Wild Ones, Gibson Woods Chapter Business Meetings are held via Zoom
on the first or second Wednesday evening of each month (unless otherwise noted).
Educational Presentations are at 10:00 a.m. the first Saturday of the Month
(unless otherwise noted).
Typically held at Gibson Woods Environmental Awareness Center
6201 Parrish Avenue, Hammond, IN 46323.
Phone 219-844-3188
March Board Meeting
Members Only
via Zoom
Wednesday, March 4th, 2026
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Topics to be Announced
The Wild Mile- ‘Re-Wilding’ – an old Industrial Canal
in the Chicago River – with Phil Nicodemus
Open to the Public
In-person & via Zoom
Saturday, March 7th, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Gibson Woods, 6201 Parrish Ave, Hammond, IN 46323
The Chicago River, like many urban waterways, has been significantly altered over the decades to support industry and commerce, at the expense of nature and public access. At Goose Island, along the river’s north branch, the opportunity to create a new, river-centric park is growing as ‘The Wild Mile’, a mile long former industrial canal that is being transformed into a floating urban wildlife oasis. Using floating walkways flanked by man-made wetlands, we can take advantage of underutilized space, and help bring life back into the heart of the city, giving residents a chance to make new and meaningful connections to nature.
Phil is the Research Director at Urban Rivers, who’s work on the river started even before the non profit existed, assisting one of the co-founders with his master’s thesis work all the way back in 2013. His role at the organization is to investigate the ways in which artificial habitats support river ecosystems, and explore new methods to enhance restoration, even in very urban environments. Phil is a graduate of the University of Illinois and Northeastern Illinois University where he studied ecology, and has previously worked for the Illinois Natural History Survey, Shedd Aquarium, and Chicago Botanic Garden.
Monarch Conservation and the Critical Role of Milkweed and How You Can Help – with Jim Starin
Open to the Public
via Zoom
Wednesday, April 8th, 2026
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Learn about the distinct and amazing qualities of Monarch butterflies, their annual migration of nearly 3,000 miles, and their specialized relationship with Milkweed that is crucial to their survival. Jim invites all attendees to do their part to help preserve this unique creature. Attendees are invited to become Citizen Scientists for the Monarch.
Jim Starin is a retired professional, having earned respect as a successful business entrepreneur and leader. He launched Starin Marketing in 1988, an Audio-Visual Equipment distributor across North America. After 30 years as its CEO, he sold it to his employees and began looking for different opportunities to bring that same energy and passion. Jim has accomplished that with his role on the executive committee at CoAction, a community action agency serving approximately 50,000 people, and in his primary focus of gardening, educating and campaigning for the conservation of the Monarch butterfly. Jim has recently been named to the Board of Directors of Save the Dunes!
April Member Meeting
In-person & via Zoom
Open to Members & Plant Sale Volunteers
Saturday, April 11th, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Gibson Woods, 6201 Parrish Ave, Hammond, IN 46323
Plant sale planning & chapter logo shirt pressing
All Hands On Deck! We will have Plant Sale & Earth Day prep-work & will go over our strategies that lead up to & include or Plant Sale. Volunteer Sign-ups will also be available.
Samantha Huff will be available with a supply of our chapter logo transfers & her press:
Bring your own cotton or polyester blend t-shirt, tank top, sweatshirt, etc. and the transfer will be applied while you are present. Two sizes of our logo will be available They are white logos approximately 8 inches & 4 inches. The price for the large logo, including pressing is $8. The smaller logo is $4. There will be a limited supply of t-shirts if you don’t bring your own. The cost of those will be $20.