Chat with a Garden scientist over cocktails

What happens when you combine Garden experts, lively conversation, cocktails, and light bites? After Hours Buzz is your ticket to this exclusive outdoors event, which includes a short, interactive presentation by a scientist or expert at the Garden. Must be 21 or older to attend event; valid ID card must be shown for entry.

July 18: Rose Terrace Beer Garden   
with postdoctoral researcher Nick Dorian, Ph.D.

How fitting is it that we’re talking about bees? Join Nick Dorian, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher, as he introduces you to the bees' secret lives and unique plant relationships. You’ll learn easy ways to support these vital, yet overlooked, pollinators in your own backyard.   
 

July 25: Runnells Courtyard  
with Garden ecologist Jim Jabcon

Prairies are vast landscapes teeming with wildflowers, tall golden grasses, and natural beauty. Indeed, they are among the rarest and most diverse plant communities in the world. Listen as Jim Jabcon, a Garden ecologist, journeys back in time to showcase the Garden’s six prairie types that were once common in northeastern Illinois.   
 

August 22: Thomas English Walled Garden  
with conservation scientist Jeremie Fant, Ph.D.

Genetic diversity is essential to life on earth. The more diverse a plant species, the better their chance of survival. Hear Jeremie Fant, Ph.D., discuss how we’re using DNA technologies to track genetic diversity in wild plant populations and plants held in botanic garden collections—and how this work helps prevent extinctions and return rare plant species to the wild.   
 

August 29: Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden  
with senior director of plant biology, Patrick Herendeen, Ph.D.

Join Patrick Herendeen, Ph.D., for "Lost & Found: Living Fossils," a fascinating journey into paleontology to uncover the secrets of plants lost to extinction and found through fossils. You’ll hear about fossils of ginkgo, horsetails, dawn redwood. and other plants that have extensive fossil records.  Fortunately, the ginkgo and dawn redwood were only almost lost and their existence today is due in part to human intervention.