Learn how to make your backyard a wildlife destination
The Northern Kane County Wild Ones and Gail Borden Library are presenting a series of virtual discussions and programs based on the book "Nature's Best Hope, A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard" by Douglas W. Tallamy.
An author and professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, Tallamy explains in his book how homeowners can transform their yards into "Homegrown National Parks" to attract wildlife and provide habitats for them.
Each program is hosted by a local specialist. Reading the book prior to each discussion is recommended. All programs require registration at gailborden.info/register.
• "Nature's Best Hope" book discussion with restoration specialist June Keibler: 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4. One of the founders of the Northern Kane County Wild Ones chapter, Keibler will bring her wealth of experience and her passion for restoring the land to this discussion of the ideas Doug Tallamy advocates.
• Getting Started with Native Gardening with Kane County certified naturalist Mary Alice Masonick: 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6. Masonick will cover the basics of adding native plants to your landscape. She will talk about tools and terminology, buying plants, how to choose a site and how to plant, keystone plants and other tips for getting started with native gardening.
• Invasive Plants with zoologist and naturalist Corey Begalka: 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8. If you're thinking about how you might alter your landscaping, one issue that will pop up is how to deal with invasive exotic plants. Begalka will explain how invasive plants impact our ecosystem, as well as give advice on how to deal with them before gardening season starts.
• Woodland Gardens with naturalist Valerie Blaine: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10. If you're considering planting native plants in a shady portion of your landscape - or if you have woodland on your property - you'll want to learn more about the woodland plants that thrive here. Blaine will explain how you can create a woodland garden in the shady part of a yard.
• "Nature's Best Hope" book discussion with environmental educator and advocate Gary Swick: 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13. Swick will bring more than 30 years of experience as a naturalist to this book talk of "Nature's Best Hope." Having successfully landscaped five properties of his own with native habitat, he will bring invaluable experience to the discussion of Tallamy's ideas.
• Prairie Gardens with Conservation Foundation manager Jim Kleinwachter: 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18. If you're considering planting native plants in a sunny portion of your landscape, you'll want to learn more about the prairie plants that thrive in the sun. They're easy to grow and require little care once they're established. Kleinwachter will talk about prairie grasses and sedges, as well as prairie plants that bloom with vibrant colors.
• Growing Native Plant Communities with expert gardener Rory Klick: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25. If you're a gardener and are considering adding some native plants to your palette, you might be asking: How is gardening with natives different from typical landscape gardening? Department chair for the Horticulture and Sustainable Agriculture program at College of Lake County, Klick will explain how important and beneficial native plants are to our environment.
• The Biodynamic Engine That Drives Our Ecosystem with Deb Perryman McMullen: 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27. Esteemed educator and scientist McMullen, coordinator of science and planetarium for Elgin Area School District U-46, will give a presentation on the role native plants play in reconnecting our yards to a system that draws down carbon, replenishes groundwater, prevents runoff, builds soil, feeds many, offers safe passage and provides shelter for those who share our space.