Nursery School: Lessons in Gardening Symposium

A day of gardening inspiration and learning

Join University of Illinois Extension educators, local experts, and Master Gardeners for a full day of inspiration, practical workshops, and community connection. Whether you’re new to gardening or have years of experience, you’ll discover fresh ideas, practical tips, and expert strategies to enrich your gardening journey.

The day begins and ends with keynote presentations, with your choice of two sessions from six engaging topics in between. Enjoy morning rolls and coffee, a complimentary lunch buffet, time to explore garden vendors, and a prize drawing to close the day.

Registration rates:

• Early Bird Rate: $60 (through January 31, 2026)
• Standard Rate: $70 (February 1–15, 2026)

Program Highlights

Opening Keynote | 8:30–9:45 a.m. 
Rebuilding Our Forests Amid Climate Challenges 
Justin Vozzo, Forestry Specialist & ISA Certified Arborist 
Urban forests clean our air, cool our cities, reduce flooding, and provide habitat for wildlife. Yet in the Midwest, they face mounting pressures from climate change and other stressors. Justin will explore how climate is reshaping our urban forests and share innovative strategies to strengthen their resilience—underscoring why their health is vital to our communities.

First Session | 10–11 a.m. (Choose one):

• Soak it Up: Rain Gardens in the Home Landscape 
  Emily Swihart, Horticulture Educator
  Stormwater runoff is an increasing challenge for homeowners, but rain gardens provide a practical and attractive solution. Emily will share effective techniques for managing stormwater, how rain gardens differ from traditional plantings, how to assess whether a site is suitable, and offer design and plant selection tips.
• Harvesting Happiness: Growing Fruit Trees at Home 
  Dr. Elizabeth Wahle, Illinois Extension Agriculture & Agribusiness Specialist 
  Few rewards compare to harvesting fresh, high-quality fruit from your own backyard trees. Get practical strategies to protect your trees and enjoy the satisfaction of a fruitful harvest. Elizabeth will share key challenges of growing apples, pears, and cherries at home, with a focus on integrated pest management and selecting the right cultivars.
• Planting Herbs to Attract Pollinators 
  Jennifer Fishburn, Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator
  Culinary herbs do more than flavor your meals—they can also bring beauty, fragrance, and pollinators into your garden. Jennifer will give practical tips on selecting and planting herbs that attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Discover how herb gardens can enrich the landscape while supporting pollinator health and biodiversity.

Second Sessions | 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. (Choose one):

• Reclaiming Runaway Landscape
  Chris Enroth, Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator 
  Overgrown garden beds can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategies, they can be reclaimed and revitalized. Chris will provide practical methods for tackling chaotic landscapes, from using mulch and design techniques to effective weeding tools. Learn how to decide which plants to remove, which to keep, and how to restore order and beauty to your gardens.
• Explore the Foods, Flavors, and Health Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet
  Kristin Bogdonas, Illinois Extension Food and Nutrition Educator 
  The Mediterranean Diet is one of the world’s most celebrated eating patterns, known for its rich flavors and proven health benefits. Kristin will share its origins, key foods, and the science behind its impact on wellness. Enjoy tasting signature dishes, and leave with practical resources to incorporate Mediterranean-inspired choices into everyday life.
• Support Biodiversity by Landscaping with Native Midwestern Shrubs
  Rob Liva, Ecological Land Management Consultant 
  Native shrubs offer more than seasonal beauty—they provide critical habitat for pollinators and birds while linking home gardens to the broader Midwestern ecology. In this session, Rob will highlight the characteristics and growing preferences of native shrubs and demonstrate how they can transform properties in the Quad Cities into vibrant, biodiverse landscapes.

Lunch Buffet | 12:15–1:15 p.m. Refuel and connect over a delicious buffet featuring pulled pork or black bean burgers with warm sides. Shop the vendor area and enter the giveaway drawing before the closing keynote session begins.

Closing Keynote | 1:15–2:30 p.m. 
Plants of Concern: 25 Years of Rare Plant Monitoring
Grant Fesseler, Northwestern Illinois Coordinator for the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Plants of Concern program.

For nearly 25 years, Plants of Concern has been a pioneering model of long-term, collaborative community science focused on rare plant monitoring. Established in 2001 through a partnership between the Chicago Botanic Garden and Audubon Chicago Region, the program has expanded across Illinois, training more than 300 volunteers and partnering with 150 landowners and managers to monitor rare species at over 600 sites statewide. The data collected has shaped conservation efforts, from creating the Illinois Plant Watchlist to advancing restoration practices and deepening our understanding of how species respond to climate change.

Gain insight into the program’s mission, its wide network of collaborators, and the impact it has had on conservation across Illinois. Discover the rare plants and landscapes of Northwestern Illinois and learn how to get involved as a volunteer.