News & Events
The Monarch Butterfly … A Big Step Towards a Brighter Future
In December 2024, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service proposed to list the monarch butterfly as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. This listing would be a vital step to protect a species that is currently estimated to have a 60 to 95 percent chance of going extinct by 2080.
The Timbers of Palos Goes Native
The restoration of native plant species to our suburban landscapes is vital. We have experienced an alarming decline in our insects and birds in the last few decades. This is largely due to…
Rare Native Bumble Bee Spotted in the Chicago Area
The American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), once widespread across much of the country, has seen a drastic decline in the past two decades. It is estimated that its population has decreased by at least ninety percent and that it has disappeared in eight states where it previously lived. Lack of
New Bird-Safe Window Film at McCormick Place
McCormick Place is the largest convention center in the US, and its location along one of the most important bird migration corridors in the country has made it a terrible hazard for birds, especially this time of year. Last year, around one thousand birds perished from window strikes during a
2024 Monarch Conference & Celebration at Brookfield Zoo
We’re thrilled to invite you to the 2024 Monarch Conference & Celebration at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago! Join us for a fantastic day of fun, workshops, interactive learning, and networking as we celebrate monarchs and other pollinators during Pollinator Week.
PRESS RELEASE – Prairie Tour and Restoration Effort At Precious Bridgeview Prairie
There will be a tour of the Shooting Star Prairie on June 14th from 10 am – 11:30 am with a meeting spot in the Shark’s parking lot, weather permitting.
2024 Cicadas
Have you heard about the cicada party soon to take place in all of our back yards? Do you know why it’s a big deal, and what you need to do to prepare for it? Ken Johnson’s recent blog post, “The cicadas are coming! Periodical cicadas in Illinois in 2024“,
Ambassador Training
Become an Ambassador for Native Plants! The one hour Spring 2024 training event will take place on Zoom.
Gardening Gathering
This gathering is meant to bring native plant enthusiasts together to enjoy the pursuit of native gardening together.
A Designers Guide to Landscaping with Native Plants
Jeremy Ohmes from Wild World Gardens and Keith Sykora from Stellar Natives will present a free webinar about native garden design.
The Ins and Outs of Creating a Native Pollinator Garden
Adding native plants to your landscape is one of the best things you can do to create a healthier ecosystem and assist our declining pollinator populations.
Why Monarchs Matter and How We Can Help
In this webinar we will discuss why the Monarch is so important, and simple ways we can all do our part to prevent their extinction.
Homegrown National Park with Doug Tallamy
Explore why our parks, preserves, and remaining wild land, no matter how vast, are not enough to sustain our ecosystems.
How to Help Migrating Birds
Did you know that more birds migrate over the Chicago region than anywhere else in the country? Sadly, as millions of birds were migrating through last week, many didn’t make it.
Integrated Pest Management for a Healthy, Vibrant Garden
Integrated Pest Management is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices.
2nd Annual Native Seed Exchange at Prairie Trails Library
Saturday, November 4th at 10am Prairie Trails Library in Burbank, IL Come on out to our 2nd Annual Native Seed Exchange at Prairie Trails Library in Burbank, IL on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 10 am. Collect seeds from your garden to share or just come on out and get seeds
Palos Night Sky Picnic Recap
The Palos Night Sky Picnic event was a delightful and memorable evening under the stars, bringing together families, friends, and astronomy enthusiasts for a night of celestial wonder.
Chicago Trib: Hundreds of home gardeners fight to save monarchs
The plight of the beloved Monarch butterfly was emphasized in a recent story by Nara Schoenberg, in the Chicago Tribune: Field Museum researchers enlist hundreds of home gardeners in fight to save the iconic monarch butterfly. The article describes a four-year research effort by the Field Museum to monitor and
Understanding and Helping our Declining Native Pollinators
The plight of bees and other pollinators has been a hot topic the last several years. Learn about the lives of bees, as well as how to make your landscape both attractive and friendly to them.
Palos Night Sky Picnic
Come experience the night sky as you likely never have, within the lovely Forest Preserves of Cook County. Friday, September 15, 2023 at 5:00 – 7:00 PM, Pioneer Woods.
Restoring Our Environment One Plant At A Time
Join Sag Moraine to learn why native plants are so important to our pollinators, birds, and humans. We will share easy things everyone can do in their own yards to help our ecosystem. Wednesday, May 24, 2023at 6:30pm CT Township of Lyons Administrative Building6404 Joliet Road, Countryside, IL Call or
How to Help Monarchs In Your Yard
Join Sag Moraine for a free webinar featuring Sag Moraine’s Co-Founder and President, Catherine Bryla! Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at7pm Central Time Registration is closed for this event. The recording of the webinar is available on our YouTube channel. Go to YouTube Our endangered monarch butterfly population has declined more
Native Plants for a Traditional Landscape
Join Sag Moraine for a free webinar featuring Sag Moraine’s own Catherine Bryla and Shamim Graff! Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 7pm Central Time. Registration is now open! Use the form below.
Native Plants Ambassador Training Program Session 2
Become an Ambassador for Native Plants! We are offering two training dates with the same information for native plant ambassadors presented at both. The one hour training program will take place on Zoom. The other date being offered is Thursday, April 13, 2023. Monday, April 17, 2023 at 6pm Central