Chapter Calendar

This year Project Wingspan makes it easier for volunteers to get trained, certified, and outdoors collecting seeds! These are usually three-hour events with the first hour focusing on training and certifying volunteers, the remaining hour or two are for seed collecting. I will be conducting these events, training volunteers in BMPs and safe, sound native wildflower seed collection as well as plant ID. After the training, all volunteers will sign hold-harmless waivers and become certified.

Project Wingspan is a multi-year, Midwestern initiative to expand and enhance pollinator habitat with volunteer-collected, local native wildflower seeds. This project is conducted by Pollinator Partnership and funded by a grant from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Every year, Project Wingspan Illinois awards locally sourced native wildflower seeds and plugs to pollinator habitat programs around Illinois. This year, collection events are scheduled in Illinois City. Events last around three hours with the first hour including training in BMPs, safety, and plant ID. Then Illinois Project Wingspan State Coordinator Eleanor Schumacher leads volunteers in native wildflower seed collection.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11th

Loud Thunder Nature Preserve:
When: Saturday, October 11th at 10 am
Where: 19406 Loud Thunder Rd, Illinois City, IL 61259
Details: We’ll meet at the Superintendent’s office

Marilyn Andress’ Prairie Rose Acres:
When: Saturday, October 11th at 2 pm"

Where: 31501 113th Ave W, Illinois City, IL 61259

Joining us for this training will be Amber Andress, who will present information on the ecology and stewardship of the prairie including  establishment, and long tern management techniques using prescribed fire.

 As we wander through this 21 acre sand prairie planting  on the Mississippi River bluff,  We will be viewing a 5 acre section planted last December, and compairing that to a 28 year old planting that include sections  being converted to scrub oak savanna.  

This unique site is also home to the fall blooming, prairie Ladies Tresses orchid that appeared following several years of fire management. 

Amber is a Biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service

Illinois - Iowa Ecological Services Field Office, in Moline "

Following seed collection,  everyone is invited to join Guardians of the Prairie & Forest and WildOnes of the QC for a social gathering at the fire pit.  Hot Dogs, chips, chili, beverage and Smores provided.  Not required but you may bring something to share.  Please bring your lawn chair.
 

Details: Sometimes Maps gives wrong directions. Here are directions coming from Illinois. 

Take Rt 92 west from Illinois City. Go 4.2 miles to 294th Street West. Turn Right, (north)(Pine Bluff church is on your left), off of Rt 92 onto 294th St W.  It will curve and become 113th Ave West.  Continue on 113th Ave, go past the "No Outlet" sign and continue to the dead end. Marilyn’s house is on the right.

Important – What to Bring:

Please be sure to bring the necessary gear:
- Wear long sleeves, long pants, perhaps a hat, bring bug spray, water to drink, clippers or scissors, gloves, and several collecting paper bags, small and grocery bag size.
- Please be cautious not to bring weed seeds into sites (they can hitchhike on shoes and clothes).
- Please also be cautious not to leave bags of collected seeds in hot cars.

Contact Illinois Project Wingspan State Coordinator Eleanor Schumacher for more information: [email protected] 

ingspan presetation