The Conservation Foundation Book Club

The Conservation Foundation Book ClubWednesday, February 4th6:30pm “The Overstory” by Richard Powers McDonald FarmClow Education Center10S404 Knoch Knolls RdNaperville, IL 60565   We want to bring our community together to discuss ideas within nature-based literature. I......More

The Conservation Foundation Book ClubWednesday, February 4th6:30pm “The Overstory” by Richard Powers McDonald FarmClow Education Center10S404 Knoch Knolls RdNaperville, IL 60565   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!   View our McDonald Farm map here to find building locations, gardens, and where to park.  

McDonald Farm, 10S404 Knoch Knolls Rd, Naperville, IL, 60565, United States

Native Woody Plants for Urban Spaces

Conservation@Home Professional Training:Small-Scale Native LandscapesWebinar 3: Native Woody Plants for Urban Spaces Thursday, February 5th12:00 — 1:00pm   Part of the Conservation@Home Professional training series and held in partnership with Possibility Place Nursery......More

Conservation@Home Professional Training:Small-Scale Native LandscapesWebinar 3: Native Woody Plants for Urban Spaces Thursday, February 5th12:00 — 1:00pm   Part of the Conservation@Home Professional training series and held in partnership with Possibility Place Nursery, join Possibility Place Nursery owner and botanist as he highlights native trees and shrubs perfect for small-scale urban spaces. Native plants are often treated as an all-or-nothing option or confined to a narrow list of “acceptable” species. But the world of natives — especially woody plants — is far more versatile and exciting than traditional plant lists suggest. In this webinar, Kelsey Shaw will break open old assumptions and show how native plants can thrive in a wide range of landscapes and design contexts. You’ll learn how to move beyond rigid species lists and single-use ideals, and instead plan intentionally for the places where natives naturally excel. Discover how thoughtful selection and strategic placement can elevate your projects, better serve your clients, and strengthen local ecosystems. Speaker:Kelsay Shaw, Owner and Botanist at Possibility Place NurseryKelsay Shaw has a B.S. in botany from Eastern Illinois University and has been doing work in the green industry for over 30 years. He has traveled the mid-west exploring native habitat to further his understanding of native flora and its relationship to local fauna as well as the impact of fragmentation of these habitats. A partner at Possibility Place Nursery, he and his family have tried to help make their clients (and people in general) aware of the positive contributions planting native plants in their yard can have on the local environment through consulting on projects and giving lectures on a range of related topics. Only by showing people the connections of native plants to native critters to us can we hope to make our world a slightly brighter place.   Learn more about the Conservation@Home Professional Training: Small-Scale Native Landscapes workshops here!   Thanks to our sponsor:  

Small-Scale Native Landscape Design

Conservation@Home Professional Training:Small-Scale Native LandscapesWebinar 4: Small-Scale Native Landscape Design Thursday, February 12th12:00 — 1:00pm   Part of the Conservation@Home Professional training series and held in partnership with PlanIt Landscape Perspect......More

Conservation@Home Professional Training:Small-Scale Native LandscapesWebinar 4: Small-Scale Native Landscape Design Thursday, February 12th12:00 — 1:00pm   Part of the Conservation@Home Professional training series and held in partnership with PlanIt Landscape Perspectives, LLC, join designer and business owner Amanda Arnold as she showcases her eco-focused, resilient native plants gardens. This webinar introduces the essentials of designing with native plants to create healthier, more resilient landscapes. Participants will learn how to choose the right species, plan effective layouts, and avoid common “native no-nos” that can hinder success. The session also shares practical tips and tricks for planting and maintaining native gardens. Ideal for beginners and seasoned designers alike, this webinar offers clear guidance for thriving with native plants. Whether adding showcase plants to an existing landscape or starting from scratch, understand native plant communities that work for different site conditions, how site conditions affect plant selection, which plants are proven winners, and what to expect as gardens mature. Speaker:Amanda Arnold, Landscape Architect, Owner at PlanIt Landscape PerspectivesAmanda currently owns her own landscape architecture business, PlanIt Landscape Perspectives, LLC, concentrating on eco-focused design and education for public and private works. She is a licensed Landscape Architect, carries a LEED AP with a BD+C specialty and SITES AP certification, a Green Shield Certified for Landscapes Evaluator for the IPM Institute, and is an Adjunct Faculty at College of DuPage. She also currently facilitates a zero profit Early Education Forest Camp: Little Explorers, for her local community. Her past design-build experience has helped her focus her passion and enhance native and natural spaces, management, and educational engagement.   Learn more about the Conservation@Home Professional Training: Small-Scale Native Landscapes workshops here!   Thanks to our sponsor:

