Illinois

Please see the events, club meetings, and other Illinois garden and nature related places to visit listed below.

Illinois Events:

July 26 - September 26:  Chicago.  Our free Summer Tropical Flower Show will be held in the Show House from 9 am-5 pm daily, Wednesdays until 8 pm.  Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N Central Park Ave, 773-638-1766, www.garfield-conservatory.org

July 26 - September 26: Glencoe. Take a journey throughout Scotland via the work of more than 30 renowned landscape designers and artists in this inspiring Garden exhibition. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, 847-835-8363, www.chicagobotanic.org

July 26 - January 2011: Lisle. Explore 15 dramatic sculptures of abstract root forms in our outdoor galleries. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte 53, 630-719-2468, www.mortonarb.org

July 26 - 31:  Lisle.  Examine the different shapes, sizes and colors that flowers grow.  In "Fingerprint Flowers," kids will look all around the children's Garden to find different flowers to paint.  This self-guided activity is for all ages.  Daily, 11-4 pm (weather permitting) in the Children's Garden, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte 53, 630-719-2468, www.mortonarb.org

July 26 - 31:  Lisle.  Each day you can draw a nature scene using basic shapes, discovering that some leaves grow into hearts, some trees look like triangles and some blooms look like circles.  This self-guided activity is for all ages.  11-4 pm (weather permitting) in the Children's Garden, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte 53, 630-719-2468, www.mortonarb.org

July 26 - September 30: Statewide. Register to become a Citizen Scientist from Project BudBurst. Join us in collecting important climate change data on the timing of leafing and flowering in your area. This national field campaign targets native tree and flower species across the country. With your help we will be compiling valuable environmental and climate change information around the United States. Visit www.windows.ucar.edu/citizen_science/budburst/ for more information.

July 26 - December 31: Statewide. Join the community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow). Get all the details at www.cocorahs.org 

July 28 - October 3: Glencoe. Volunteers in the Fruit and Vegetable Garden share information about each month's featured plant and encourage visitors to plant seeds or seedlings (while supplies last) to take home to their own gardens. A flyer with care information and a recipe is available. Wednesdays - Fridays, 11 am-3 pm, Saturdays & Sundays, 11 am-4 pm, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, 847-835-8363, www.chicagobotanic.org

July 31, August 1:  Glencoe.  The Cactus & Succulent Society of Greater Chicago Show & Sale will be held from 10 am-4:30 pm at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, 847-835-8363, www.chicagobotanic.org

July 31 - October 3: Glencoe. Get close to nature and discover where food comes from with fun, free activities each weekend.  Activities vary from week to week and are subject to change. Saturdays & Sundays, 11 am-4 pm, Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, 847-835-8363, www.chicagobotanic.org

August 1:  Campton Hills.  Antique Tool show and Sale, $6/adults, $2/children 12 & under, Garfield Farm Museum, 3N016 Garfield Rd, 5 miles west of Geneva, IL off ILL Rte 38 on Garfield Rd (Metra commuter service possible), 630-584-8485, www.garfieldfarm.org

August 1 - 31:  Lisle.  Make a beaded bracelet that represents the water cycle.  This self-guided activity is for all ages.  Daily, 11 am-4 pm (weather permitting), Children's Garden, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte 53, 630-719-2468, www.mortonarb.org

August 1 - 31:  Lisle.  Drop by the Children's Garden to make a rain stick, and see the difference between rainstorms.  This self-guided activity is for all ages.  Daily, 11 am-4 pm (weather permitting), Children's Garden, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte 53, 630-719-2468, www.mortonarb.org

August 7, 8:  Glencoe.  The Garden Clubs of Illinois State Show will be held from noon-4:30 pm on 8/7 and 10 am-4:30 pm on 8/8 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, 847-835-8363, www.chicagobotanic.org, www.gardenglories.org

August 7, 8:  Lisle.  Find out what's wiggling around in the water when visitors use microscopes to discover all the magnificent creatures that call Wonder Pond home in this self-guided activity.  All ages, 11 am-4 pm (weather permitting), Children's Garden, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte 53, 630-719-2468, www.mortonarb.org

August 11 - 15:  Momence.  Enjoy the 73rd annual Gladfest, www.gladfest.com

August 14, 15:  Glencoe.  Gardeners of the North Shore Show,  noon-4:30 pm on 8/14, 10 am-4:30 pm on 8/15, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, 847-835-8363, www.chicagobotanic.org

August 18:  Lisle.  Hear Amy Stewart, author of Wicked Plants, talk about the world's wickedest plants.  7-8:30 pm, Sterling Morton Library, $14/members, $21/non-members, pre-register 630-719-2468, Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte 53, www.mortonarb.org

August 20 - 22:  Glencoe.  Mid-American Bonsai Show & Sale,  noon-5 pm on 8/20, 9 am-5 pm on 8/21 & 8/22, Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, 847-835-8363, www.chicagobotanic.org

August 25 - 29:  Peotone.  Will County Fair, 710 S West St, www.willcountyfair.org

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Illinois Club Meetings:

Homewood.  The South Suburban Garden Club meets the first Thursday of each month, 7 pm, at the Dolphin Lake Club House, 183rd & Governors Hwy.  Call 708-220-7351 for additional information.

