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Greater DuPage Chapter |
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Greater DuPage Chapter |
Wild Ones, Native Plants, Natural Landscapes is a non-profit organization dedicated to natural landscaping and related education.
Wild Ones is a national organization with local chapters that serve various parts of the United States. The Greater DuPage chapter covers several counties across the western suburbs of metropolitan Chicago in Illinois. It was founded in 1991 by Vicki Nowicki and Pat Armstrong.
This local chapter provides a venue for sharing information among members about using plants adapted to the soils and climate of Chicagoland. Our gardens range in size from small areas of native plants up to full-blown prairies. Become a member of Wild Ones and explore how to grow your own natural garden or yard full of native plant species that provide wildlife habitat and an interesting landscape. Gardeners of any skill or interest level are welcome. We encourage visitors to join us at one of our meetings to hear firsthand about our group.
We have over 140 individual, household, and business memberships. See the membership page for more information about the benefits of joining The Wild Ones.
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Naperville
Municipal Center 400 S. Eagle St. Room C (lower level) Naperville, IL 60540 Primary meeting location. Free parking is available in the garage at the south side of the building. |
Willowbrook Wildlife Center 525 S Park Blvd Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 Alternate meeting location. See calendar entry for details related to a specific month's meeting. |
Looking for a group closer to home?
If you are interested in participating in
a new Wild Ones Chapter or sub-group west of Route 59, please contact Jan
Smith 630 653-3958 (
).
Events we sponsor include:
For details about upcoming monthly meetings and special events, see calendar below.
Calendar |
Jun 14, 2008 (Sat)
Sedge Tour - Reed Turner Woods
10:00am - Noon
We will have a one hour sedge workshop with Linda Curtis at Reed Turner Woods which is 1 mile northwest of Long Grove. After the inside session Linda will lead us on a walk in the woods to see sedges in their natural habitat. The sedge meadow is in its fourth year of restoration and should be beautiful. Linda wrote a book on sedges: Woodland Carex of the Upper Midwest.
Read an article on Reed Turner Woods: chicagowildernessmag.org/issues/summer2005/itwreedturner.html
Directions: 3849 Old McHenry Rd, Long Grove, IL - Take Route 53 north to Long Grove and turn left onto Old McHenry Road. The entrance to Reed Turner Woods is about one mile after turning off Route 53 and half a mile south of Route 22. It is on the west side of Old McHenry Rd. Meet in the nature center. Interested in carpooling from Naperville area? Call either Pat Armstrong (630-983-8404) or Pat Clancy (630-964-0448)
Jul 26, 2008 (Sat)
Carol Stream Yard Tours & Picnic
Each host will share their experience with developing their landscape using native plants.
To get the best from it, please arrive at the beginning of each tour.
1:00-1:50, Larry and Joanne Kamin's yard, 1344 Yorkshire Lane
(native foundation plantings and back yard prairie garden)
2:00 - 2:50, Jan and Earl Smith's yard, 555 Chippewa Trail
(extensive perennial garden transitioning to natives)
3:00 - 4:00, Kevin and Christa Collins, 914 Forest Lane
(over 250 native species and a newly planted dry-prairie bed)
4:15 - Wild Ones members only, picnic and cookout at the Collins, bring a chair, non-disposable plates and flatware, a dish to share, and if you want - meat to put on the grill. Soft drinks, ice and condiments will be provided.
Aug 02, 2008 (Sat)
Winfield/Warrenville Area Tours
10:00am ~ 1:00PM
Winfield School Native Plantings - corner of Beecher Ave and Winfield Road, Winfield, IL
This planting was awarded a grant by the national Wildones through the Seeds for Education program. The volunteers that were behind it worked hard at acquiring other sources of funds too, to make it happen. Come hear Wildones member Phoebe Smith recount how it all came together. Right now, the plantings are gorgeous - everything is in bloom. Meet at 10:00am, Saturday morning.
Directions: Winfield Road, 1 mile north of Roosevelt Road, turn left into parking lot on west side of street. Click here for map.
Mark and Pam Bavetz - 141 Wynwood Road, Winfield, IL
This yard is a recent oak & hickory woodland restoration. Five different species of oak, plus other native plantings. Mark advises that you bring your mosquito spray.
Directions: Turn left (north) on Winfield Rd, and then turn left (west) onto Beecher. Drive to the end of Beecher, then turn left onto Wynwood. Go to # 141 (look for green mailbox).
Steve Fluett - 27 W 376 Hoy Road, Warrenville, IL
Steve is a new member and is looking for suggestions on his large lot (almost 3 acres). Situated next to St James Farm, it is in a beautiful setting. With woodland, wetland, and prairie, this yard has it all, including many natives that are revealed as Steve removes the buckthorn. But what are the weeds that need to come out and what natives should be added? Come help a fellow Wildone with your ideas. In a few years this yard can be a showcase.
Directions: Return to Winfield Road and turn right (south). Proceed a few miles to Butterfield (Rt 53) and turn left (east). In 1/2 mile, turn left (north) onto Madison. At stop sign, turn left (west) on to Hoy. Go to end of road, and pull into driveway.
Aug 22, 2008 (Fri)
Wildones Annual Meeting and Conference - Appleton, WI
Friday thru Sunday, August 22 - 24
Details of the conference will be in the Wildones Journal that comes out this summer. Or check the web site later for information: www.for-wild.org.
We always have a few people from our chapter attend. Included is a tour of the new Wildones Ecocenter
Nov 15, 2008 (Sat)
ANNUAL SEED EXCHANGE
9:30am - 11:00am
Historic Warren Tavern
3 S 540 2nd St
Warrenville, IL
Open to the Public - No Admission Charge
If you bring seeds to give away, you can select seeds for free. If you have no seeds to contribute, a nominal donation is requested. Guests are welcome. This is a great opportunity to introduce potential members to what the Wild Ones is all about. In addition to the seeds, there will be photos of yards, people to ask questions of, refreshments, a silent auction and raffle.
The historic Warren Tavern was the home and business of Warrenville's Col. Warren, who operated it as a stage coach stopping point in the 1840s. Renovated to serve again as a public meeting place by the Warren Tavern Preservationists, this venue is a reminder of the days when Illinois was truly "The Prairie State".
Directions: You can get to the tavern by taking I-88 to the Winfield Road exit. Take Winfield Road north to the first light: Warrenville Road. Turn left (west), then take an immediate right (north) to get to Second Street. There is parking at the front of the building and along the various residential streets in the neighborhoo
Board Members
President: Denise Sandoval
Vice President: Pat Armstrong
Secretary: Pat Clancy
Treasurer: Rich Whitney
Terms end on December 31st. We line up our leadership and committees for the coming year in October. Open positions can be filled anytime. Please consider sharing your interest by getting involved in one of these capacities. Help support the healthy continuation and growth of our chapter. Duties are flexible; if you think you can help in any way contact one of the people listed above. There is a strong core of former officers still very much involved in the group who will be happy to help anyone new coming on board. Board meetings are held monthly on the second Friday of the month.
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