Dayton Bluffs Preserve Workday

Dayton Bluffs Preserve WorkdaySaturday, February 14th8:00am – 12:00pm 2997 IL-71Ottawa, IL 61350   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 Day......More

Dayton Bluffs Preserve WorkdaySaturday, February 14th8:00am – 12:00pm 2997 IL-71Ottawa, IL 61350   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 [email protected].  

Dayton Bluffs Preserve, 2997 Illinois Route 71, Ottawa, IL, 61350, United States

A River Flows Through It

A River Flows Through ItThe Roaring 20s: Prohibition Era in the Fox River Valley A Fox River Program SeriesAll Programs are Free7:00 – 8:00pm Baker Community Center101 S. 2nd StreetSt. Charles, IL 60174   In Partnership With:The River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles......More

A River Flows Through ItThe Roaring 20s: Prohibition Era in the Fox River Valley A Fox River Program SeriesAll Programs are Free7:00 – 8:00pm Baker Community Center101 S. 2nd StreetSt. Charles, IL 60174   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. The Roaring 20s: Prohibition Era in the Fox River ValleyChris Linden, Hughes MediaEvery region has its historical legends and fantastical stories, and our communities are no exception. What’s fact and what’s fiction? Chris Linden, executive editor of Northwest Quarterly and Northwest Living Magazines, will explore the history (and tales) of the Fox River Valley during the 1920s, from the legendary hideouts, real-life haunts, and surprising stories of notorious people.   Series ScheduleWednesday, January 21stMajestic Migrators: the Sandhill CranesBy Amber Ross, Forest Preserve District of Kane County Wednesday, February 18thThe Roaring 20s: Prohibition Era in the Fox River ValleyBy Chris Linden, Hughes Media Wednesday, March 18thQuiet Wings of the Watershed: Butterflies and Moths of the Fox River ValleyBy Pam Otto, Kane County Naturalist Wednesday, April 15thCoyotes Among Us: The Urban Coyote Research ProjectBy Shane McKenzie, Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation   In partnership with:  

Baker Community Center, 101 S. 2nd Street, St. Charles, IL, 60174

Membership & Awards Luncheon

2026 Annual Membership & Awards LuncheonThursday, February 19th11:30am — 2:00pm Chicago Marriott Naperville1801 N Naper BoulevardNaperville, IL 60563   Our President/CEO Brook McDonald will present “The State of The Conservation Foundation” and highlight mission impact......More

2026 Annual Membership & Awards LuncheonThursday, February 19th11:30am — 2:00pm Chicago Marriott Naperville1801 N Naper BoulevardNaperville, IL 60563   Our President/CEO Brook McDonald will present “The State of The Conservation Foundation” and highlight mission impacts made possible by your support, current opportunities, and what we are focusing on in the months ahead. We’ll also be celebrating the conservation heroes in our midst. We hope you will join us to share this time with others who care for local nature! Save your spot before registration closes on February 12th!   It is our honor to recognize these individuals and organizations who are doing outstanding conservation work in our communities: Betty Bradshaw Golden Acorn Award: Maura NeufferSalt Smart Community Award: The City of EvanstonConservation@Home Award: Joe and Sue LeCroyConservation Partner Award: Fox Valley Park DistrictPaul Butler Memorial Award: Marta KeaneTom Weisner Memorial Award: Mavis Bates  Agenda11:30am: Registration12:00pm: Lunch Served1:00pm: Program2:00pm: Close   We hope you will join us to share this time with others who care for local nature!   Thanks to our sponsors:          

The Fox River: Our Hidden Gem

The Fox River: Our Hidden GemGrowing Food for Nature and People: Agroecology 101 A Fox River Presentation SeriesAll Programs are Free7:00 — 8:00pm Yorkville Public Library902 Game Farm RoadYorkville, IL 60560 Organized By:The Conservation Foundation’s Kendall County Ad......More

The Fox River: Our Hidden GemGrowing Food for Nature and People: Agroecology 101 A Fox River Presentation SeriesAll Programs are Free7:00 — 8:00pm Yorkville Public Library902 Game Farm RoadYorkville, IL 60560 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. Growing Food for Nature and People: Agroecology 101By Connie Kollmeyer, The Conservation FoundationFood is at the base of what people and wildlife both need. Agroecology educator, Connie Kollmeyer, will provide guidance on how both can thrive in your home garden or space, mutually benefiting from a healthy environment and further supporting the Fox River.   Series Schedule Wednesday, January 28thFeathered Friends of the Fox: Birds Across Local HabitatsBy Scott Johnson, Forest Foundation of Kendall CountyRegister here Wednesday, February 25thGrowing Food for Nature and People: Agroecology 101By Connie Kollmeyer, The Conservation FoundationRegister here Wednesday, March 25thRiverine Friend or Foe: Living with American BeaversBy Rachel Siegel and Jeff Boland-Prom, Illinois Beaver AllianceRegister here Wednesday, April 22ndRooted in Trouble: The Impact of Invasive Plant SpeciesBy Sam Kilgore, Local Land StewardRegister here  

Yorkville Public Library, 902 Game Farm Road, Yorkville, IL, 60560, United States

Beyond the Basics

Beyond the Basics 2026:Navigating Stormwater Challenges in a Variable ClimateThursday, February 26th8:30am – 12:00pm   This year’s Beyond the Basics Stormwater Conference will delve into innovative strategies for managing stormwater in a variable climate. As communities......More

Beyond the Basics 2026:Navigating Stormwater Challenges in a Variable ClimateThursday, February 26th8:30am – 12:00pm   This year’s Beyond the Basics Stormwater Conference will delve into innovative strategies for managing stormwater in a variable climate. As communities face the multifaceted impacts of climate variability, urbanization, more frequent and intense storms, and prolonged drought, this conference will equip professionals with the knowledge to design resilient, forward-thinking stormwater infrastructure. Targeted at stormwater professionals and decision-makers, expert speakers will share updates on tools for assessing and mitigating emerging risks, explore the latest technological advancements through real-world case studies, and discuss actionable solutions to shaping local and regional stormwater management. This free, half-day virtual seminar is sponsored by DuPage County Stormwater Management.3 Professional Development Hours are available for participants upon request.Registration is required to secure your place in shaping the future of resilient stormwater systems.   AgendaWelcome RemarksBrook McDonald, President & CEO at The Conservation Foundation   Updates from DuPage County StormwaterJim Zay, Chair at DuPage County Stormwater Management CommitteeSarah Hunn, Director at DuPage County Stormwater Management   Stormwater Management in a Variable ClimateTrent Ford, Illinois State Climatologist at Illinois State Water SurveyIntense rainfall and quick shifts between excessively wet and excessively dry weather are very challenging to manage across Illinois. We’ll discuss variability and non-stationarity in our precipitation climatology, and considerations for managing stormwater, flooding, and drought in this complex environment.   Strategies to Future-Proof our Communities for a Variable ClimateKelsey Pudlock, Senior Planner, Regional Policy and Implementation at Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)Kate Evasic, Program Lead, Climate Resilience, Regional Policy & Implementation at Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)Climate variability is fueling more frequent and intense storms, making flooding the most significant climate hazard to our region’s homes, businesses, and infrastructure. This session will introduce the latest updates to the Flood Susceptibility Index and Transportation Resilience Improvement Plan, offering new data and tools to communicate potential flood risk and identify solutions.   Enhancing Water Quality and Saving Money with AI-Driven IntelligenceKevin Flis, Client Solutions Manager at Xylem VueThe City of Richmond, Virginia has been working with stakeholders to improve water quality in the James River. One of the innovative solutions deployed by Richmond is the Xylem Vue real-time decision support system. The Xylem Vue solution allows Richmond to integrate data from distributed sensors and databases, visualize real-time performance, predict future conditions, and provide operational recommendations. It also provides Richmond the ability to share this data with their constituents through a public facing dashboard. With this innovative approach, the City of Richmond is progressing toward meeting their water quality requirements, will reduce their combined overflows by 182 MG annually, and has reduced the projected cost of future infrastructure improvements by $725M.   Journey to a Smart Watershed: Modeling Real-Time Controls in Carol StreamMatt Vajdic at OptiThis presentation outlines Carol Stream’s journey toward a Smart Watershed by evaluating the performance and feasibility of Continuous Monitoring and Adaptive Control retrofits across its existing detention network. Using detailed hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, we quantify how real-time controls can increase effective storage, reduce downstream peak flows, and enhance water-quality outcomes without costly structural expansion. The results provide Carol Stream with a flexible, data-driven path to advancing stormwater resilience.   Ditch Your Ditch – Incorporate Bioswales into the Right-of-WayJulie Lomax, PE, CFM at the Village of Downers GroveDoes your community have roadside ditches that are constantly wet or difficult to mow? Would you like to attract more birds, bees, and butterflies? Would you like to beautify your right-of-way? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, consider incorporating bioswales into your roadside ditches.Bioswales can reduce stormwater runoff, improve water quality, reduce mosquitoes, and replenish groundwater levels. Plus, the deep-rooted native plants are drought tolerant and require less overall maintenance. As an added bonus, bioswales can help achieve Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System goals.In 2011, Downers Grove, Illinois, started the Green Streets Program, a public/private partnership for bioswales in roadside ditches. After a tenuous start, the program has gained popularity. With over 50 bioswales planted to date and an ever-growing waitlist, the bioswales are booming. Learn about the ups and downs of the bioswale program– what has worked and what we “ditched.” Leave with tools to transform your roadside ditches into beautiful, beneficial bioswales.   Thanks to our sponsors:        