Lynwood.  The South Suburban Cage Bird Association meets the 2nd Sunday of the month in the Calvin Reformed United Church of Christ, 2895 Glenwood-Lansing Rd, Basement Banquet Rm, at 2 pm.  This club is dedicated to the protection and breeding of birds, training and exchanging ideas.  Come and meet people who share your interest in pet birds.  Call 219-864-0420 or 219-836-5079 for more information.

Oak Lawn.  The Oak Lawn Garden Club normally meets the 4th Thursday of the month (with several exceptions) from 9:30 am-noon at the Oak View Community Center, 4625 W 110th St.  Visit www.oaklawngardenclub.org for more information about the Club.

Peoria.  The Central Illinois Herpetological Society holds public meetings on the 1st Thursday of every month at Forest Park Nature Center, 7 pm.  Come share or learn about the fascinating world of amphibians and reptiles.  Contact Robert Pomazal at 309-579-3296 for more information.  5809 Forest Park Dr, 309-686-3360, www.peoriaparks.org/forest-park-nature-center

Peoria.  Peoria Audubon holds public meetings and presentations in the Forest Park Nature Center on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from September through May, 7 pm.  Everyone is welcome.  Call John Mullen at 309-686-3360 for additional information, 5809 Forest Park Dr, www.peoriaparks.org/forest-park-nature-center, www.peoriaaudubon.org

Peoria.  The local chapter of the Sierra Club holds public meetings at the Forest Park Nature Center, 5809 Forest Park Dr, on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from September through May at 7 p.m.  These meetings usually have a guest speaker followed by discussion.  The Sierra Club is America's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization.  For further information contact Joseph Laszlo at 309-637-4692, www.peoriaparks.org/forest-park-nature-center

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More garden and nature related events and activities for children and adults can be found at these places to visit in Illinois:

Arcola
Rockome Gardens
125 N County Rd 425 E
217-268-4106
www.rockome.com

Bloomington
Miller Park Zoo
1020 S Morris Ave
309-434-2250
www.cityblm.org/department.asp?dep_id=3038&menuid=2801

Brookfield
Brookfield Zoo
3300 Golf Rd
708-688-8000, 800-201-0784
www.brookfieldzoo.org

Chicago
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N Central Park Ave
312-746-5100
www.garfield-conservatory.org

Chicago
John G Shedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore Dr
312-939-2438
www.sheddaquarium.org/

Chicago
Lincoln Park Conservatory
2391 N Stockton
312-742-7736
http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/

Chicago
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark St
312-742-2000
www.lpzoo.com

Chicago
Lurie Garden
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph St
312-742-1168
www.luriegarden.org

Chicago
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 N Cannon Dr
773-755-5100
www.chias.org/

Cook County
Lake Katherine Nature Center
On Route 83,
between Harlem and Illinois Route 7
http://pages.ripco.net/~jwn/katherine.html

Glencoe
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Rd
847-835-5440
www.chicagobotanic.org

Hanna City
Wildlife Prairie State Park
3826 N Taylor Rd
309-676-0998
www.wildlifeprairiestatepark.org/

Lisle
Morton Arboretum
4100 Illinois Rte 53
630-968-0074
www.mortonarb.org

Lombard
Lilacia Park
Lombard Park District
150 S Park Ave
630-620-7322
www.lombardparks.com/parks/lilacia.htm

Monticello
Robert Allerton Park & Conference Center
515 Old Timber Rd
University of Illinois
217-333-3287
www.allerton.uiuc.edu/

Oak Park
Oak Park Conservatory
615 Garfield St
708-386-4700
www.oakparkparks.com/parks/pf_18.htm

Peoria
Forest Park Nature Center
5809 Forest Park Dr
309-686-3360
www.peoriaparks.org/forest-park-nature-center

Peoria
Luthy Botanical Garden
2218 N Prospect
309-686-3362
www.peoriaparks.org/general-information-about-luthy-botanical-garden

Petersburg
Starhill Forest Arboretum
12000 Boy Scout Trail
308-345-8122
www.starhillforest.com

Rockford
Anderson Japanese Gardens
318 Spring Creek Rd
815-229-9390
www.andersongardens.org/

Rockford
Klehm Arboretum
2715 S Main St
815-965-8146
www.klehm.org

Rock Island
Quad City Botanical Center
2525 Fourth Ave
309-794-0991
www.qcgardens.com/

South Holland
Sand Ridge Nature Center
15890 Paxton Ave
708-868-0606
http://fpdcc.com/tier3.php?content_id=19&file=cnr_19d

Springfield
Washington Park Botanical Garden
1740 W Fayette Ave
217-753-6228
www.springfieldparks.org/facilities/botanical/

Streator
Weber House and Garden
1503 N Baker St
815-672-8327
www.weberhouseandgarden.com

Wheaton
Cantigny Botanical Gardens
1S151 Winfield Rd
630-668-5161
www.cantigny.org
Please contact us three weeks in advance to have your Illinois garden/nature related events posted here.

This page is updated weekly.

Revised:  July 26, 2010