Wild Ones West Cook

06/10/2026

Join us (Wild Ones West Cook) for a picnic and nature walk this Saturday, June 13! 10:30-1pm https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1990242654355?aff=oddtdtcreator

Each master naturalist will lead a group of 8-10 people on walks that can be tailored to the audience (more kid-focused, faster-paced, or slower-paced with more scientific names!) We hope you can join us, and please spread the word!

Please join us for a West Cook Wild Ones nature walk and picnic and bring your kids and grandchildren to enjoy time together in nature!

06/04/2026

Getting ready for this weekend's native plant sale pick up! Volunteers have been busy organizing plants and pulling orders all week! Thank you to our partners Forest Preserves of Forest Preserve District of Cook County and University of Illinois Extension (Conservation@Home)!

There will be extras for purchase: plant sale is on! “Cash” and carry sale starts at noon-thirty today—Thursday, June 4. (Cash, check, credit or debit card.) More than 70 species of native plants and Monarch, Rain garden, and Made-in-the-shade kits available. Find us at Forest Preserve Central Compound. Enter off First Ave south Of Roosevelt across from Loyola Medical Center at 13th. (Do not use Google Maps they will seriously mislead you.) Follow signs for plant pickup.

05/28/2026

Very helpful information about pruning back plants to manage height or to elongate bloom times.

05/25/2026

🎉more native plants!

We are excited to announce that the Library has received a $500 grant from Wild Ones West Cook!

We received a grant in 2024 to help us develop our current pollinator garden. These funds will help us add more native plants.

05/21/2026

It is wonderful to see national coverage about this! NPR is doing a full week of stories about how "communities are moving forward on climate solutions despite significant political headwinds." The whole series is worth checking out, and this one feels particularly relevant to our group!

Turning your grass into a garden isn't as complicated as you think, but it will take time and effort. This step-by-step guide breaks down the process, from killing your lawn to picking plants to grow.

05/18/2026

Oak Park is asking for input about their green infrastructure plan! The link provides details, a link to the survey, and other ways to voice your opinion.

In Spring 2026, the Village will engage stakeholders and residents through open houses, pop-up events and a community survey. This process will allow the community to help shape and prioritize the strategies that advance Oak Park’s 30x30 goal.

05/11/2026

ICYMI: Native plants are growing in popularity!

The popular sale draws more than 1,100 people each year, with plants going for $4 each.

05/09/2026

Spring symbolizes renewal, and a way to renew life-giving in the garden is to remove invasive plants. Our Invasive Trade-In Program focuses on several of the most problematic woody species in the area. If you're in Cook County, our Chapter's region, and remove one of the species on our list, you can apply to get a free tree or shrub from our sale in the fall. Details here:

Remove an invasive tree or shrub. Complete the form to be considered to receive a FREE native tree or shrub.

05/09/2026

Comments verified the larvae of Mason Bees, one of the most important bees for pollination.

We opened this window the other day and found that a solitary bee had been building its nest in between the window and the sill. It has done so out of mud and provisioned each of its larvae with a prodigious amount of pollen. Don't worry, after snapping a couple photos, we promptly returned the window to the position it was in and left a note to remind everyone not to bother this hard working mama. Any idea what kind of bee this might be? This was taken in southeastern North America 🐝

05/06/2026

Interested in learning more about the beautiful trees that surround us? The Wild Ones reading list below highlights books that explore the science, history, and wonder of trees. Whether you are interested in forest ecology, conservation, or just want to gain a deeper appreciation for the trees around you, these books offer a great place to start!

Have you read any of them already? What's your favorite book about trees?

Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes promotes environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities.