Natural History Classes
Expand your mind among the unfolding colors, sights and sounds of spring at the Arboretum! Join expert instructors and other nature enthusiasts to learn to identify spring flowers and migratory birds, explore habitats, and discover wetland animals and ecology.
See a brief overview of the course, dates, time, and cost. If you would like additional information or to register, click on the course number and title.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General Interest Courses
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NEW SECTION ADDED
N032 - SPRINGTIME ON THE PRAIRIE
Cindy Crosby, Morton Arboretum Instructor, Certified Interpretive Guide
Enjoy the fresh colors of the spring prairie flowers. Stroll on the Schulenberg Prairie at twilight; feast your eyes on shooting stars, cream wild indigo, golden alexanders, and birdfoot violets; delight your ears with the songs of spring birds; and learn about the role of fire in maintaining the prairie.
5:30– 7:30 p.m., Prairie Visitor Station.
Member $18 (Non-member $22)
Wednesday, May 22
Thursday, May 30 SOLD OUT
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THE NATURALIST CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
The Naturalist Certificate Program offers a coherent structure for exploring the plants, animals, and ecosystems of Northern Illinois. Classes in the Natural History Certificate Program are open to all students; you do not have to be enrolled in the Certificate to take classes.
The Naturalist Certificate has ten core classes and two track options. You may choose to focus on Natural Areas and study northern Illinois ecology and habitat management or you may select the Interpretive track to concentrate on communicating your interest and excitement about nature to others. Elective classes (43 contact hours required) allow the flexibility for you to build a program that matches your particular areas of interest.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
O491 Birding At Illinois Beach State Park
Gloria Dobry, Arboretum Instructor
Illinois Beach State Park has more high quality natural communities than any other place in Illinois. Marsh, sedge meadow, three kinds of prairie, sand savanna, heath, and foredunes combine to create an incomparable landscape. Join Gloria to see the plants at the peak of their beauty and search for breeding and nesting birds.
Note: Held entirely outdoors. Please dress for the weather and for hiking.
Supplies: Please bring water and a snack or sack lunch. Binoculars and field guides will be useful.
Driving Directions: Driving directions will be sent to registrants.
Certificate Information: Ornithology Certificate Field Elective (4 hours)
Friday, June 7; 8:00 a.m. – Noon. Offsite.
Member $32 (nonmember $38 )
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THE NATURALIST CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
The Naturalist Certificate Program offers a coherent structure for exploring the plants, animals, and ecosystems of Northern Illinois. Classes in the Natural History Certificate Program are open to all students; you do not have to be enrolled in the Certificate to take classes.
The Naturalist Certificate has ten core classes and two track options. You may choose to focus on Natural Areas and study northern Illinois ecology and habitat management. Or you may select the Interpretive track to concentrate on communicating your interest and excitement about nature to others. Elective classes (43 contact hours required) allow the flexibility for you to build a program that matches your particular areas of interest.
For further information, a complete Certificate description, course listings, and online registration, visit mortonarb.org/adults or contact the Registrar's Office at 630-719-2468.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General Interest
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
N020 SUMMER WILDFLOWER WALK
Explore the ever changing face of summer. Colorful flowers and swaying grasses change from day to day in the Arboretum's prairies, woodlands and wetlands. Take a morning stroll with an expert and enjoy hearing birds and insects, seeing the wildflower highlights in each month and learn about the complex interactions that support this diversity of life. A plant list will be provided but feel free to bring your own field guide and hand lens.
Note: Held outdoors. Please dress for the weather.
Supplies: Please bring your hat and water bottle and wear sun and insect protection.
Saturdays, 9:30 am – 11:30.
Member $18 (nonmember $26 )
Section a: June 8 with Phyllis Mertz, Arboretum Instructor. Meet at the Prairie Visitor Station.
Section b: July 13 with Cindy Crosby, National Parks Ranger, writer and steward. Meet at the Prairie Visitor Station.
Section c: August 10 with Susan Lawrence, Senior Ranger, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. Meet at Parking Lot 8.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NEW!
N621 SOLSTICE SENSATIONS
Dave Rogers' Big Bugs Program
Cindy Crosby, National Parks Ranger, writer and steward and Susan Lawrence, Senior Ranger, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
Enjoy the sensations of midsummer at the Arboretum - the sights, sounds, scents, textures and even tastes! Experience the longest day of the year as we travel around the Arboretum aboard the Acorn Express open-air tram. We'll enjoy the songs and sounds of nocturnal animals and insects, learn how the smooth or rough texture of leaves helps plants thrive in a hot season, and discover how the changing day length affects plants, animals and insects. Then retire to the Thornhill Shelter to share in seasonal favorites, s'mores, sliders, and summer ale. We'll continue our exploration of the season with storytelling around a campfire.
Note: Held entirely outdoors. Please dress for the weather.
Friday, June 21, 7:00 – 9:30 pm. Thornhill Shelter.
