Events

Events Archive: 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Upcoming Events

January 2025

Jan
12

Restoration Ecology and Great Rivers Prescribed Burn Association Presentation Members Only

This event has ended
Sunday, January 12th, 2025
to (Central Time)
Olin Science Building at Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey , Collinsville, IL, 62260 Map

Members Only Chapter Meeting Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking

We will have an overview of Lewis & Clark CC's Restoration Ecology program with Scott Moss.  Great Rivers Prescribed Burn Association will also discuss prescribed burns, permits, and online training available.  If  time and weather allow, we may walk to see campus restoration projects, the campus greenhouse and storm water weir installation.

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February 2025

Feb
9

Maintaining Native Plant Gardens Presentation Members Only

This event has ended
Sunday, February 9th, 2025
to (Central Time)
Old Bakery Beer Company Community Room, 400 Landmarks Blvd, Alton, IL, 62002 Map

Members Only Chapter Meeting Chapter Social Program/Speaker Presentation

STL chapter member, Betty Struckhoff,  will present on native ground covers and other design elements to minimize maintenance time. A seasonal maintenance schedule is included in the presentation and we’ll discuss invasive plants and aggressive natives, helping you make decisions about when to allow native volunteers to prosper and when to pull. Join us to learn about how to keep your native plant garden looking great! Following the presentation we will have a brief State of the Chapter update and hope you will stay for some social time at Old Bakery. 

Feb
20

National Panel Discussion: "Bees Beyond Honey: Understanding Native and Managed Pollinators"

Hosted by Wild Ones National
This event has ended
Thursday, February 20th, 2025
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

All are welcome to join this free virtual panel discussion exploring the vital roles of native, solitary, and honeybees in pollination and biodiversity. Featuring experts Sam Droege (USGS), Dave Hunter (Crown Bees), and Dr. Lora Morandin (Pollinator Partnership), this event will discuss into the challenges pollinators face, the balance between managed and wild bees, and actionable ways to support all pollinators.

Gain insights from over 90 years of combined experience and learn how to advocate for pollinator habitats through planting native species, participating in community science, and adopting responsible management practices.

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March 2025

Mar
9

Birds and Native Gardening Members Only

This event has ended
Sunday, March 9th, 2025
to (Central Time)
Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary

Members Only Chapter Meeting Program/Speaker Presentation Public Garden Tour Group Tour Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking

Audubon Center at Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary will present on how bird populations have changed and ways to support birds through native landscapes and alternative turf solutions. We will enjoy a brief walking tour their new native plant greenhouse,  gardens and birding areas. Riverlands is located on the banks of the Mississippi River near its confluence with the Missouri River and has over 8.5 miles of trail featuring viewing platforms and bird blinds. The trails bring you through prairies, marshes, and bottomland forest habitats, and provide great viewing opportunities for the great variety of birds and other wildlife.

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Mar
20

National Panel Discussion: The Advocacy Power of Public Native Gardens

Hosted by Wild Ones Capital Region NY Chapter, Hocking Hills (Seedling) Chapter, San Diego Chapter and Wild Ones National
This event has ended
Thursday, March 20th, 2025
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

Public gardens hold tremendous power to influence landscaping norms and inspire change. By showcasing the beauty, functionality, and ecological value of native plants, these spaces help foster biodiversity, advocate for sustainable practices, and engage communities in environmental stewardship. 

This webinar will explore how public and demonstration gardens serve as powerful tools for native plant advocacy. Attendees will learn how gardens move beyond aesthetics to spark action—turning appreciation into engagement and inspiring participants to replicate these practices in their own communities.

We will hear insights from Nicole Machuca, Environmental Social Scientist at the Field Museum, on how public gardens influence behaviors, foster stewardship, and connect people to conservation efforts through research and community engagement. The Wild Ones Capital Region NY and the Wild Ones San Diego (CA) Chapters will share their experiences building native plant demonstration gardens and how these spaces drive community engagement, education, and advocacy. And We'll finish with a conversation exploring how public gardens create a lasting impact beyond planting day moderated by Kelly Kapuzzi, Demonstration Garden Char with the Wild Ones Hocking Hills (OH) Chapter.

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April 2025

Apr
13

April Book Club Members Only

Sunday, April 13th, 2025
to (Central Time)
McCully Heritage Project

Members Only Free Event Chapter Social

This month,  book club discusses Douglas Tallamy's Bringing Nature Home. We will meet before the Spring Ephemeral Walk at McCully Heritage Project in the Farmhouse on property.  

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Apr
13

Spring Ephemeral Walk at McCully Heritage Project Members Only

Sunday, April 13th, 2025
to (Central Time)
McCully Heritage Project, 592 Crawford Creek Rd, Kampsville, IL, 62053 Map

Members Only Chapter Meeting Nature Walk/Hike

Spring Ephemeral walk at McCully Heritage Project,  a natural area made up of 940 acres of hills and hollows in Calhoun County Illinois. The project offers miles of hiking and horse back riding trails, two ponds for fishing and turtle watching, a wetland, forests, native grasslands, and more. 

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June 2025

Jun
8

Member Garden Gathering Bill and Kay Ahaus Members Only

Sunday, June 8th, 2025
to (Central Time)
Trenton, IL, 62293 Map

Members Only Chapter Meeting

SWIL members, Bill and Kay Ahaus garden in Trenton, Illinois

July 2025

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. 

August 2025

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

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
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

Member Garden Gathering/Seed Collecting

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!