Rollins Savanna and Seed Nursery

The native seed nursery at Rollins Savanna was established in 2005 as a source of native seed for restoration projects across the Lake County Forest Preserves properties. The nursery has grown steadily since then, now yielding over 500 pounds of seed from over 300 different species of native species each year. The nursery gives our restoration ecologists access to rare plants that are cost prohibitive or unavailable from commercial nurseries. 

This tour will include an in-depth look at our nursery beds, seed processing facility, greenhouse and aquatic nursery. Be prepared for a 1.5 mile hike, partially off trail. 

Chicago Botanic Garden

Go behind the scenes for a rare look inside the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Nursery and Production Greenhouses and the Dixon National Tallgrass Prairie Seed Bank. Learn how the Garden’s production department grows more than half a million plants each year, and how their work supports the Negaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science and Action and the natural areas that make up more than half the Garden’s Glencoe campus. 

Then bundle up to check out the millions of native seeds frozen in the Garden’s Seed Bank and learn why banking seed is critical for preventing extinctions, supporting habitat restoration, and contributing to scientific research.  

Schedule: 

8:00 AM registration begins at the College of Lake County Grayslake Campus 

8:30 AM Bus Departs. 

Stops include:

4:00 PM Return to the College of Lake County - Grayslake Campus

5:00 PM Optional: Join fellow attendees from all of today's field trips at a networking/social gathering at Bills Pizza and Pub North which is a short drive from the campus.