Member $34 (nonmember $40 )
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
N083 HABITAT HISTORY WALK: The Schulenberg Prairie
Craig Johnson, Arboretum Instructor
Windswept grasses and stampeding buffalo are prairie icons, but human voices also echo across the Arboretum's Schulenberg Prairie. The Potawatomi, an 1840's surveyor named Ewing, settlement-era farmers Brunson and Dumoulin, and pioneer prairie restorer Ray Schulenberg are some of the historical figures who engaged with the prairie, finding their sense of place within its remarkable complexity. Craig Johnson, your interpreter for this program, worked on the Schulenberg Prairie for 25 years. Discover the hidden history of the prairie in this engaging walk.
Note: Held indoors and outdoors. Please dress for the weather, including sun and insect protection, and wear sturdy walking shoes. Includes walking on trails and uneven terrain.
Saturday, June 22; 9:30 am – 12:30 pm. Thornhill Education Center.
Member $8 (nonmember $16 )
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NEW!
N623 POTABLE PLANTS
Can you name a beverage that comes from a tree, shrub or vine? From wine to gin to coffee and tea, humans have found countless ways to derive beverages from woody plants. Take a summer evening open-air tram ride to discover which specimens in the Arboretum's collections are associated with spirited sipping and end the program with a thematic cocktail or refreshing iced tea.
Note: Held entirely outdoors. Please dress for the weather.
Visitor Center Entry.
Member $19 (nonmember $22 )
Section a: Saturday, July 13, 4:30 - 6:00 pm
Section b: Friday, July 19, 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Section c: Saturday, August 3, 4:30 - 6:00 pm
Section d: Friday, August 9, 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Section e: Saturday, September 14, 4:30 - 6:00 pm
Section f: Friday, September 20, 5:30 - 7:00 pm
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
N134 BUTTERFLIES OF DUPAGE COUNTY
Dave Rogers' Big Bugs Program
Gloria Dobry, Arboretum Instructor
Butterflies are quick to capture our imagination with their whimsical flight and dazzling color. To the observer who knows their life histories and habitat preferences, their presence can also reveal environmental conditions. Get to know our local butterfly species through a beautiful photo presentation, then move outdoors to search the fields and edges for butterflies in their habitats.
Recommended Ages: Adults; children ages 12 and up are welcome with an adult registrant
Note: Held indoors and outdoors. Please dress for the weather.
Supplies: A hand lens or binoculars may be useful, as will your favorite field guide. Please bring a snack and a water bottle.
Recommended Texts: Butterflies of North America by Kenn Kaufman, Butterflies through Binoculars: The East-A Field Guide to the Butterflies of Eastern North America by Jeffrey Glassberg, or Field Guide to Butterflies of Illinois by John Bouseman and James Sternburg are recommended.
Certificate Information: No experience necessary; may be used as a Naturalist Certificate Elective (2 hours)
Saturday, August 10; 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Thornhill Outpost.
Member $8 (nonmember $16 )
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Core Certificate Courses
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
N242 TREE IDENTIFICATION AND ECOLOGY
Susan Lawrence, Senior Ranger, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
Enjoy the leafy summer canopy and learn in the shade as you become familiar with the trees commonly sighted in the woodlands and neighborhoods of the Chicago region. You will examine 70 – 80 trees, learn the skills to identify them, and discuss their biology and ecology.
Recommended Texts: Trees of Illinois by Linda Kershaw and Tree Finder by May Watts, are available at the Arboretum Store.
Note: Classes will meet indoors and outdoors. Please dress for the weather, including sun protection, and bring a water bottle.
Certificate Information: Only one in this series is required for both Naturalist and Botanical Art Certificates; may be used to fulfill a Photography Certificate Requirement; WSTP Elective (15 hours)
Educator Opportunity: 15 CPDUs available
5 Saturdays, June 1 – 29; 8:30 – 11:30 am. Thornhill Education Center.
Menber $178 (nonmember $209 )
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
N013 FIELD ECOLOGY: SUMMER
Explore the natural world of Illinois in the summer session of Field Ecology. Learn how our natural world has changed over time and under the influence of humankind. Field experiences in the natural areas of the Arboretum allow us to observe these concepts in action.
Note: Held indoors and outdoors. Please dress for the weather, including sun protection. Includes walking on trails and uneven terrain.
Supplies: Please bring equipment for writing in the field and carry a water bottle
Certificate Information: Satisfies a Naturalist Certificate Requirement; may be used to fulfill a Photography Certificate Requirement; WSTP Elective (12 hours)
Educator Opportunity: 12 CPDUs available
Thornhill Education Center.
