Newsletter – Janurary 2014 Edition

| Programs
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Are you longing for Spring flowers?  Turn your dreams into garden plans. We have a great line-up of workshops and presentations to recommend that will inspire you and provide you with the skills you need to be successful with native plants.  Learn from the experts how you can be part of the movement to increase biodiversity in your own backyard.
Pam
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Seed Starting Workshop

Saturday, January 11
1 PM-2:30 PM
Trailside Museum
738 Thatcher Ave
River Forest, IL

SeedShareLearn techniques to encourage seed germination in native plants and discuss the benefits of incorporating native plants in your landscape. Participants will take home native plants. For adults and interested teens, $2 per person. Registration required by January 8. Call 708-366-6530.

Here is a link to our Seed Sharing Spreadsheet.  Feel free to add your seeds so that people can ask for an exchange.
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Native Plants that Provide Habitat for Birds

Sunday January 19
2:30-4:30 PM
Stephen Packard, Director of Chicago Audubon
Dominican Priory Campus, Room 259
7200 Division Street
River Forest, IL

KidsPicStephen Packard helped plan and implement a number of Illinois’ large ecological restoration projects including Nachusa Grasslands, Bartel Grassland, Orland Grassland and the Spring Creek Forest Preserves. He also helped design and initiate the Volunteer Stewardship Network, Friends of the Forest Preserves, Mighty Acorns, and Chicago Wilderness. He has extensive experience in the restoration of prairies and oak woodlands.

To read more about Stephen Packard, we have an article about him on our website written by Laurie Casey: Meet Stephen Packard, Founding Director of Audubon Chicago Region

* Photo in this section by Jim Root

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The Truth about Native Plants

February 23, 2:30-4:30
Freyja Conrad, Senior Design Consultant
Dig Right In Landscaping
Dominican Priory Campus, Room 259
7200 Division Street
River Forest, IL

Freyja Conrad’s presentation  will include plant suggestions and maintenance needed to incorporate natives into our urban landscapes.  “Every homeowner can do a small amount to restore the environment one yard at a time,” she says.  An organic gardener from an early age, Freyja has more than 14 years experience working in residential gardens.

She has earned certification in Sustainable Landscape Design from the City of Chicago Department of Environment’s Center for Green Technology, completed the ILCA Institute of Design Seminar and is an educated member of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, a non-profit organization promoting the greening of urban spaces.She has traveled extensively and studied landscapes throughout Europe and Central America to bring her love of plants, nature and design principles to residential landscapes in Chicagoland.

PlantMilkweed

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An app for selecting plants?

For those of you who want to help out the pollinators this year and always get confused when at the garden store: an app to help you know what to buy.

The Bee Smart™ Pollinator Gardener is your comprehensive guide to selecting plants for pollinators specific to your area. Never get caught wondering what plants to buy again!

Click the link below to get the App.

BeeSmart
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