Join us at our Spring Greens: Foraging at The Forge Plant Walk where Eric Izzo of The Conservation Foundation will lead a walk showing participants wild leafy greens and other wild edible plants that are common in our local landscapes. Eric will discuss plant identification, which parts of the plants to eat and how to prepare them, safety, and foraging ethics. This event is best suited for ages 18+ or 14+ with an adult and is co-hosted by The Wilder World Trust and The Conservation Foundation. Register Now: https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E11571&id=215

Our annual Earth Day Benefit Dinner is a critical source of funding for our important work to save nearby nature, protect our region’s vital waterways, and connect children of all ages to the wonders of the natural world. We are so excited to gather at Bobak’s Signature Events again this April and hope you’ll join us! Bobak’s Signature Events   Evening Includes Acclaimed silent auction featuring an electronic auction system Hors d’oeuvres, libations, and exquisite 3-course dinner Inspirations video and short program Musical entertainment by Downtown Charlie Brown Opportunity to support our mission   Donations We are welcoming item donations for our silent auction! Click the link to donate items: https://app.betterunite.com/donateitem/o78W6pd4

Rooted in Trouble: The Impact of Invasive Plant Species A Fox River Presentation Series All Programs are Free Organized By: The Conservation Foundation’s Kendall County Advisory Council The Conservation Foundation is collaborating with local partners to once again offer presentation series centered around the Fox River. This series highlights the wildlife diversity, unique attributes, and recreation opportunities provided by our most valuable natural asset, the Fox River. The benefits of living in and visiting the Fox River Valley are expansive, but also dependent on our human impact in these places. Join one or all of the presentations in the series to hear the speakers’ insights on the intricacies of our environment, ways to enjoy our local outdoor spaces, the cultural significance of the Fox River, and how you can care for our natural resources. Rooted in Trouble: The Impact of Invasive Plant Species By Sam Kilgore, Local Land Steward Invasive species have dramatically reshaped the natural communities along the Fox River. This talk will cover what characteristics might allow a species to behave invasively and highlight invasive plant species that are currently impacting our habitats or that may impact them in the future. How can help monitor and control invasive species in our local community? Register Here: https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E11571&id=205

“Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World” by Tyson Yunkaporta McDonald Farm - Bill Dawe Pavilion* We want to bring our community together to discuss ideas within nature-based literature. It’s a great way to get to know each other, as well as deepen our understanding and relationship to the land we live on. This group will be led by our friend, Kristy Belton, and meet every other month on the first Wednesday. We hope you’ll join us! This event is free and no registration is required! *Weather permitting, we’ll meet in the Bill Dawe Pavilion. If inclement weather, we’ll meet in the Clow Education Center. View our McDonald Farm map here to find building locations, gardens, and where to park.

Join The Conservation Foundation and Friends of O’Hara Woods volunteers to improve the ecological health of this State Nature Preserve. Work may include trash clean-up, removal of invasive shrubs and plants, creating/burning brush piles, and harvesting native seeds. Please dress for the weather and conditions, which includes long pants, long-sleeves, and sturdy shoes. Bring a water bottle and work gloves if you have them. Safety glasses, extra gloves, and tools will be provided. If you have any questions, please email Renae Frigo at rfrigo@theconservationfoundation.org. Please meet in the parking lot at the end of Beverly J. Griffin Drive, on the east end of the preserve. Use this link to find the meeting location.

