January

January 9

Thursday, 7-9 p.m.

Bolingbrook Garden Club

1251 Windham Parkway

Romeoville, IL

Free and Open to the Public! 

January 19

Sunday, 2 p.m.

With co-presenter Rita Hassert, Library Collections Manager (The Morton Arboretum)

Lisle Heritage Society

Location: The Lisle Library

777 Front Street

Lisle, IL

(Open to the public. Click below to see how to join!)

THE TALLGRASS PRAIRIE: A CONVERSATION

January 30

Thursday, 9-11:30 a.m.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum

Curtis Prairie Visitor Center--Auditorium

Madison, WI

February 10

Monday, 11:30am-12:30pm

Village Gardeners of Hinsdale

Hinsdale Public Library

Hinsdale, IL

(Closed Event)

February 13

Thursday, 8-9pm

Park Ridge Garden Club

Centennial Activity Center

100 South Western Avenue

Park Ridge, IL

Open to the Public!

February 16

Sunday, 2-3 p.m.

Prairie Path Books Local Author Celebration

Sunday, February 16, 2-3 p.m.

Prairie Path Books

255 Town Square

Wheaton, IL

Free and Open to the Public!

Prairie Path Books is proud to celebrate local authors and their books. Come meet and mingle with Cindy and more than twenty other writers to share their story and process and final product.  Books will be available for you to purchase!  Call (630) 765-7455 for more details. 

February 22

Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Morton Arboretum

Lisle, IL

Spend a day immersed in nature with guided writing and art workshops. Set aside time to disconnect from the day-to-day and focus on connecting with the natural world through writing and art. Morning and afternoon sessions will explore nature journaling, sketching, paying attention, creative writing skills, and more. Choose the sessions that interest you most! Learn from professional writers and artists, enjoy lunch (included in the program cost) take in the wintry surrounds of the Arboretum, cozy up by the fire with a warm beverage, and explore nature with fellow creatives.

(Update: Sold Out! Click below for more info --call to be put on the waiting list.

February 29

Saturday

10-11 a.m.

Aurora Public Library

101 South River

Aurora, IL

Open to the Public

Join Cindy Crosby, author of The Tallgrass Prairie: An Introduction and co-author of Tallgrass Conversations, to discover the  history of the tallgrass prairie, explore the stories of its amazing  creatures, and learn about native prairie plant uses.

*****

Tuesday, March 3, 2020: Online component begins

in-person (UPDATE 3/13--THE IN-PERSON CLASSES ARE MOVING ONLINE); Three Tuesdays, March 10, 24, and April 7, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

The Morton Arboretum

Lisle, IL

NOTE: This is a six-week course in which you will both complete assignments online and attend in-person class sessions. You  will receive a course link on the first day of class, at which point  you will log in to begin coursework before coming to the Arboretum for  your first in-person class meeting. Additional online coursework will  follow to supplement your in-person class sessions.

Whether you’re a blogger, a novelist, a poet, or simply enjoy keeping  a personal journal, writing is a fun and meaningful way to deepen your  connection to the natural world. Through weekly online assignments and  in-person class sessions, you will:

• Learn from the masters by reading classic nature  writing--non-fiction, fiction, poetry and more--and dig into it to see  what makes it work.
• Learn to engage  your audience through your choices as a writer and develop your personal voice.
• Hone your writing skills by  practicing a variety of nature writing techniques.
• Cultivate the habit of writing regularly.
• Learn how to give and receive constructive critique.

The same qualities of good writing apply to everything from  blogs to books. No matter your background or interest, join us, and  become the writer you always dreamed you could be! 

*****!

March 12

Thursday, 10am-12noon

Leafing Through the Pages Book Club

The Morton Arboretum

Lisle, IL

Open to the Public (*Normal Arboretum admission fees apply)

March 13  -- (WATCH FOR NEW DATE)

Friday, 9-11:30 a.m.

