Raptors to visit Wild Ones chapter meeting April 18

The Northern Kane County Chapter of the Wild Ones will host a program on raptors at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at Hawthorne Hill Nature Center, 28 Brookside Drive, just east of Route 20 and Randall Road in Elgin.

Guest speaker Mark Spreyer, executive director of Stillman Nature Center in South Barrington, has been bringing owls to school classes, garden clubs, wildlife conferences, and other groups for more than 30 years.

In recent years, the Stillman Nature Center has expanded its collection of permanently injured raptors.

Spreyer doesn't know which animals will be fit to travel on April 18, but he has promised four animals along with his interesting, informed commentary on both the animals and the offerings of the Hawthorne Hill Nature Center.

For more information about Stillman Nature Center, go to www.stillmannc.org

The chapter will host its seventh annual native plant sale from 10 a.m. .to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Hawthorne Hill Nature Center. This year, they are offering 128 different species of native plants, some in plugs and some in pints, as well as a selection of 14 different species of native trees and shrubs in 3- or 5-gallon containers. Come early for the best selection. They have experienced native gardeners to answer any questions.

Once established, native plants do not need watering, pesticides or herbicides. Every native plant supports a community of plants, animals and insects that supports biodiversity and sustainability of the natural world.

They accept cash, check and credit cards.

For the lists of the plants, go to www.Facebook.com/NKWildones or www.northernkanecounty.wildones.org. For details, call (630) 200-5665.

Wild Ones is a nonprofit environmental education and advocacy organization that promotes environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities.