Chapter Events

The Walnut Grove community in South Bend maintains a  10 acre native plant and wildlife habitat. Please arrive at 10am for a guided tour of this unique property.  Cars should park on 29th street and meet at the Habitat sign on the corner of N 27th Street and E Colfax.  

Dr. Spencer Cortwright of Indiana University Northwest will join us to chat about our local amphibians.  

Each spring, amphibians bring great joy as they seem to suddenly emerge from a frozen hinterland—but what are their lives really like throughout the year and across their entire life cycle?  We'll learn about the lives and seasonal rhythms of Midwest amphibians. From breeding migrations to overwintering strategies, this engaging presentation will deepen your understanding of these often-overlooked animals. We hope that the next time you encounter an amphibian in the wild, your mind and soul will fully engage with that animal!

What does it really take to turn a conventional lawn into a thriving native meadow? Join Owner & Principal, New Directions in the American Landscape (NDAL), Sara Weaner Cooper for a candid look at her family's ongoing lawn-to-meadow transformation featured in The New York Times and BBC. Drawing from three years of hands-on experience, Sara will share the methods, lessons learned, successes, and challenges of converting turfgrass into a dynamic native plant community. Participants will gain practical insights into site preparation, planting, management, and the ecological principles that guide successful meadow establishment, along with realistic expectations for how these landscapes evolve over time.

Registration link coming soon.

Purchase native plants from local nurseries and talk to our community partners.

John Brittenham of Blue Heron Restoration: “Fire Dependent Ecosystems”

Bats are among the most important and misunderstood wildlife in our communities. Join experts from Bat Conservation International to explore how native plants, healthy insect populations, and thoughtful landscape design can help support bats. Learn about the ecological role of bats and discover practical ways to create habitat for North America's night flyers right in your own backyard.

Presenter: Indiana's State Botanist, Scott Namestneck

Zoe Evans, rewilding coach and VP of Partnerships & Programs at Wildr shares a practical, science-informed framework for evaluating a home landscape, identifying its greatest habitat opportunities, and choosing actions that support more plants, insects, birds, and other wildlife.

Registration link coming soon.

No yard required. Learn how native plants can turn patios, balconies, containers, and other small spaces into meaningful habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. This practical panel will cover plant selection, container design, seasonal care, and realistic ways to support biodiversity in limited spaces.

Registration link coming soon.

Birds depend on healthy, connected habitats for food, shelter, nesting, and migration support. Join experts from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to explore how native plants and thoughtful landscape choices can support birdlife at home. Learn how gardens, yards, and community spaces can provide the insects, seeds, berries, cover, and habitat structure birds need throughout the year.

Registration link coming soon. 

Monarch butterflies depend on a network of habitats stretching across North America, and home landscapes can play an important role in their survival. Join experts from Monarch Joint Venture to explore the science behind monarch conservation, including the importance of milkweed, nectar resources, and regionally appropriate habitat. Learn practical ways to support monarchs through native landscaping and help sustain one of the world's most remarkable migrations.
 

Registration link coming soon.