November 2013 Edition

A note from our Chapter President

We are excited to have the president of Wild Ones national coming this month. What a great chance to learn from an expert on native gardening. There are also opportunities to spread the word about natives as a volunteer. Would you like to work with a great group of like-minded people? We’d love to have you. Contact [email protected].

Pam

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Some photos from the Green Living Tour

Board member Stephanie Walquist saw a leaf fluttering in front of her window and then thought the fluttering looked intentional, and it was a butterfly–She snapped a pic, and it’s an Eastern Comma. They overwinter as adults and sometimes come out when temps warm up a little. Caterpillars eat elm, hops, and nettles.
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REMINDER – November Wild Ones chapter meeting

Why Native Wildflowers? An Introduction

Presented by Tim Lewis, Wild Ones National President

Sunday, November 10, 2:30-4:30 in Room 259, Priory Campus of Dominican University, 7200 W. Division Street, River Forest

Why Natives is an introduction to landscaping using native plants. The presentation explains the history of our ecosystems, how we got to where we are today and why native plants are vital to the environment. The benefits and fallacies of natural landscaping will be explained. Finally, examples of native plant landscapes will inspire you to change your thinking about your own landscapes.

Tim Lewis is the national president of Wild Ones Natural Landscapers. He has been on the board of directors for over 10 years. Tim was president of the Rock River Valley chapter in Rockford for several years and served on the board for many more years. He is the past president of Four Rivers Environmental Coalition.
Tim was named Conservationist of the Year for 2009 by the Sinnissippi Audubon Society. In 2011, he was a finalist for the Seth B. Atwood Memorial Park and Conservation Service Award and in 2012 was the recipient of this award.

He has been growing native plants in his yard since 1991. His yard contains over 100 species of native plants in prairie plots, rain gardens, and savanna and shade gardens.

Dominican’s Priory Campus is just west of Harlem on Division Street in River Forest. Park in back and enter on the east side of the building.
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Save the date : Sunday, December 8, 2:30 – 4:30

Members Only Event Details to be provided in a members only e-mail.

Ever wanted to know what the benefits of becoming a Wild Ones Member are?
Join a community of native plant enthusiastsnovice to expertsmaking a difference locally and nationally by establishing and preserving communities of native plants in our home landscapes, our schools and businesses, and in our communities. Help us spread awareness and share what we know about the issues related to preserving, restoring and establishing native plant communities, to preserve biodiversity through our own landscaping.

Membership covers everyone in your household and gives you all the benefits of Wild Ones membership including the Wild Ones Journal and the privileges of the members only features on our Wild Ones web site.

Here at WestCook WildOnes, we also offer local benefits including:
·         Members only special events;
·         Participation in our Seed and Plant Sharing program
·         Discounts for our members at a growing list of participating outlets.

If you want access to all of these benefits plus the deep satisfaction that comes from knowing that you are taking action to preserve biodiversity and inspiring others to learn and participate, too, then join as a member today and make a note that you would like to affiliate with the West Cook Chapter.
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