Events

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October 2025

Oct
14

West Cook Chapter Board Meeting Members Only

Tuesday, October 14th, 2025
to (Central Time)
Oak Park, IL

Members Only Free Event Chapter Board Meeting

Members are welcome to attend.  We will open with a brief period for member comment before commencing business.  If you are a paid member and would like to attend, please email us [email protected] for the Zoom link. Please include your Membership ID. Your ID can be found on your Membership Page. 

Oct
16

Free Webinar: "Next Steps for Nature" with Doug Tallamy

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

Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

Even after reading books and attending talks, many still have pressing questions about ecological landscaping. In this talk, Tallamy addresses common concerns on biodiversity, invasive species, native plants, and conservation strategies, providing practical guidance and motivation to restore nature in everyday spaces. 

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Oct
16

Gardening Lecture: Author Talk, Mysterious Moths with Chelsea Gottfried

Thursday, October 16th, 2025
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

Though seldom seen due to their nocturnal nature, moths are every bit as beautiful and charismatic as their butterfly cousins. Their role as pollinators is essential to the survival of many of our plants, especially orchids. Most importantly, moths and their caterpillars are food for birds, bats, and countless other animals. We will take a photographic journey into the intriguing world of moths, exploring which of our native plants are most enticing to these lovely Lepidopterans. We can all greatly benefit the ecosystem around us by “moth gardening” in our yards! We are excited to host Chelsea Gottfried, co-author of Gardening for Moths, for this program. This lecture is co-sponsored by West Cook Wild Ones. Register here.

We are delighted to co-sponsored this presentation with  Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory.

Speaker Bio

Chelsea Gottfried works as a naturalist and nature-based preschool teacher for the Crawford Park District in north central Ohio. She is an avid gardener and a passionate entomologist.

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November 2025

Nov
11

West Cook Chapter Board Meeting Members Only

Tuesday, November 11th, 2025
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Members Only Free Event Chapter Board Meeting

Members are welcome to attend.  We will open with a brief period for member comment before commencing business.  If you are a paid member and would like to attend, please email us [email protected] for the Zoom link. Please include your Membership ID. Your ID can be found on your Membership Page. 

Nov
20

Free Webinar: "Living in the Liberated Landscape" with Larry Weaner

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! 

December 2025

Dec
9

Free Workshop: "Turn That Patch Into a Plan" with Zoe & Heather Evans

Hosted by Wild Ones National
Tuesday, December 9th, 2025
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

Designing with native plants isn’t just about what you grow, it’s about how you shape your space. In this hands-on workshop, Zoe Evans (Plan it Wild) and Heather Evans (Design Your Wild) guide you through the process of creating a cohesive yard plan that supports both your lifestyle and biodiversity.

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January 2026

Jan
21

Free National Webinar- January 2026

Hosted by Wild Ones National
Wednesday, January 21st, 2026
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

Details coming soon! 

Jan
31

Wild Things 2026

Hosted by Wild Ones Greater DuPage Chapter, Greater Kane County Chapter, Illinois Prairie Chapter, Lake-To-Prairie Chapter, Southwest Illinois Chapter, St. Charles Area Chapter, St. Louis Chapter, West Cook Chapter and Wild Ones National
Saturday, January 31st, 2026
to (Central Time)
The Regency Event and Catering Center, 400 Regency Park, O\'Fallon, IL, 62269 Map

Volunteers Needed Paid Event Public Welcome Registration Required Program/Speaker Presentation Hands-On/How-To Workshop Conference/Symposium Public Restroom

Join us at Wild Things 2026 for an exciting lineup of workshops, presentations, and sessions from regional and national experts, plus meet & greets, video content, exhibitors, sponsors, and more! 

Register

February 2026

Feb
18

Special Benefit Webinar with Richard Louv

Hosted by Wild Ones National
Wednesday, February 18th, 2026
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Paid Event Public Welcome Limited Access Recording Program/Speaker Presentation

Details coming soon! This will be a paid webinar with all proceeds supporting the Seeds for Education Program. 

March 2026

Mar
18

Free National Webinar- March 2026

Hosted by Wild Ones National
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

Details coming soon! 

September 2026

Sep
16

Free National Webinar- September 2026

Hosted by Wild Ones National
Wednesday, September 16th, 2026
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

Details coming soon! 

October 2026

Oct
21

Free National Webinar- October 2026

Hosted by Wild Ones National
Wednesday, October 21st, 2026
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

Details coming soon! 

November 2026

Nov
18

Free National Webinar- November 2026

Hosted by Wild Ones National
Wednesday, November 18th, 2026
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

Details coming soon! 

Speaker Bio

Chelsea Gottfried works as a naturalist and nature-based preschool teacher for the Crawford Park District in north central Ohio. She is an avid gardener and a passionate entomologist.