Calendar: Managing invasive species

ST. CHARLES, Ill. — Introduction to Invasive Species Management will begin with an online instructional webinar, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 9.

The webinar will be followed by regional hands-on fields days June 10-12.

The course will be led by University of Illinois Extension educators and is open to early-career natural resource professionals, landowners, volunteers, students and anyone interested in gaining experience managing invasive species. Participants can attend one or both days. Those who attend both days will obtain a certificate of course completion from Illinois Extension.

The $25 registration fee includes lunch on the field day.

Regional field day will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 10 at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37 W700 Dean St.. St. Charles; Montgomery County Extension, 1 Industrial Park Drive, Hillsboro; McCully Heritage, 592 Crawford Creek Road, Kampsville; and Humiston Woods, 61764 E 2100 N Rd, Pontiac.

The regional field day June 11 will be at Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, 354 State Highway 145N, Simpson. The regional field day June 12 will be at Wigwam Hollow Bird Sanctuary, 2001 County Rd 1100 E, Macomb; and Perkins Road Restoration Site, 1501 E. Perkins Rd. Urbana.

Learn more about the event and register at https://tinyurl.com/mr42fk4y.

Jams and Jellies

BELVIDERE, Ill. — The online program Making Jams and Jellies will be 6 to 7 p.m. June 1 at Ida Public Library, 320 N. State St., Belvidere.

Extension is hosting a free step-by-step webinar watch party on how to safely can and preserve your own jams and jellies at home. Learn troubleshooting tips (like how to fix unset jellies) and bring your dial‑gauge pressure canner lids for on-site testing.

Growing Microgreens

BRIGHTON, Ill. — Growing Microgreens and Herbs Indoors will be 2 to 3 p.m. June 2 at Brighton Memorial Library, 110 N. Main St., Brighton.

Learn about the best varieties of microgreens and herbs to grow indoors, the ideal growing conditions, and essential care techniques. Also discussed will be selecting the right containers, soil, proper watering and harvesting methods.

Dial Testing

FREEPORT, Ill. — Pressure Canner Dial Testing Clinic will be 1 to 3 p.m. June 4 at Stephenson County Extension, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport.

Before using your pressure canner, have your dial gauge tested for accuracy. Testing will ensure your pressure canner reaches the appropriate pressure needed to process low-acid foods, such as vegetables and meats, safely.

Bring in your pressure canner lid with the gauge attached. Staff will inspect the lid, gasket, and gauge for accuracy and provide an assessment.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/9sbmykar.

Illinois Fossils

PRINCETON, Ill. — Fossils of the Illinois Valley will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 4 at Princeton Public Library, 698 E. Peru St., Princeton.

This engaging session will introduce participants to the remarkable fossils found throughout the region, with a special focus on the Mazon Creek fossil beds near Morris. Known for their exceptional preservation, Mazon Creek fossils offer a vivid window into life roughly 300 million years ago, when Illinois was covered by tropical swamps teeming with diverse plant and animal species.

Attendees will learn how these fossils formed, what they reveal about ancient ecosystems, and why the Illinois Valley remains a significant site for paleontological discovery.

Culinary Course

CROWN POINT, Ind. — AGrowCulture Culinary Course will be 1 to 4 p.m. CT June 5 at Lake County Extension, 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point.

Participants in grades 3-12 will learn foundational culinary skills as they create a simple, healthy dish from start to finish with AGrowCulture instructor Damon Bazziel.

Cyanotype Workshop

OTTAWA, Ill. — Cyanotype Workshop will be 10 a.m. to noon June 6 at Nell’s Woodland, 2000 Alexis Ave., Ottawa.

Participants will take a scenic walk along the trails at Nell’s Woodland, collecting leaves and plants to create their own cyanotype prints. This hands-on workshop explores cyanotype — the earliest form of photography — blending art, history, and nature into a creative outdoor experience.

Art in Nature

FAIRBURY, Ill. — Art in Nature will be 10 a.m. to noon June 6 at Fugate Woods, 23150-23898 E 1000 N Rd, Fairbury.

Art in Nature encourages families to use nature as their art studio. Participants will experiment with colors, shapes, and textures found in the woods while creating unique works of art. This program celebrates creativity, curiosity, and the joy of making something inspired by the outdoors.

