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Discover the beauty, versatility and dependability of native plants.

Tour 10 colorful, life-filled gardens in Oak Park and River Forest, Illinois, during our annual Birds, Bees & Butterflies Native Garden Tour July 23, 2022 from 1 to 5 p.m.

  WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Meet 11 passionate and knowledgeable home gardeners who have been experimenting with and observing native plants for many years. They'll guide you through their gardens and answer your specific questions about native gardening. You'll learn about sustainable landscaping and rain gardens, and how they can reduce backyard flooding, including two neighbors who teamed up to solve water issues on both properties. You'll see creative ways to incorporate edible gardening and urban homesteading, complete with chicken coops. Some of our gardeners have lovingly designed every square inch of their yards themselves. Others have hired top native garden designers. You'll explore small gardens and large gardens, manicured looks and more carefree ones, and newly planted and mature established landscapes. Whether you're a beginning gardener or have more soil between your toes than you care to reveal, you'll walk away with practical, hands-on tips you can apply to your own yard. COST: $10 for West Cook Wild Ones members. $15 for non-members. Kids attend for free. Buy Tickets at Eventbrite TOUR MAP: Ticket holders will receive a tour map two days before the event. We recommend biking or driving; the locations are spread widely.   COVID-19 SAFETY MEASURES: Most gardens have a separate entrance and exit to encourage social distancing. JOIN THE MOVEMENT! Habitat loss is among the primary factors driving population declines of important local and migratory species. Each new native plant garden--no matter how small--can help support vital insects, birds and other wildlife. Learn about and help nurture the plants and animals that have lived here for thousands of years. At this tour, you'll also learn about our upcoming Fall Native Tree and Shrub sale, where you can purchase good quality native plants at affordable prices. You can also join our West Cook Wildlife Corridor (build link to corridor page): more than 800 gardeners in the near-west suburbs have pledged to grow native plants in support of it. You can, too! VOLUNTEER WITH US: You'll receive a free tour ticket. Native Garden Tour Volunteer Sign-up  BENEFITS OF NATIVE GARDENING: Discover the fun and satisfaction of native gardening. It's high-performance, yet lower-maintenance. Habitat loss is among the primary factors driving population declines of important local and migratory species. Each new native plant garden--no matter how small--can help support vital insects, birds and other wildlife. Among the many benefits are… --Eliminating the need for poisonous pesticides or expensive commercial fertilizers. --Reducing home energy consumption. --Helping reduce flooding after storms. --Decreasing the need for sprinklers and other outdoor water use. --Combating climate change by helping capture carbon dioxide from the air and storing it in your soil. --Providing essential habitat for birds, bees, butterflies and threatened pollinators. �"Offering fun for the whole family and all ages. PRESENTERS: West Cook Wild Ones, Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory and the Interfaith Green Network