Name: Pollinators in Your Preserves
Start: 2026-12-08T17:00:00-06:00

The Lake County Forest Preserve District ecologists began monitoring the relationships between plants and pollinators in 2023 as part of their overall ecological monitoring efforts. Learn about the Plant-Pollinator Monitoring Program, results from the first few years and how preserve ecologists use the monitoring efforts to inform future restoration and conservation strategies. Applications to natural landscaping and native plant recommendations to support pollinator habitat will also be discussed.
Presented by: Dan Sandacz, Lake County Forest Preserve District Restoration Ecologist

Local Event: Pollinators in Your Preserves 

Lake County

Amie Schaenzer

Chicago Metropolitan Area

Grayslake

Illinois

Pollinators in Your Preserves 

The Lake County Forest Preserve District ecologists began monitoring the relationships between plants and pollinators in 2023...

State Bank of the Lakes, Grayslake

In the quiet shade where sunlight softens and the air grows cool; Hostas unfurl like gentle green sculptures. With thousands of hybrids in every hue and texture, they offer a palette as varied as a painter's dreams -- rippled, cupped, blue-tinged, gold-washed, or edged in white like a leaf dipped in moonlight. Their diversity ensures a place for Hostas in every garden, from grand borders to humble corners where beauty prefers to whisper.
In this program, Tamara Block will guide us through the story of Hostas -- their origins, their cultivation, their many personalities -- and how to weave them gracefully into our landscapes. She'll share design insights, favorite varieties, and ways to let Hostas shine in containers or shade gardens. A handout will offer lists of beloved and award-winning cultivars, along with Hostas chosen for special uses.
Tamara's path began in academia, with a BA and MA in Advertising and a PhD in Mass Media from Michigan State University. She taught graduate students at Northwestern University before joining her husband in Block Research, Inc., where she helped companies like IBM and Levy understand the people they serve. Today, she brings that same curiosity and clarity to her garden life. As a longtime member of the Garden Guild of Highland Park, Tamara blends scholarship, creativity, and a deep love of plants -- especially the quiet elegance of Hostas.
MEETING PLACE NOTES: Doors open at 6:30 PM at the State Bank of the Lakes (Community Room, lower level). Cost is free and open to the public. Light snacks and beverages will be served. 
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