The Morton Arboretum

Lisle, IL

(Open to Morton Arboretum Dragonfly Monitors Only)

For more information, contact Cindy at phrelanzer@aol.com

March 14   -- (WATCH FOR A NEW DATE!)

Saturday, 9-11:30 a.m.

Nachusa Grasslands

Franklin Grove, IL

Open to new and experienced dragonfly monitors, prairie stewards, and the public, but you must register by March 1. Contact phrelanzer@aol.com for more information. 

March 15 & March 22 (WATCH FOR A NEW DATE!)

Sunday, 9-10am

Faith Lutheran Church

Glen Ellyn, IL

Free and Open to the Public

March 16  (WATCH FOR A NEW DATE!)

8-9 p.m.

Suburban Garden Club

Community House of Hinsdale

415 West 8th

Hinsdale, IL

Book signing follows

Free and Open to the Public

NATURE AS A SPIRITUAL WINDOW (UPDATE: HAS BEEN POSTPONED)

March 21 (WATCH FOR A NEW DATE!)

9:30-11 a.m.

Chicagoland Church Librarians

Park Ridge, IL

(Closed Event)

TALLGRASS PRAIRIE ECOLOGY ONLINE (SOLD OUT! CALL FOR WAITING LIST)

Begins online March 26

Through The Morton Arboretum

Digitally explore the intricacies of the tallgrass prairie landscape and  learn how to restore these signature American ecosystems. Look at the  history of this unique type of grassland from the descent of glaciers  over the Midwest millions of years ago, to the introduction of John  Deere’s famous plow, to where we are today. We will examine different  types of prairie, explore the plant and animal communities of the  prairie and discuss strategies specific to restoring prairies in this  engaging online course. Come away with a better understanding of  prairies, and key insights into how to restore their beauty.

April 16 (WATCH FOR NEW DATE, COMING SOON!)

Thursday, 7-8:30 p.m.

Friends of the Green Bay Trail

Glenco Public Library

320 Park Avenue

Glenco, IL

April 23 (POSTPONED, WATCH FOR NEW DATE)

Thursday, 8:30-11 a.m.

The Morton Arboretum

Lisle, IL

Enjoy a walk in the woods, learning ID tips and stories of spring wildflowers with Cindy. 

April 25 (POSTPONED, WATCH FOR NEW DATE)

Saturday, 8:30-11am

The Morton Arboretum

Lisle, IL

Enjoy a walk in the woods, learning ID tips and stories of spring wildflowers with Cindy. 

Friday, April 17

1-2:30 p.m. CST

Are you missing your walks in the woods and on the prairie? Need some distraction from the news? Join me for Illinois' Wild and Wonderful Wildflowers Webinar with The Morton Arboretum. Spring wildflowers are blooming--even if we can't get to them during our sheltering in place. Enjoy seeing beautiful images of wildflowers as you learn  about these early bloomers. Hear stories about how wildflowers have been used historically as edibles, love charms, and medicine by Native  Americans and early settlers in this FREE webinar. Learn about early  pollinators who use these plants, and discover how wildflowers feature  in our state’s history, poetry, and literature.

Register by clicking the green button below, then following instructions from The Morton Arboretum.

April 21

Wednesday, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

"The Nature of Conservation"

Hosted by Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Moderated Panel Discussion

SOLD OUT -- Course is full. Register now for Cindy's June class

May 4

Monday

(Offered by the Morton Arboretum)

Learn at home about the Midwest's amazing landscape, The Tallgrass Prairie! Enjoy interacting on the discussion boards and in a ZOOM session with other people who love the prairie landscape. 

Thursday, May 7

Evening Hike Begins at 5:30 p.m.

Watch for updates coming soon!

Through The Morton Arboretum

Through the Morton Arboretum

Friday, May 8

1-2:30 p.m. CST

Spring on the prairie is a story of color, pollinator pizazz, and native  plants that shaped North American history through their value as  edibles, medicine, and even love charms! Join prairie steward and author  Cindy Crosby for a walk through the spring prairie and enjoy colorful  photos of some of Illinois' most beautiful blooms---and a few native  grasses, too!

