeting Hands-On/How-To Workshop Nature Walk/Hike Seed Handling

This is a collaborative event between Clifftop and SWIL Wild Ones. Join Laura Schaefer in a walk along an ADA accessible trail while picking your own native wildflower and grass seed mix to take home. Laura will guide you in plant id, how to collect, preserve and grow your native seed collection. This is the only time when seed may be collected here, so don't miss out on this once a year event!
What to bring: Bring either a large PAPER grocery bag (for a seed mix) or paper lunch bags (to keep species separate) and a marker to label your bags.
Optional: garden gloves and pruners.
We will meet at the pavilion in the parking lot.
Please note the correct address for PWSNP is 3255 G Rd, Fults, Il.
In the event of rain we will reschedule. 

November 2025

Nov
20

November Wild Ones National Webinar

Hosted by Wild Ones National
Thursday, November 20th, 2025
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

Details coming soon!