Member $138 (nonmember $162 )
Section a: 2 Wednesdays, June 12 & 19; 7:00 – 9:00 pm & 2 Saturdays, June 15 & 22; 8:00 am – Noon with Scott Kobal, Ecologist, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
Section b: 4 Tuesdays, July 2 – 23; 9:30 am – 12:30 pm with Cyndi Duda, Field Ecologist, Witness Tree Native Landscapes
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
N400 INTRODUCTION TO NATURAL AREAS MANAGEMENT
Greg Rajsky, Arboretum Instructor
Remnant natural areas act as genetic banks for plant, animal, and insect diversity. How are these critical habitats being managed for the future? Join us as we visit a variety of managed ecosystems to discuss current conservation challenges and strategies with site managers and volunteer stewards.
Note: Thursday session held indoors; Sunday and Saturday classes held outdoors. Please dress for the weather and for walking off-trail over varying terrain on Sunday and Saturday.
Supplies: Please bring lunch and a water bottle for the Sunday and Saturday classes.
Driving Directions: Driving directions will be provided in class for Sunday and Saturday classes.
Certificate Information: Naturalist Certificate Natural Areas Track Requirement, Interpretive Track Elective; WSTP Elective (12 hours)
Educator Opportunity: 12 CPDUs available
Thursday, June 20; 6 – 9 pm, Sunday, June 23; 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, & Saturday, June 29; 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Thornhill Education Center.
Member $138 (nonmember $162 )
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
N301 INTERPRETIVE SKILLS FOR NATURALISTS
John Elliott, Interpretation Specialist
Using the outdoors as your classroom presents unique advantages and challenges. In this class, you will learn teaching techniques that will help you interpret local ecosystems and present environmental issues for a variety of audiences. A combination of lecture, hands-on exercises, and field activities will lay a foundation for connecting with your audiences and planning programs that are both educational and enjoyable.
Note: Held mostly indoors
Certificate Information: Naturalist Certificate Requirement, WSTP Elective (12 hours)
4 Thursdays, July 11 – August 1; 9:30 am – 12:30 pm. Thornhill Education Center.
Member $138 (nonmember $162 )
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sharon Yiesla, Plant Clinic Assistant, The Morton Arboretum
Ever wanted to know the names of the wildflowers filling the prairies in summer? Learn the names and characteristics of native and introduced plants flowering in the woodlands, prairies, wetlands, and other areas of the Arboretum.
No prerequisites: Local Flora: Spring and Fall are not prerequisites.
Note: Held indoors and outdoors. Please dress for the weather, including sun protection.
Supplies: Bring your favorite field guide, a water bottle, and a hand lens.
Certificate Information: Only one course in this series is required for both Naturalist and BA&I Certificates; may be used to fulfill a Photography Certificate Requirement: WSTP Elective (15 hours).
Educator Opportunity: 15 CPDUs available
5 Sundays, July 14 – August 11; 9:00 am – Noon. Thornhill Education Center.
Member $178 (nonmember $209 )
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
John Elliott, Interpretive Specialist
The world is growing greener as more citizens become aware of the crucial roles plants play in sustaining life on earth. Explore the meaning and importance of biodiversity and note its implications for natural area restoration, habitat management, conservation of endangered species, and captive breeding programs.
Note: Held indoors and outdoors. Registrants will receive study packets.
Certificate Information: Naturalist Certificate Requirement; can be used as a WSTP Elective (12 hours)
4 Saturdays, July 13 – August 3; 9:00 am – Noon. Thornhill Education Center.
Member $138 (nonmember $162 )
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certificate Electives
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
N447 INTRO TO ENTOMOLOGY
Dave Rogers' Big Bugs Program
Brian Moskalik, Assistant Professor of Natural Sciences, University of St. Francis
Over one million species of insects have been described-how can we keep them all straight? Learn about the diversity of insects by studying the division of arthropods into orders and examining the life histories and ecological requirements of our local invertebrate populations. Then apply this information by visiting different habitats to learn field identification and collection skills.
Note: Be prepared for outdoor activity each session. Please dress for the weather, including sun protection.
Supplies: Please bring a sack lunch, water bottle, and writing materials to each session.
Certificate Information: Naturalist Certificate, WSTP Elective (12 hours)
Saturday & Sunday, July 27 - 28; 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Thornhill Education Center.
Member $108 (nonmember $127 )
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NEW!
N453 FISHES OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Tom Anton, Biologist
Think Illinois biodiversity is all landlocked? Think again! Home to over 120 species of fishes, Illinois waterways form a critical component of local ecosystems. Get to know life below the water's surface, learn to identify common fish and fish of conservation concern, and learn how human activities and changes to the urban forest affect life underwater.
Note: Held indoors and outdoors. Please dress for the weather and for walking in wet areas in each session. Some sessions will meet off-site.
Recommended Texts: Fishwatching, by C. Lavett-Smith and Fishes of Illinois by Phillip W. Smith, can be found in the Arboretum Store.
Certificate Information: Naturalist Certificate and WSTP Elective (12 hours)
4 Saturdays, July 20 – August 10; 9:00 am – Noon. Thornhill Education Center.
Member $108 (nonmember $127 )