 May 14

Thursday

Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area

(Closed Event)

June 1

Monday, 11am-12:30pm

Join Cindy for 90 minutes of jump-starting your nature journal writing. Register by clicking here:

https://www.mortonarb.org/courses/week-wellness-online

TALLGRASS PRAIRIE ECOLOGY ONLINE

June 7 (60 days to complete the course)

Digitally explore the intricacies of the tallgrass prairie landscape and  learn how to restore these signature American ecosystems. Look at the  history of this unique type of grassland from the descent of glaciers  over the Midwest millions of years ago, to the introduction of John  Deere’s famous plow, to where we are today. We will examine different  types of prairie, explore the plant and animal communities of the  prairie and discuss strategies specific to restoring prairies in this  engaging online course. Come away with a better understanding of  prairies, and key insights into how to restore their beauty.

Register here:https://www.mortonarb.org/courses/tallgrass-prairie-ecology-online-only

DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES:FREQUENT FLIERS OF THE GARDEN 

(POSTPONED UNTIL 2021)

June 10

Wednesday, 6:30-8 p.m.

Rolling Meadows Garden Club

Community Center

3705 Pheasant Drive

Rolling Meadows, IL

Book signing afterwards 

Free and Open to the Public!

June 14

Sunday, 2-3 p.m.

The Chicagoland Daylily Society

The Community House

415 West 8th Street

Hinsdale, IL

Book signing afterwards

Free and Open to the Public!

June 26

Friday

Elgin Garden Club

The Morton Arboretum

Lisle, IL

(Closed Event)

THIS EVENT IS MOVING ONLINE AS A WEBINAR!

June 27

Saturday, 10-11:30 a.m.

The Morton Arboretum

Lisle, IL

Author and artist lecture and booksigning

with Field Museum artist-in-residence and Art Institute adjunct professor Peggy Macnamara, illustrator of the book. Visit Peggy's website at www.peggymacnamara.com

Drawing on her experiences as a natural history instructor, dragonfly monitor, cancer survivor, grandmother, and steward, Crosby tells the stories of dragonflies: their roles in poetry and art, their fascinating sex life—unique within the animal kingdom—and their evolution from dark-water dwellers to denizens of the air. We follow Crosby and other community scientists into the prairies, wetlands, and woodlands of the Midwest, where they observe the environment and chronicle dragonfly populations and migration to decipher critical clues about our changing waterways and climate.

Woven throughout are personal stories: reflections on the author’s cancer diagnosis and recovery, change, loss, aging, family, joy, and discovering what it means to be at home in the natural world. Crosby draws an intimate portrait of a landscape teeming with variety and mystery, one that deserves our attention and conservation. As warm as it is informative, this book will interest gardeners, readers of literary nonfiction, and anyone intrigued by transformation, whether in nature or our personal lives.

June 27

Saturday, 12-1p.m.

The Morton Arboretum

Lisle, IL

Chase dragonflies with Cindy Crosby, dragonfly monitor and author of the book Chasing Dragonflies: A Natural, Cultural, and Personal History. Take an easy, one-hour stroll along Lake Marmo’s paved paths with the author to spot dragonflies and damselflies in their natural habitat. Space is limited.

July 8 and July 10

Wednesday and Friday, 10 am-noon (two sessions, with independent field day between)

offered through The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL

Begin your exploration of dragonflies  and damselflies by learning about their natural and cultural history. Review some basic ID tips, and see beautiful images of these gorgeous creatures of the air and water. Discover resources that will make ID'ing them more easy. Ask questions and boost your knowledge and appreciation for dragonflies and damselflies! The day between the two sessions is for you to go out in the field and apply your knowledge -- then come back with questions. Fun and informative!

DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES: THE GARDEN'S FREQUENT FLIERS

(NOW POSTPONED UNTIL 2021; watch for new date soon!)