DuPage County-Wide Institute Day Workshop

DuPage County-Wide Institute Day Workshop:This is Wild!Friday, February 27th8:00am — 2:00pm Mayslake Peabody Estate1717 31st StOak Brook, IL 60523 Join The Conservation Foundation and DuPage Children’s Museum for a unique professional development opportunity focused on......More

DuPage County-Wide Institute Day Workshop:This is Wild!Friday, February 27th8:00am — 2:00pm Mayslake Peabody Estate1717 31st StOak Brook, IL 60523 Join The Conservation Foundation and DuPage Children’s Museum for a unique professional development opportunity focused on cultivating connections to nature in and around your schoolyard (and beyond!). Designed for K–8 teachers, this session provides practical strategies for integrating natural phenomena into curriculum by bringing the outdoors into the classroom and engaging with the natural elements of schoolyard spaces. Participants will gain the skills and tools to promote student engagement, critical thinking, and social-emotional development through experiences grounded in the natural world. This workshop is offered as part of the DuPage County Regional Office of Education’s County-wide Institute Day, and is free to attend, but space is limited. Perks: Stipends for attending teachers from participating Might Acorns schoolsMeals, including coffee, a light breakfast, and lunch will be servedPlease contact us with any dietary restrictions so we can plan an inclusive menu for allISBE clock hours for certified teachersThanks to our sponsor:  

O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve Workday

O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve WorkdayRomeoville, IL Saturday, February 28th9:00 — 11:00am   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......More

O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve WorkdayRomeoville, IL Saturday, February 28th9:00 — 11:00am   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 [email protected]. 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.  

O’Hara Woods, Beverly J Griffin Dr, Romeoville, IL, 60446, United States

Conservation On Tap

Next Gen Advisory Council’s Conservation On TapTuesday, March 3rd6:00 — 8:00pm   Bubblehouse Brewing Company2121 Ogden AveUnit ALisle, IL 60532   Registration is NOT required! Conservation on Tap is a series hosted by The Conservation Foundation’s Next Gen Advisory Coun......More

Next Gen Advisory Council’s Conservation On TapTuesday, March 3rd6:00 — 8:00pm   Bubblehouse Brewing Company2121 Ogden AveUnit ALisle, IL 60532   Registration is NOT required! Conservation on Tap is a series hosted by The Conservation Foundation’s Next Gen Advisory Council. It is designed to introduce folks to different aspects of local conservation and provide an opportunity for networking in a casual, drop-in setting. A different guest speaker provides a quick presentation on a conservation topic, usually focused on different career tracks available for those looking to work in this industry. Join us at Bubblehouse Brewing Company in Lisle the first Tuesday of the month from October through March!   Sponsored by:  

Bubblehouse Brewing Company, 2121 Ogden Ave, Unit A, Lisle, IL, 60532, United States