Join a natural history writer to spot spring prairie and woodland flowers along The Morton Arboretum’s trails.
In this program, participants will:
- Learn basic tips to identify the first wildflowers to emerge in the spring on the prairie
- Hear about the folklore and uses of a variety of wildflowers
- Discover how wildflowers inspire literature, poetry, and art
Spring wildflowers are a fleeting pleasure, with new species revealing themselves each week. Take the time to get to know them on this guided walk.
This program meets in person at the Arboretum.
Instructor: Cindy Crosby, author and naturalist
Continuing education: This class fulfills a requirement for the Natural Areas Conservation Training (N-ACT) Program.
Age: 16 and older
Course number: N022
Instructor
Cindy Crosby, author and naturalist
Cindy Crosby is the author, compiler, or contributor to more than 20 books, including The Tallgrass Prairie: An Introduction, co-author of Tallgrass Conversations: In Search of the Prairie Spirit, and author of Chasing Dragonflies: A Natural and Cultural History. She is a prairie steward at the Schulenberg Prairie and Nachusa Grasslands, and she coordinates dragonfly monitoring programs at both sites. She earned a master’s degree in natural resources at University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. She blogs each week at Tuesdays in the Tallgrass, and teaches natural history and trains naturalists in the Chicago region.
What to Know
This program meets outdoors. Check the forecast and dress for the weather.
Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and plan to walk more than a mile on uneven terrain.
Bring water and materials for taking notes outdoors. Sunscreen, insect repellent, and your favorite field guide may come in handy.
Program Schedule
Thursday, April 30, 2026, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Prairie Visitor Station (parking lot P-25), West Side