Riverine Friend or Foe: Living with American Beavers A Fox River Presentation Series All Programs are Free Organized By: The Conservation Foundation’s Kendall County Advisory Council The Conservation Foundation is collaborating with local partners to once again offer presentation series centered around the Fox River. This series highlights the wildlife diversity, unique attributes, and recreation opportunities provided by our most valuable natural asset, the Fox River. The benefits of living in and visiting the Fox River Valley are expansive, but also dependent on our human impact in these places. Join one or all of the presentations in the series to hear the speakers’ insights on the intricacies of our environment, ways to enjoy our local outdoor spaces, the cultural significance of the Fox River, and how you can care for our natural resources. Riverine Friend or Foe: Living with American Beavers By Rachel Siegel and Jeff Boland-Prom, Illinois Beaver Alliance By keeping beavers on our Northern Illinois watersheds and managing conflicts nonlethally, we can receive the benefits of the ecosystem services they provide, including boosting biodiversity, building drought and flood resilience, and improving water quality by removing sediment and nutrients. Still, beaver damming can cause flooding that puts infrastructure and property at risk. Explore cost-effective, co-existence solutions with the Illinois Beaver Alliance, as well as the history of beavers in North American, beaver ecology and biology, and how these ecosystem engineers can help us build climate resilience. Register Here: https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E11571&id=204

Workshop: Small-Scale Native Landscapes with Conservation@Home Demand for sustainable, resilient landscapes is surging as homeowners and small businesses look to highlight the beauty and ecological value of native plants. Yet even seasoned landscape professionals don’t always have the specialized knowledge or resources needed to confidently design, install, and maintain native-focused projects. Part of the Conservation@Home Professional training series, The Conservation Foundation and the Village of Downers Grove are offering a free training series to equip small-scale landscape designers and contractors with practical tools they can immediately put to work. Through a combination of focused recorded webinars and a hands-on, in-person workshop, participants will explore design strategies, maintenance best practices, and real-world solutions for integrating native gardens into their service portfolio. This training is ideal for emerging and established professionals with experience in landscape design, installation, or maintenance who want to expand their expertise and meet the growing demand for high-performing, resilient landscapes that showcase native plants. Facilitators: Beth Peluse, Conservation@Home Manager at The Conservation Foundation Beth Peluse is the Conservation@Home Program Manager at The Conservation Foundation. In this role, she collaborates with individuals and local organizations to promote the creation of sustainable, eco-friendly green spaces. By encouraging the planting of native plant gardens, she helps address rainwater management challenges, foster resilient ecosystems, and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Within this program, her efforts not only support local wildlife but also enhance the natural beauty of our community. Amy Phillips, DuPage County Program Director at The Conservation Foundation Amy supports, creates, and coordinates conservation programming tailored to community needs in DuPage County. She is responsible for building relationships with local leaders, municipalities, and communities, coordinating stormwater outreach programming, leading the DuPage Nature Rx Coalition, and curating the DuPage Environmental Summit each year. Amy is an accomplished public speaker, facilitator program manager, and strategic thinker. Amy holds advanced degrees in Biomimicry, Business Administration, and Architecture. Learn more about the Conservation@Home Professional Training: Small-Scale Native Landscapes workshops here!

Quiet Wings of the Watershed: Butterflies and Moths of the Fox River Valley A Fox River Program Series All Programs are Free In Partnership With: The River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles The Conservation Foundation is collaborating with local partners to once again offer presentation series centered around the Fox River. This series highlights the wildlife diversity, unique attributes, and recreation opportunities provided by our most valuable natural asset, the Fox River. The benefits of living in and visiting the Fox River Valley are expansive, but also dependent on our human impact in these places. Join one or all of the presentations in the series to hear the speakers’ insights on the intricacies of our environment, ways to enjoy our local outdoor spaces, the cultural significance of the Fox River, and how you can care for our natural resources. By Pam Otto, Kane County Naturalist

Be ready for a workday with The Conservation Foundation! View tips on how to prepare.   A partnership of The Conservation Foundation and the City of Ottawa created the Dayton Bluffs Preserve, which features 100 acres of prairie, 150 acres of woodlands, rugged ravines, water cascades, and the beautiful Fox River. Work activities vary throughout the year and include collecting native seeds, removal of invasive trees and shrubs, trail maintenance, planting and seeding native species, and controlling weeds. If you plan to bring a group, please contact us at restore@theconservationfoundation.org.