URBANA, Ill. — Seek out pollinators in native gardens, dive into the world of aquaponics, and see how cutting-edge technology is transforming garden design at upcoming statewide Golden Garden Day celebrations of the 50-year legacy of University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners. This spring and summer, communities across Illinois are invited to grow their gardening skills through hands-on demonstrations and educational sessions at regional 50th-anniversary celebrations in St. Clair, Champaign, Rock Island, Henry, and Peoria counties.
Experience how sustainable agriculture supports local food systems at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Food, Agriculture, Nutrition Innovation Center. In Champaign, venture outdoors into the buzzing world of bees or walk with experts and identify native trees at the 4-H Memorial Camp. Give back to the community with a surplus harvest in Rock Island at the Floreciente Community Garden. Tour artfully designed gardens and community gardening projects in Henry. Or spot wildlife and admire the natural scenery in Peoria at the Wildlife Prairie Park.
“These events not only celebrate our 50-year legacy, but they will also introduce community members to the Master Gardener program and enhance their gardening knowledge with practical tools and skills suitable for all gardening experience levels,” said State Master Gardener Coordinator Candice Anderson.
Register to attend a regional celebration and learn more about the 50 years of impact by visiting the Master Gardener anniversary webpage, go.illinois.edu/MGImpact.
Southern Celebration: St. Clair on May 7
Learn about urban agriculture and how innovative food sciences contribute to local food systems at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Food, Agriculture, Nutrition Innovation Center. Whether diving into the world of aquaponics, retrofitting shipping containers, participating in a memorial tree planting, or gaining skills in stormwater management, participants will gain insights into how this region is tackling the challenges of food access and creating more sustainable landscapes.
East Central Celebration, Champaign on May 14
Honey bees might be the most recognized pollinators, but some of their close relatives play an integral part in our ecosystem. Adventure outdoors for an insect identification walk or detour to a tree identification walk. East Central Master Gardeners will provide practical activities, including workshops on building moss ball terrariums and garden design using innovative technology.
Quad Cities Celebration, Rock Island, on June 25
Bring surplus harvest and provide food to families in need at a food drive at Floreciente Community Garden with Master Gardeners in partnership with Eat. Move. Save. Other opportunities include mapped tree walks, demonstration vegetable gardens, and tours through pollinator gardens. Finish the day with an artful design of the Hauberg Estate landscape.
Northwest Celebration, Henry, on June 29
Explore native blooming flowers, the rich scent of shoveled soil, and pollinators at work at garden tours hosted in northwest Illinois. Discover a variety of garden displays, including urban downtown beds, native plant landscapes, and butterfly havens.
West Central Celebration, Peoria, on June 29
Indulge in natural landscapes, wildlife viewing, and educational sessions at Wildlife Prairie Park. Learn about various Master Gardener projects within the park and in the local community, like the demonstration food garden at OSF St. Ann’s Garden of Hope.
For 50 years, Illinois Extension staff and Master Gardeners have cultivated impactful projects, including community gardens that support local food systems or native pollinators to therapeutic gardening programs. Whether Master Gardeners are partnered with schools and youth programs or Veteran Affairs hospitals, education and environmental stewardship and “helping others learn to grow” is at the forefront of their mission. In alignment with Illinois Extension’s 10-year Strategic Planning, go.illinois.edu/StrategicPlanning, Master Gardeners continuously strive to eliminate barriers to participation and spread the art and science of gardening.
Fifty Years of Impact by Illinois Extension Master Gardeners: University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners are celebrating 50 years of positive impact across Illinois in 2025. Master Gardeners enrich communities with their commitment to horticulture education and the art and science of growing. Over 2,000 active volunteers invest their time and talents cultivating collaborative gardens that feed and support healthy communities, foster hands-on learning, enhance neighborhood beauty, and support the environment. Help Master Gardeners grow.
