'Plant, Baby, Plant': Nationwide Grassroots Movement Hosting Community Event At Brushwood Center

RIVERWOODS, IL — "Plant, Baby, Plant," a new nationwide grassroots movement, is inviting the public to its first-ever "community activation" this weekend. Led by Robin Wall Kimmerer, an author and botanist, the all-ages event is planned for 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, 21850 Riverwoods Road.

A celebration of land, art and reciprocity, the outdoor celebration will include art-making, music and collective care for land. Kimmerer, who will receive the 2025 Environmental Leadership Award from Brushwood Center at the 42nd Annual Smith Nature Symposium on Saturday at the Chicago Botanic Garden, will give opening remarks. She will also be signing books.

Osage artist Lydia Cheshewalla will lead the collaborative outdoor art event, while Elexa Dawson will be playing live music. The event marks the inaugural in-person gathering of "Plant, Baby, Plant," the first in a series of community activations that will bloom wherever Robin visits, turning inspiration into action.

"'Plant, Baby, Plant'is rooted in joy and reciprocity," Kimmerer said. "We're inviting people verywhere to see caring for the land as both a personal practice and a collective participation in our mutual flourishing."

Guests are encouraged to bring gardening gloves or pruning shears; some tools will be provided. In the case of rain, the event will move indoors.