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Dedicated to the study, appreciation, and conservation of the native flora and natural communities of Illinois

2023 Annual Gathering

REGISTRATION CLOSED Hosted by the Central Chapter When: September 29, 30 and October 1, 2023 Venue: The State House Inn, 101 East Adams Street, Springfield, IL Keynote speaker: Doug Tallamy Registration Information Full Conference Saturday Evening Only Meals and beverages: The Friday meet and greet will include heavy hors d’oeuvres with a cash bar. The…
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Plant Profile: A Handful of Hibiscus Seed

By Henry Eilers On August 19 at 9 am we met at Glenn and Nancy Savage’s place on Quail Lane to view their amazing and extensive prairie and wetland restorations. Emilee Hale, Pheasants Forever biologist led a group of participants from PF, local soil and water conservation districts and several federal agencies. Also participating were…
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Annual Gathering 2024: Tribute to Schulenberg Prairie

by Susanne Masi It all came together beautifully. After much planning and organizing by the Northeast Chapter Board and Annual Gathering Committee, coordinated by Kevin Scheiwiller and his support team: Kathy Thomas (Benedictine liaison), Ali Touloupas (field trips), Dom Amato (tech expertise) and Kathy Garness (all around consultation), more than 60 members gathered from July…
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Braidwood Dunes Field Trip July, 2024

Members went to Braidwood Dunes and Savanna on a lovely Sunday, July 21 st . But for me andVlad Nevirkovets, the excitement started before the field trip. Vlad had contacted me a fewdays before the field trip with the news that he had found the state endangered PrairieQuillwort (Isoetes melanopoda) at Braidwood Dunes and Savanna…
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Langham Island Field Trip June 29, 2024

Langham Island Field Trip: On June 29 th the KNK Torrent Chapter went to Langham Island to see one ofthree (?) species known only from Illinois (a.k.a. endemic). One is the American Fairy Lantern (Thismiaamericana), which was last seen at its only known home near Lake Calumet in 1916. Another, theSangamon Phlox (Phlox pilosa var.…
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European Reed Canary Grass

Invasive species April 2024 European Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea). Reed Canary Grass (RCG) originated in Europe, Asia, and Canada. It is unclear if there was a native strain of RCG in Illinois. The native and European strains of RCG are hard for botanists to tell apart with the naked eye but easy for ecologists to separate. See that…
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Preventing the Spread of Invasive Plants Through Hiking Etiquette

Doing our part as individuals as we enjoy nature takes a little etiquette. Beyond the usual field trip guidelines of bug spray and sturdy shoes, I would like to discuss an often-overlooked aspect of hiking etiquette, cleanliness, and sanitation. Now, I’m not going to talk about using outhouses (please don’t hover over the seat; you’re too…
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2024 Indigenous Plants Symposium

The Southern Chapter of the Illinois Native Plant Society hosts its annual symposium at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.  This year’s theme is “Changing landscapes: Plants, People and the Environment.” Our seven speakers will address change in the landscape over small to large spatial and temporal scales. Talks will be a combination of in-person and Zoom presentations.…
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Say Goodbye to Your Callery Pear

Remove Your Invasive Callery Pear and Receive a $25 Coupon to Spend at the Illinois Native Plant Society Central Chapter’s Plant Sale Bring a “selfie” with one or more cut-down Callery pear trees and claim one of the 40 coupons we will have available at the annual native plant sale in Springfield. Use the $25…
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Plant Profile: Sedges (have edges…)

It has been said that it is ‘the little things that make the world go round’. The renowned author E. O. Wilson had ants and beetles in mind. But it could also be said for sedges. They are a group of grass like plants, also referred to as graminoids, about which most of us know…
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