Invasive Tree and Shrub Trade-in for Cook County We’re excited to offer this opportunity to give a free native tree or shrub in exchange for the removal of an invasive species on the list below. BUT–check that there are no active bird nests. ABC 7 news in Chicago covered this program–it gives the basic facts […] Continue reading "Invasive Tree and Shrub Trade-in"
About the contest: At the end of the year, we send holiday cards to our paid members, and we would like to get you all involved! For our December 2025 card, we would love to choose a photo from aWest Cook Wild Ones paid member. Our 2025 holiday card will feature the winning photograph with […] Continue reading "2025 Photo Contest: Native Plants in Winter"
What are Chimney Swifts? Why are they important? Chimney Swifts are birds that spend nearly all their waking hours flying as they forage for insects in the sky and are a major predator of mosquitoes. They cannot perch like most birds and instead cling to vertical surfaces, so they need surfaces for roosting and nesting. […] Continue reading "Girl Scout Chimney Swift Project in Oak Park"
Announcing 2023 Garden for Nature Grantees We are pleased to announce our grantees for this year. We were overwhelmed by the number of applications this year and the quality of the projects. The proposals thrilled us reviewers–so much creative and optimistic work being done out there! Our grant is funded by our members and our […] Continue reading "Announcing 2023 Garden for Nature Grantees"
Wild Ones West Cook Accomplishments 2022 by Stephanie Walquist, Board President Here we are–at the end of our ninth year, and we continue to do impactful grass-roots level work. Read through the highlights of the past year. You will see how we are making a real difference in our community and ensuring the Earth will […] Continue reading "Wild Ones West Cook Accomplishments 2022"
Oak Park Climate Action Plan Input by West Cook Wild Ones The Village of Oak Park is creating a Climate Action Plan to be released this summer. The consultants and planning committee have done extensive outreach to encourage citizen involvement, including a “DIY Kit” by which individuals and groups could submit comments. There were several […] Continue reading "Oak Park Climate Action Input"
Announcing 2022 Garden for Nature Grantees We are pleased to announce we were able to award all 14 of the applicants this year! The proposals thrilled us reviewers–so much creative and optimistic work being done out there! Our grant is funded by our members and our annual native plant sale. Here are the recipients listed […] Continue reading "Announcing 2022 Garden for Nature Grantees"
Looking for an environmentally-themed book for your next read? Below are some of our board members’ recent reads. Fiction/Poetry: A Children’s Bible by Lydia Millet. Climate change allegory through the eyes of young people A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers. An interesting take on the future when humanity decides to separate from factories and robots […] Continue reading "Recent Reads Recommendations"
Calling local non-profits and organizations! We are excited to announce our Garden for Nature Grant Program. This grant is for those who would like to improve the environment and engage the public through a native plant garden. If you are part of a local non-profit that wishes to connect young people and nature, there is no […] Continue reading "2022 Garden for Nature Grant Program"
Wild Ones West Cook 2021 Accomplishments by Byron Lanning A pandemic did not prevent West Cook from carrying out its mission. We hope that amidst a time of turmoil and uncertainty, we brought you respite from that stress and hopefully you found some peace in nature, especially if it was right outside your door or […] Continue reading "Wild Ones West Cook Accomplishments 2021"