Events

Community members working in a garden that is just starting to sprout

Community and School Gardens Course Offering

McHenry County
County: McHenry
The University of Illinois Extension will host an introduction to Community and School Gardens with additional resources to use to apply for grants. 

This introduction session to the…

A butterfly and a bee on a flower

Soft Landings at The Dunn Museum

Registration is Full
County: Lake

Soft Landings are landscaped areas beneath native trees designed to support beneficial insects throughout their life cycles. Join us at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville to learn how to create a…

purple flower

Gardeners' BIG Day 2026

County: Fulton, Mason, Peoria, Tazewell
Gardeners, naturalists, and anyone interested in conservation are invited to Gardeners’ BIG Day. Sessions are appropriate for attendees of all skill levels! The day includes three educational…

Seed swap gathering

McLean County Seed Swap

Presented by McLean County Extension and Normal Public Library
County: McLean
Join us for the McLean County Seed Swap on March 16 from 6 to 7:30 PM at the Normal Public Library. This will be a come-and-go event to swap vegetable seeds, scion (fruit tree) wood, native seeds,…

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An illustration of native flowers and plants on a yellow background with the text Rain Garden Rumble
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2026 Rain Garden Rumble

It's a native plant playoff!  

Get to know 28 of the native plants found in the Red Oak Rain Garden by building a bracket, submitting it, and voting for…

A red and white fox

Junior Master Naturalist Program at Woodstock Library

Mammals
County: McHenry

Come join University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists to discover the magical world of mammals. Explore local McHenry County predator prey relationships, animal adaptations, ecology, and…

dogs and cats running through a field of dandelions

Pet-Friendly Landscaping

County: Lake

If you’re both an animal lover and a plant enthusiast, this presentation is designed with you in mind. Join us as we explore how everyday gardening practices can support the pets who share your…

worms in soil

Jumping Worms: Understanding and Managing a New Invader in Our Soils

Hosted by Wild Ones Lake-to-Prairie Chapter and the University of Illinois Extension
County: Lake

A new soil invader is reshaping ecosystems across the Midwest, and communities in Illinois are beginning to feel the impact. Jumping worms (Amynthas spp.) (a rapidly spreading group of invasive…

A person putting food scraps into a compost bin

Compost! Feed the Soil That Feeds Us

Presented by: The University of Illinois Extension Lake County Master Gardeners, SWALCO, and the Lake County Forest Preserve District
County: Lake

Learn about the wonders of compost! Merleanne Rampale from SWALCO, a long-time gardener and composter herself, will share information on the various types of composting, share some fun facts on…

Gardenfest ready, set, grow

Gardenfest - ready, set, grow

McHenry County
County: McHenry

Explore the latest gardening trends, techniques, and tools during this daylong series of seminars for gardeners of every skill level.

Held annually, Gardenfest is sponsored by McHenry County…