July 7

Tuesday, 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Crestview Garden Club

Community Bank of Elmhurst

330 W. Butterfield Rd.

Elmhurst, IL 

Book Signing follows

Free and Open to the Public

For details, email crestviewgardenclub@yahoo.com

July 13

Monday, 7-8 p.m.

Fox Valley Garden Club

West Plaza shopping mall
1921 W. Galena Blvd
Aurora, IL  60506

Book signing follows

For inquiries about attending the program or joining the club, please contact:

foxvalleygardenclub@yahoo.com

WEBINAR- DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES: THE GARDEN'S FREQUENT FLIERS

July 27

7:30-8:30 p.m.

Plum Grove Garden Club

(Members Only Event)

July 31 and August 7

All online  through The Morton Arboretum

9-11 a.m., Fridays

Two sessions (with a week between for you to hike the prairie and apply the materials. Bring your questions to the second session!)

Learn  how humans have used prairie plants on this virtual exploration with  The Morton Arboretum. The prairie once served us as pharmacy, grocery  store, fuel source, fortune teller, purveyor of love charms -- and so  much more!

Over the course of two live online sessions, you will investigate the  human dimension of the prairie. Learn about the historical and  traditional uses of many vibrant summer blooms and grasses.

Online sessions are highly engaging, with the opportunity to interact  with your instructor and classmates.bIn between class meetings,  continue your learning with an independent assignment that can be done  from home or in nearby nature.

August 11 (NOW MOVED ONLINE TO SEPTEMBER 1)

Tuesday, 7-8:30 p.m.

Lake to Prairie Wild Ones

(Wild Ones Event)

This event has moved online

August 16 

Sunday, 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Wild Ones of Cook County

THIS EVENT HAS MOVED ONLINE

(Postponed)

August 20

Thursday, 7-8:30 p.m.

McHenry Garden Club

McHenry, IL

(Members Only --CLOSED EVENT)

September 2 (60 days to complete the course)

Digitally explore the intricacies of the tallgrass prairie landscape and  learn how to restore these signature American ecosystems. Look at the  history of this unique type of grassland from the descent of glaciers  over the Midwest millions of years ago, to the introduction of John  Deere’s famous plow, to where we are today. We will examine different  types of prairie, explore the plant and animal communities of the  prairie and discuss strategies specific to restoring prairies in this  engaging online course. Come away with a better understanding of  prairies, and key insights into how to restore their beauty. Post to the discussion boards and virtually "meet" other students across the nation involved in prairie restoration. Enjoy a mid-course ZOOM meeting to talk about prairies, learn about resources, and ask questions about the materials.

Register here:https://www.mortonarb.org/courses/tallgrass-prairie-ecology-online-only

Wild Ones Lake to Prairie

Tuesday, September 1

7-8 p.m.

Online only

For more information, contact Wild Ones Lake to Prairie at 

https://laketoprairie.wildones.org/

ONLINE: THE TALLGRASS PRAIRIE: GROCERY STORE, APOTHECARY, and LOVE CHARM SHOP

Wednesday, September 9

Garden Club of Oak Park and River Forest

1 - 2 p.m.

ONLINE

THE TALLGRASS PRAIRIE: ILLINOIS ORIGINAL GARDEN

(THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED)

*****September 10

Thursday, 9:30-10:30 am

Hilltop Gardeners Garden Club

Oswego Public Library

32 West Jefferson Street

Oswego, IL

Booksigning follows

Free and Open to the Public

A TALLGRASS CONVERSATION (ONLINE)

Conservation Cocktails with Lake Forest Open Lands

September 11

Visit: https://www.lfola.org/tallgrass-conversation for details! Free, but donations are encouraged.

ONLINE PRESENTATION: THE TALLGRASS PRAIRIE: GROCERY STORE, APOTHECARY, and LOVE CHARM SHOP

September 21

7 pm

Suburban Garden Club

Hinsdale, IL

September 24

7-8:30 p.m.

