Restoring our environment
one plant at a time
About Sag Moraine Native Plant Community
Located in northeast Illinois, we are dedicated to restoring native plants to our residential, business and public landscapes. Loss of natural habitat and the native plants within has led to an alarming decline in pollinators, birds, and ecosystem health. This problem can only be solved through the efforts of private landowners, not government legislation. More than 85% of Illinois is privately owned. What we plant at our own home or business can have great impact on our environment. Together we can make a difference!
We cannot in fairness rail against those who destroy the rain forest or threaten the spotted owl when we have made our own yards uninhabitable.
~ Sara Stein
Sag Moraine is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Events & Livestreams
Sag Moraine provides regular education opportunities for the community.
Join us as we learn about native plants and ecological landscaping.
Designing for Water:
Turning Flooding into Habitat
Flooded yards and drainage issues don’t have to be a setback. Guest speaker Jack Pizzo shares how rain gardens, bioswales, and smart plant choices can transform wet areas into thriving habitat that supports pollinators and manages stormwater naturally.
From One Block to the Next: Neighborhood Initiatives to Plant Native Parkways
Community gardeners share how they’re bringing native plants into shared parkway spaces. We’ll discuss how these projects begin, how neighbors collaborate, lessons learned about maintenance, and building support block by block.
Planning Your Native Garden: with Native Garden Planner
This livestream focuses on planning a native garden using Native Garden Planner, a design tool built specifically for native plant landscapes. Learn more about the tool here: https://nativegardenplanner.com
Building a Native Plant Nursery:
A Conversation with Jack Pizzo
What does it take to run a native plant nursery? Jack Pizzo of Pizzo Native Plant Nursery shares how the nursery started, how demand has evolved, and the role native plant growers play in restoration and stewardship.
Epiphany Moments in the Garden:
With Dr. Elizabeth-Anne Stewart
Gardens often spark subtle shifts in how we see land and responsibility. We’re joined by Dr. Elizabeth-Anne Stewart, author of Unlocking Epiphany Moments, to explore how changes in perception lead to meaningful action beyond our own yards.
Native Plant Finder
Discover plants that fit your landscape and support pollinators with our Native Plant Finder. This tool highlights beautiful, easy-to-grow species native to the Chicago region that are perfectly suited for home gardens — dependable, manageable, and right-sized for urban and suburban yards.
How You Can Help
Volunteer
Join a growing community of people who care about native plants and healthy ecosystems. Whether you have an hour a week or a few hours a month, your skills can make a difference.
Become a Member
Your membership helps Sag Moraine create educational programs and inspire more people to plant native. Together, we can grow a stronger community for pollinators and people alike.
Watch & Learn: Native Plant Videos
Explore our latest videos and livestreams for practical tips on native gardening, plant profiles, and pollinator-friendly landscapes.
Community
Sag Moraine is a non-political community of people who value the promotion of native plants for the protection of our local ecosystems. We provide regular opportunities to connect, learn and share ideas both remotely and in person. Please join us as we restore our environment one plant at a time.
Conservation
Sag Moraine encourages thoughtful plant choices that ecologically benefit our environment. We respect the rich natural history of our area and believe that many small things make a big difference. Every time we choose a native plant for our landscape we create a more vital and sustainable ecosystem.