Native Plant
Seminar Feb. 16
On
Saturday February 16, Garfield Farm Museum will hold a
series of discussions on the basics of preserving and
raising native plants of northern Illinois woods and prairie
for the back yard be it city lot or rural field. When so
much from clean air and water, pollinators of our food,
sequestration of carbon dioxide, healthy soil biota, to
wildlife and natural beauty depend on human management, no
citizen can afford to lack understanding of this complex web
of life.
Jerome
Johnson, executive director and museum biologist of Garfield
Farm Museum will begin the first discussion on locating
where native plants once grew and occur today beginning at
8:45 am. Participants will be encouraged to share their
experiences, challenges, and questions. In particular, they
should identify the township number, its range, and the
section number of their property’s location.
At
10:15 am, a presentation on over 100 native plants will
develop a sense in the participants of how to recognize
general types by their appearance, where they grow, and
season of flowering. One can learn which plants might do
best on one’s own property. Basic methods of seed collecting
and propagation of plants will be highlighted.
At
1:15 pm, Johnson will discuss the most visible tool of
native plant management, controlled burns, methods and
techniques and ways to achieve similar results without fire.
Participants will be encouraged to bring simple maps, hand
sketched or printed out from internet mapping sites, to
learn of the practically of different management techniques
for their site.
At
2:30 pm, the tools of management will be featured with a
chance to examine and handle them. Discussion of mechanical
and chemical control of invasive species will include any
requirements for permits or training.
Johnson
will share his 35 years of experience in managing the 55
acres of woods, prairie, and wetlands of Garfield Farm
Museum that sits amongst 375 acres of farmland, hedgerows,
creeks, roads, neighboring subdivisions, historic structures
and open space.
A
single session is $15, two for $25 and $45 for all four
sessions. Reservations are required. Light refreshments are
included. All day attendees should bring or go out for
lunch.
Garfield
Farm Museum is 5 miles west of Geneva, IL off ILL Rt.38 on
Garfield Road in Campton Hills, IL. For information or to
make reservations contact (630) 584-8485 or e-mail info@garfieldfarm.org.
Garfield Farm & Tavern Museum is a historically intact
375-acre former 1840s prairie farmstead and inn being
restored as an 1840s working farm. Volunteers and donors
from over 3500 households and 37 states have donated
thousands of hours of volunteer time and $12 million to save
and preserve the site.
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