Wild Ones of Northern Kane County

THIS EVENT HAS MOVED ONLINE!

For information on this event, visit: https://northernkanecounty.wildones.org/ and subscribe to their email newsletter.

*****

*****

TALLGRASS PRAIRIE GRASSES-AN UNPLUGGED, ONLINE ADVENTURE

October 4, 4-5:30 p.m.

Katy Prairie Conservancy

Houston, Texas

For more information, visit https://www.katyprairie.org/get-involved-1?view=calendar&month=10-2020

Open to the public, $5 registration fee

NATURE WRITING (ONLINE)

October 5 through November 9

Monday evenings, 6:30-9pm; three Zoom sessions live and online curriculum and assignments between.

Through The Morton Arboretum

Registration coming soon!

DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES: FREQUENT FLIERS OF THE GARDEN

October 8

Bolingbrook Garden Club

6-7:30 p.m.

(GARDEN CLUB MEMBERS ONLY)

NOW ONLINE! 

DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES: FREQUENT FLIERS OF THE WILD GARDEN

October 15

Thursday, 7-8:30 p.m.

Wild Ones of Greater DuPage 

This event has moved online. Contact Wild Ones for details.

THIS EVENT HAS MOVED ONLINE!

October 27

7:15-8:30 p.m.

Garden Club of Villa Park

305 Ardmore Avenue

Villa Park, IL

A Tallgrass Talk (THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED)

Wednesday, October 28

11:30am-12:30pm

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, IL

Free and open to the public!

Details coming soon!

A Tallgrass Talk (THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED)

Thursday, October 29

11:30am-12:30 pm

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, IL

Free and open to the public!

Details coming soon!

NOVEMBER

THE TALLGRASS PRAIRIE: AN INTRODUCTION

Thursday, November 5

1:30-2:30 p.m.

Hawthorn Garden Club

Glen Ellyn, IL

ONLINE! LITERARY GARDENS

December 4

1-2:30 p.m.

The Morton Arboretum

Lisle, IL

Join master gardener and natural history writer Cindy Crosby for a fun  look at great (and not-so-great) gardens in literature and poetry. From  Agatha Christie's mystery series, to Brother Cadfael's medieval herb  garden, to Michael Pollan's garden in "Second Nature," to the "secret  garden" beloved of children's literature, there are so many gardens that  helped shape the books we love to read. Discover how gardens and garden  imagery figure in the works of Virginia Woolf, Elizabeth Goudge, Rumer  Godden, May Sarton, Mary Oliver, Elizabeth Gilbert, Henry Mitchell,  Barbara Kingsolver, and Lewis Carroll--- and many more!

REGISTRATION COMING SOON!

COMING IN 2021!  

THE TALLGRASS PRAIRIE: GROCERY STORE, APOTHECARY, and LOVE CHARM SHOP

January 22, 2021

Thursday, 1-2 p.m.

Lombard Garden Club

Details coming soon!

DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES: FREQUENT FLIERS OF THE GARDEN

February 11, 2021

7:30-8:30 p.m.

Park Ridge Garden Club

Park Ridge, IL

Details Coming Soon!

TALLGRASS CONVERSATIONS

February 16, 2021

Tuesday, 7-8 p.m.

Bloomingdale Garden Club

held at

Cornerstone Faith Community Church

118 South First Street

Bloomingdale, IL

Book Signing to Follow

DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES: A NATURAL, CULTURAL, AND PERSONAL HISTORY

March 11, 2020

10am-noon

Leafing through the Pages Book Club -- Sterling Morton Library

The Morton Arboretum

Contact the Library for Details: 630-719-2429

ONLINE: THE TALLGRASS PRAIRIE: GROCERY STORE, APOTHECARY, AND LOVE CHARM SHOP

April 6, 2021

Northbrook Garden Club

10-11 a.m.