January
The Tallgrass Prairie: ApothEcary, GrocERy Store & Love Shop
January 9
Thursday, 7-9 p.m.
Bolingbrook Garden Club
1251 Windham Parkway
Romeoville, IL
Free and Open to the Public!
Sterling Stories From the Arboretum Stacks
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
The Tallgrass Prairie: An Introduction
February 10
Monday, 11:30am-12:30pm
Village Gardeners of Hinsdale
Hinsdale Public Library
Hinsdale, IL
(Closed Event)
The Tallgrass Prairie: Grocery Store, Apothecary, and Love Shop
February 13
Thursday, 8-9pm
Park Ridge Garden Club
Centennial Activity Center
100 South Western Avenue
Park Ridge, IL
Open to the Public!
The Tallgrass Prairie: An Introduction and Tallgrass Conversations: In Search of the Prairie Spirit
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.
Nature Writing And Art Retreat
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.
The Tallgrass Prairie: An Introduction
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.
*****
March
Nature Writing Workshop: (UPDATE 3/13--THIS CLASS IS NOW ALL ONLINE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE COURSE)
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!
***
*****!
The Tallgrass Prairie: A Conversation
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)
Dragonfly Monitors REfresher (UPDATE: HAS BEEN POSTPONED)
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
Dragonfly Workshop (UPDATE: HAS BEEN POSTPONED)
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.
Nature as a Spiritual Window (UPDATE: HAS BEEN POSTPONED)
March 15 & March 22 (WATCH FOR A NEW DATE!)
Sunday, 9-10am
Faith Lutheran Church
Glen Ellyn, IL
Free and Open to the Public
The Tallgrass PraiRIE: Grocery Store, Apothecary, and Love Charm Shop (UPDATE: Has Been PostPONED)
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
THe Tallgrass Prairie: Grocery Store, Apothecary, and Love Shop (UPDATE: HAS BEEN POSTPONED)
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
Spring Wildflower Hike in the Woods
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.
Spring Wildflower Hike in the Woods
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.
FREE! ONLINE WEBINAR--Illinois' Wild and Wonderful Wildflowers
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.
OnLine "The NAture of Conservation"
April 21
Wednesday, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
"The Nature of Conservation"
Hosted by Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Moderated Panel Discussion
May
Tallgrass Prairie Ecology Online
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.
WildFlower Walk on the Schulenberg Prairie and Savanna--POSTPONED
Thursday, May 7
Evening Hike Begins at 5:30 p.m.
Watch for updates coming soon!
Through The Morton Arboretum
ONLINE--WEBINAR --ENCHANTING SPRING PRAIRIE WILDFLOWERS
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!
The Illinois Tallgrass Prairie (ONLINE)
May 14
Thursday
Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area
(Closed Event)
June
NAtuRE JOURNALING ONLINE
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!
Dragonflies and Damselflies: Frequent Fliers of the Garden (THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED UNTIL 2021
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!
A Walk on the Prairie (THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED uNTIL 2021)
June 26
Friday
Elgin Garden Club
The Morton Arboretum
Lisle, IL
(Closed Event)
Chasing Dragonflies: A Natural, Cultural, and Personal History
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.
Dragonfly Stroll: THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED
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
Introduction to DragonfLY and Damselfly ID WEBINAR
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
Dragonflies and Damselflies: The Garden's Frequent Fliers (POSTPONED)
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:
WEBINAR- DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES: THE GARDEN'S FREQUENT FLIERS
July 27
7:30-8:30 p.m.
Plum Grove Garden Club
(Members Only Event)
PRAIRIE ETHNOBOTANY: HOW PEOPLE USE PLANTS OVER TIME--WEBINAR**
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
WEBINAR! Dragonflies and Damselflies: Frequent Fliers of the Wild Garden
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
WEBINAR --Dragonflies and Damselflies: Frequent Fliers of the wild Garden
August 16
Sunday, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Wild Ones of Cook County
THIS EVENT HAS MOVED ONLINE
******
DRAgonflies and Damselflies: The Garden's Frequent Fliers
(Postponed)
August 20
Thursday, 7-8:30 p.m.
McHenry Garden Club
McHenry, IL
(Members Only --CLOSED EVENT)
September
Tallgrass Prairie Ecology Online
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
NOW ONLINE! DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES: Frequent Fliers of the WILD GardeN
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
WEBINAR --A Brief History of Trees in America
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.
*****
*****
*****
*****
October
NATURE WRITING --ALL ONLINE
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.
How To Make Your Garden Dragonfly Friendly
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.