Natural Communities - Native Plant Nut

Native woodland restoration in northern Illinois with oak trees and understory plants

Consultation Spotlight: From Honeysuckle to Hab...

Restoring a Small Woodland Lot for Biodiversity When a northern Illinois landowner reached out to our team, her goal was simple but inspiring: transform her 0.8-acre wooded lot into a...

Consultation Spotlight: From Honeysuckle to Hab...

Restoring a Small Woodland Lot for Biodiversity When a northern Illinois landowner reached out to our team, her goal was simple but inspiring: transform her 0.8-acre wooded lot into a...

Consultation Spotlight: How One Illinois Landowner is Restoring a Hay Field with Native Plants

Consultation Spotlight: How One Illinois Landow...

In DeKalb, Illinois, landowner Mike F. is taking a hands-on approach to sustainability. On his 5.5-acre property — where a newly built, solar-powered home now stands — he’s setting out to...

Consultation Spotlight: How One Illinois Landow...

In DeKalb, Illinois, landowner Mike F. is taking a hands-on approach to sustainability. On his 5.5-acre property — where a newly built, solar-powered home now stands — he’s setting out to...

Consultation with Natural Communities team — discussing site preparation and native plant selection for urban restoration.

Consultation Spotlight: From Turf to Prairie — ...

In a recent consultation between a local native landscaping cooperative and the Natural Communities team, both groups explored challenges and opportunities in bringing native plants to city yards. Their discussion...

Consultation Spotlight: From Turf to Prairie — ...

In a recent consultation between a local native landscaping cooperative and the Natural Communities team, both groups explored challenges and opportunities in bringing native plants to city yards. Their discussion...

Short native prairie buffer with Rudbeckia and little bluestem along a backyard fence in Lombard, IL

Battling Invasives and Restoring a Native Buffe...

Michelle owns a property in Lombard where invasive species—especially buckthorn andhoneysuckle—are encroaching from an adjacent prairie path. She’s frustrated by therepeated, expensive clearing of these invaders, many of which originate...

Battling Invasives and Restoring a Native Buffe...

Michelle owns a property in Lombard where invasive species—especially buckthorn andhoneysuckle—are encroaching from an adjacent prairie path. She’s frustrated by therepeated, expensive clearing of these invaders, many of which originate...

Discover the best native plants and wildflowers that rabbits mostly avoid.

Native Plants That Rabbits Avoid (Mostly)

Rabbits may be adorable, but they can be relentless garden grazers. If you’ve struggled to keep young plants from becoming a midnight snack, you’re not alone. Fortunately, many rabbit-resistant native plants...

Native Plants That Rabbits Avoid (Mostly)

Rabbits may be adorable, but they can be relentless garden grazers. If you’ve struggled to keep young plants from becoming a midnight snack, you’re not alone. Fortunately, many rabbit-resistant native plants...

Grasslands Conservation in a Changing World

Grasslands Conservation in a Changing World

At the 2024 Natural Areas Conference (NAC24) in Manhattan, Kansas, the Natural Areas Association brought together scientists, land stewards, and conservation leaders to explore one of North America’s most vital ecosystems:...

Grasslands Conservation in a Changing World

At the 2024 Natural Areas Conference (NAC24) in Manhattan, Kansas, the Natural Areas Association brought together scientists, land stewards, and conservation leaders to explore one of North America’s most vital ecosystems:...