Activities will include painting with natural dyes made from plants; using solar paper to capture images of natural elements and organic materials; and journaling and writing poetry.

Plant Sale

St. CHARLES, Ill. — The Master Gardener Plant Sale will be 9 a.m. to noon June 6 at the Kane County Master Gardener Idea Garden, 3480 Route 38, St. Charles.

Sale includes plants the master gardeners have grown from bare roots, division, and winter sowing. Proceeds support local community garden projects and other Extension programs.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yr3988nh.

Celebrating Childcare

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Magic of Early Learning: Celebrating Community Childcare will be 6 to 10 p.m. ET June 6 at Tippecanoe County Coliseum, 1406 Teal Road, Lafayette.

The event for childcare providers will include dinner, an awards ceremony and dancing. Each provider is welcome to bring a guest.

Lumber Inspection

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The National Hardwood Lumber Association’s eight-week Inspector Training School will begin 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 8 at Richard G. Lugar Forestry Farm, 555 N. Sharon Chapel Road, West Lafayette.

Inspector Training School is an immersive, hands-on program designed to prepare the next generation of hardwood lumber inspectors. This comprehensive course blends classroom instruction with real-world experience, giving students the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed to succeed in the industry.

Farm Safety Day

LEWISTOWN, Ill. — Farm Safety Day will be 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 9 at Fulton County Fairgrounds, 1377 S. Main St., Lewistown.

Safety activities for children 6 and older will include farm equipment safety, weather safety, chemical safety, lawn mower/ATV safety, fire safety, electricity safety, and water safety.

A sack lunch including hotdog, chips, cookie and drink will be available and served at noon.

Pressure Canning

NEW CASTLE, Ind. — Boiling Water Bath and Pressure Canning will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET June 9 at First United Methodist Church, 1324 Church St., New Castle.

Join Purdue Extension master home food preservation instructors to learn boiling water bath and pressure canning through education and a hands-on workshop. Participants will prepare and process recipes to take home.

Register by visiting https://tinyurl.com/mub2sv66. For questions about the course, contact Janel Franks at franksjs@purdue.edu or 765-348-3213.

Attracting Bees

Attracting Native Bees to Your Homestead will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 9 at Jackson County Extension, 402 Ava Road, Murphysboro.

Gardens with abundant native bee populations tend to have higher crop yields. Supporting native bee populations in your garden helps maintain biodiversity, leading to resilient ecosystems and agricultural systems.

Nuts and Seeds

HILLSBORO, Ill. — Nuts, Seeds, and Summer Eats will be 2 to 3:30 p.m. June 9 at Hillsboro Area Public Library, 420 S. Main St., Hillsboro.

Learn the health benefits of a variety of nuts and seeds, and how to use them with confidence in everyday meals. Get tips for proper storage so ingredients last longer and taste better.

Participants will get hands-on practice making recipes, tasting, and get to take home plenty of research-based, nut-related information.

Culinary Herbs

GALENA, Ill. — Culinary Herbs 101 will be 1 to 3 p.m. June 9 at Midwest Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Drive, Galena.

During the first half of the class, participants will learn practical tips for selecting, storing, and preserving herbs so they can be enjoyed year-round. The second half will focus on how to use herbs and spices effectively in cooking, including how much to add to enhance a dish without overpowering it and how these ingredients can support healthier cooking habits. Participants will also enjoy tasty samples and receive recipes to try at home.

Cost is $5. Register by calling 815-858-2273. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/4f34haf6.

Garden Series

DECATUR, Ill. — The Crossing Garden Education Series will be 10 to 11 a.m. June 9, July 14, Aug. 11, Sept. 8, and Oct. 13 at Crossing Healthcare Garden, 320 Central Ave., Decatur.

The series will guide you through a full gardening season — from starting seeds and nurturing young plants to harvesting and wrapping things up for the year. Along the way, master gardeners will share practical tips, tried-and-true techniques, and a few insider secrets to help your vegetable garden thrive.

Northern Illinois Trees

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. — The online program Northern Illinois Trees will be 6 to 7 p.m. June 10.

Lake County Extension Master Gardener Kim Hartmann will review trees and shrubs suitable to northern Illinois conditions and discuss best practices to care for and maintain your trees so they thrive.