Saturday, March 15, 2025, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Due to limited space, we request registration for the educational sessions. However, no registration is required to explore our expo hall, featuring exciting organizations and vendors. Expo hall is open to the public 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
10:00 – 10:10 Welcome with Connie Schmidt, Sierra Club River Prairie Group
10:15 – 11:15 Native Pollinator Diversity and Conservation at Home with Negin Almassi, Cook County Forest Preserve
News outlets have been reporting on threats to pollinators and insect declines. Who are our native insect pollinators and what do they need to survive and thrive? This session will introduce their diversity and outline what you can do (and what to avoid) to help them. Ages 12 and up; under 18 with an adult. Free. Register online >> or at 630-933-7248.
11:30 – 12:30 Practical Planting for Pollinators with Keriann Dubina and Jon Melin, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
Learn how to make a pollinator garden that supports plant reproduction and biodiversity by picking the right flowering species and providing proper care. Our presentation will cover the how, what, and why of planting for pollinators. We’ll go over design tips, creating a plant list, site preparation, planting and maintenance while using examples from both residential and FPDDC plantings. Ages 12 and up; under 18 with an adult. Free. Register online >> or at 630-933-7248.
12:30 1:30 Lunch Break – Food Trucks Available. Thank you to Five & Hoek Coffee, Boombox Burgers, and Nick’s Pizza!
1:30 – 2:30 Well-Behaved Natives For Suburban Spaces with Heather Prince, Fearless Gardening
How do we incorporate native plants into smaller suburban landscapes? Explore structural well-behaved native plants for sun and shade that offer interesting architecture, distinctive flowers, and host a bevy of beneficial insects. Discover how to layer in natives to attract wildlife, plus give you seasons of color and pleasure. Ages 12 and up; under 18 with an adult. Free. Register online >> or at 630-933-7248.
2:45 – 3:40 Pollinators Need Habitat with Tristan Shaw, Possibility Place Nursery
Native trees and shrubs are powerhouses for habitat. Building habitat with native trees and shrubs is an easy way to get started on your back paradise. Ages 12 and up; under 18 with an adult. Free. Register online >> or at 630-933-7248.
3:40 – 4:00 Bringing Conservation Home with Beth Peluse, The Conservation Foundation
Join Beth Peluse, Conservation@Home Program Manager at The Conservation Foundation, as she concludes our pollinator celebration with practical tips for creating your own pollinator paradise. She will also be discussing how the Conservation@Home program supports gardeners of all skill levels in transforming outdoor spaces into wildlife-friendly habitats. Ages 12 and up; under 18 with an adult. Free. Register online >> or at 630-933-7248.
dupage monarch project: communities protecting pollinators 