Presented by Gibson Woods Chapter of Wild Ones

Saturday, September 27, 2008

The Center

Purdue University

Calumet

2300 173rd Street

Hammond, Indiana

Program Schedule Denise Sandoval -- "What is a native plant?" Denise has many years of experience working with native plants. She operates her own business "Good-Natured Landscapes" and will explain what a native plant is, summarize some of the various habitats they're found in and their many benefits. She promotes, "Think globally, plant locally"!

Jack Pizzo -- "Landscape Tips Using Native Plants" Jack Pizzo is a founding partner of Pizzo & Associates, Ltd. and has been involved in the restoration, design, construction and stewardship of many natural areas in the Midwest. Jack will present how to landscape using native plants.

Bob Allision -- "Shade and Woodland Plants" Bob comes to us with a lot of hands on experience. For 12 years Bob has worked for JF New as manager of seed collection, plant extraction, and seed production and cleaning. Bob will advise us on what native shade plants are good for our area.

Bill & Jennifer Tobin -- "Native Trees and Shrubs" Bill and Jennifer have been master gardeners for many years and have spoken to numerous groups in Indiana and Illinois on several subjects including native trees and shrubs. They will acquaint us with trees that are common to our area and the wild life that is attracted to them.

Early Registration -- Prior to August 30th is $25.00 Registration(August 30th to September 13th) is $35.00 Absolutely NO Registrations accepted after September 13th, 2008 Registration fee includes Continental Breakfast and Lunch

For more information call: Joy at Gibson Woods 219-844-3188 or Pat at 219-865-2679.

Saturday, October 18, 2008, 8:30 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.

Kliebhan Conference Center, Bonaventure Hall

Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee

Plenty of free parking available

Cost: $25 in advance; $30 at door; $15 students with ID

Lunch: Cafeteria or bring your own

Reducing greenhouse gases, conserving water, guarding against flooding, providing habitats for birds and insects are a few reasons why Wild Ones, a nonprofit organization, promotes replacing lawns with native plants. To help people learn how to help slow down global warming and prevent extinction of America's birds and insects, Wild Ones is sponsoring a one-day conference called: Natural Landscaping with Native Plants on Saturday, October 18, 2008 from 8:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. at Cardinal Stritch University, (Glendale) Milwaukee.

Using native plants to replace lawn grass helps in slowing down global warming because native plants have long, fibrous roots which absorb carbon from the atmosphere.

Roots of native plants also absorb, filter, and release water into the ground slowly, preventing flooding. Native plants are drought-resistant and do not require artificial watering. Considerable energy is wasted to purify and pump the water used to irrigate yards. In addition, water is a scarce commodity in many areas making conservation vital.

So much land has been developed that public lands no longer provide enough food for migrating birds and butterflies. Landscaping with native plants sustains American birds and insects which depend on our yards for their survival.

Program choices will include homeowner experiences. . .and more.

To register or for questions, call 414-299-9888, press 3.

WILD ONES HAS A NEW HOME

In December 2007 we closed on the part of the Wild Ones Ecology Center which will enable us to move our headquarters to a permanent facility. But we still have lots of work to do to make the facility handicap accessible before we can move in, so please keep your donations coming in to offset the expenses. To donate.

Although we have not gathered sufficient funds to purchase the remaining 12.5 acres of upland/riparian woodland/marsh which would complete our EcoCenter, we will continue to apply for grants and solicit donations with the hope of being able to do so by the end of 2008. To donate.

So celebrate the new year with Wild Ones! Mark your calendar for the grand opening celebration this summer.

A RARE OPPORTUNITY has befallen Wild Ones to assume ownership of a valuable property on the west shore of Little Lake Butte des Morts near our current headquarters. Because this property is located in the area already designated as West Shore Preserves, we are calling this property the West Shore Preserves Environmental Center.

Wild Ones will be able to assume ownership of this property through grants from the Trustees Council for the Fox River and from the Habitat Area funds from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. The overall goal of the Environmental Center is to involve citizens in the protection and restoration of habitats associated with the Fox River ecosystem which is part of the Great Lakes Watershed.

Our purpose in creating the Center is to provide both an indoor and outdoor “home” for organizations, individuals and students who are working on projects and/or learning about about ways to protect and restore the environmental quality of life in our communities.

HELP US MAKE IT HAPPEN!

For more information about this very significant opportunity for Wild Ones, go to Wild Ones EcoCenter.

Please join us in our good fortune to be part of this rare opportunity. If you have questions e-mail us at Preserve.

If you want to volunteer your services in helping us to fulfill all the requirements related to obtaining the funding and opening the center (grant writing, speaker presentations, telephoning, developing partners, etc) e-mail us at Help Us Make It Happen.

If you wish to donate toward the fulfillment of the amenities (gardens, boardwalk, computer center, laboratory, library, etc) which will eventually be part of the West Shore Preserves Environmental Center please go to Help Us Make It Happen!.