Events

Online and in your backyard, Illinois Extension staff provide programs to connect you with the natural world. Explore upcoming and annual events below. 

Invasive Species Symposium     Forestry Events     Master Naturalist Annual Conference

Spring and Fall Everyday Environment Webinars

Rows of trees in bloom.

Conservation Tours

Barrie McVey Tree Farm Tour & Picnic
County: McDonough
From forest management to selective logging.

Jack Wohlstadter purchased the first 80 acres of the farm in 1992, and an additional 38 acres were added in 2001. The property has been a certified Tree…

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a group of people looking at flowers
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Horticulture Core Education Training

County: Fulton, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell

University of Illinois Extension's Horticulture Core Education Training is designed for adults of any age who love to learn about gardening/horticulture and have a desire to give back to their…

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Bush honeysuckle plant with the event title in front of it
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Introduction to Invasive Species Management

County: Kane, Montgomery, Calhoun, Livingston, Pope, McDonough, Champaign

From your backyard to the local forest, invasive species have big environmental and economic impacts. Learn how to manage invasive plants in a two-day program that starts with a day of online…

A dense forest of tall evergreen trees with a grassy clearing in the foreground and distant blue-tinted mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

Monroe County Outdoor Explorers

Trees
County: Monroe

Join us for a guided evening walk as we explore trees in our local landscapes. This program is designed for youth and adults of all ages and includes light hiking.

What to BringA…
volunteers removing invasive plants

Beefsteak Removal on Snake Road

County: Union
Join the Shawnee National Forest, Friends of the Shawnee, and Illinois Extension at the LaRue Pine Hills Research Natural Area on Snake Road as we work together to combat invasive herbaceous plants…

Oak Trees

Northern Illinois Trees

2026 Garden Learning Series
County: Lake
The University of Illinois Extension Lake County Master Gardeners, SWALCO, and the Lake County Forest Preserve District present the 2026 Garden Learning Series Programs are free and will be held…
A bush honeysuckle plant with red berries on it

Introduction to Invasive Species Management - Calhoun County Field Day

County: Calhoun

From your backyard to the local forest, invasive species have big environmental and economic impacts. Learn how to manage invasive plants in a two-day program that starts with a day of online…

A bush honeysuckle plant with red berries on it

Introduction to Invasive Species Management - Kane County Field Day

County: Kane

From your backyard to the local forest, invasive species have big environmental and economic impacts. Learn how to manage invasive plants in a two-day program that starts with a day of online…

container garden plants

Container Gardening Workshop

Plant a Row, Watch COPE Grow Food Donation Garden
County: Massac

Container gardens are a great option for beginner gardeners, those without a big space to garden, and those with challenging soil conditions. We’ll explore different types of container gardens…

A bush honeysuckle plant with red berries on it

Introduction to Invasive Species Management - Livingston County Field Day

From your backyard to the local forest, invasive species have big environmental and economic impacts. Learn how to manage invasive plants in a two-day program that starts with a day of online…