Events

Learn about the fascinating lives of dragonflies and damselflies with Cindy Crosby

About this Event

Shimmering dragonflies and damselflies capture our imagination as they zoom through the air or alight briefly on a nearby plant. Please join us for an afternoon with Cindy Crosby who will tell us about the lives of these mysterious creatures. This event will be a webinar.

Please register at Eventbrite. Registration is free but required in order to get the video link, which will be e-mailed to you two days in advance of and again 2 hours before the event.

Cindy Crosby's Program Description

Few insects are as fascinating as Illinois's dragonflies and damselflies. From their unusual life cycle of transformation, their bizarre sex life, mystifying migratory habits, and their struggle for survival, there is plenty to discover and marvel about! Hear the cultural history of dragonflies, including some of the myths and superstitions that surround them. Be amazed at their natural history as you see beautiful close-up images of different species that are found in the Chicago Region. Then, learn how you can become involved in caring for these remarkable flying creature through making your backyard more dragonfly-friendly.

Register at Eventbrite

About The Speaker

Cindy Crosby is the author, compiler or contributor to more than 20 books. Her newest book is Chasing Dragonflies: A Natural, Cultural, and Personal History (Northwestern University Press, June 2020) with illustrations by Peggy Macnamara. Cindy coordinates dragonfly monitoring programs at Nachusa Grasslands, a Nature Conservancy site, and The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL. She is also author of the recent full-color book of photographs and essays "Tallgrass Conversations: In Search of the Prairie Spirit" with co-author Thomas Dean (2019) and the author of "The Tallgrass Prairie: An Introduction" (Northwestern University Press, 2017). Cindy earned her master’s degree in natural resources from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Cindy is a Wild One, Master Gardener, and a natural history instructor for the Illinois Master Naturalist’s program. She is a former wilderness ranger with the National Park Service and a current steward supervisor for the Schulenberg Prairie at The Morton Arboretum and a steward at Nachusa Grasslands, a Nature Conservancy site with bison in Franklin Grove, IL. When she's not out working in her garden, chasing dragonflies or kayaking Illinois’ rivers, she speaks and teaches on natural history topics in the Chicago region. Cindy blogs each week at "Tuesdays in the Tallgrass," and you can find her classes and events at www.cindycrosby.com.