Red Oak Rain Garden

10/19/2026

Do you know how to plant a native plant? 🌱🌱Watch this video to find out!

RORG Volunteer Coordinator, Maddy Craft, shows the steps to a successful fall planting 🍁

10/08/2026

It's back! 🎃The Red Oak Rain Garden's annual autumnal event, Illuminating Art in Nature! Visit our blog, or read below for more details. Join us on Wednesday, October 28 to celebrate art, culture, and sustainability! 🍂🕸️👻

SCHEDULE
4:30 PM – Event begins, Education Fair opens
6:00 PM – Jack-o’-lantern lighting and judging
8:30 PM – Event concludes

EVENT DETAILS
Enter a creative space where manga art meets nature and sustainability. Guided by Professor Lindsey Stirek, students in ARTJ 301: Manga, the Art of Image and Word and ARTJ 301 CHP: Anime, Manga, and the Margins of Culture will transform the Red Oak Rain Garden with temporary outdoor art installations and interactive activities inspired by manga. Families can enjoy create-your-own manga station, caricatures, and live music. An environmental education fair welcomes you to learn about campus and community organizations brining environmental awareness to life!

Meet Kuhu Shukla, the Asian American Cultural Center's Artist in Residence as she discusses her work drawn from Warli art, an ancient visual tradition of the Warli people of Maharashtra, India. Eat candies from around the world as you judge Jack-o'-lanterns carved by Unit One-Allen Hall students. Learn from professionals on the importance of wellness activities, and sustainable practices in your own yard!

A big thank-you to our partners iSEE, illinois Housing, Unit One/Allen Hall, Illinois Art & Design, Asian American Cultural Center, McKinley Health Center, Berries and Flour, and Garden Grove Floral!

Learn more about the event here! https://redoakraingarden.org/2026/09/22/illuminating-art-in-nature-2026/

📷: Fred Zwicky, University of Illinois

10/07/2026

Fall is here at RORG! 🍂 Assistant Director, Layne Knoche, shows how beautiful I am this time of year 🍂🪾🍄‍🟫 which is your favorite?

10/01/2026

It's here! 🎃 We invite you to Illuminating Art in Nature, our annual autumnal event! Visit our blog, or read below for more details. Join us on Wednesday, October 28 to celebrate art, culture, and sustainability! 🍂🕸️👻

SCHEDULE
4:30 PM – Event begins, Education Fair opens
6:00 PM – Jack-o’-lantern lighting and judging
8:30 PM – Event concludes

EVENT DETAILS
Enter a creative space where manga art meets nature and sustainability. Guided by Professor Lindsey Stirek, students in ARTJ 301: Manga, the Art of Image and Word and ARTJ 301 CHP: Anime, Manga, and the Margins of Culture will transform the Red Oak Rain Garden with temporary outdoor art installations and interactive activities inspired by manga. Families can enjoy create-your-own manga station, caricatures, and live music. An environmental education fair welcomes you to learn about campus and community organizations brining environmental awareness to life!

Meet Kuhu Shukla, the Asian American Cultural Center's Artist in Residence as she discusses her work drawn from Warli art, an ancient visual tradition of the Warli people of Maharashtra, India. Eat candies from around the world as you judge Jack-o'-lanterns carved by Unit One-Allen Hall students. Learn from professionals on the importance of wellness activities, and sustainable practices in your own yard!

A big thank-you to our partners iSEE at U. of I. University Housing, Unit One - Allen Hall, University Of Illinois, Asian American Cultural Center, McKinley Health Center, Berries and Flour, and Garden Grove Farm!

Learn more about the event on our website: https://redoakraingarden.org/2026/09/22/illuminating-art-in-nature-2026/

📷: Fred Zwicky, University of Illinois

09/22/2026

Something spooky is headed RORG's way 🎃👻🍂

Stay tuned in for the reveal!

09/15/2026

We asked the real experts what they think of the rain garden... who's your favorite? 🪲🕷️🦋

🔊 Voiced by some our AMAZING volunteers and team members!

Thanks to for the inspiration!

08/25/2026

We loved having Traci Bennett as our Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Stormwater Intern this summer! 🌱 As a University of Illinois Geology student interested in water resources, Traci gained hands-on experience with green stormwater infrastructure, from analyzing MS4 reports to working alongside volunteers at the Red Oak Rain Garden.

In her reflection blog, she looks back on what she learned, the people she met, and how the experience helped shape her career goals.

Read Traci’s summer reflections: https://redoakraingarden.org/2026/08/25/summer-2026-iisg-stormwater-intern-traci-bennett/

University of Illinois College of ACES University of Illinois Extension Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Facilities & Services

A Little About Me My name is Traci Bennett, and I am an incoming senior at UIUC. I am currently finishing my Bachelor of Science in Geology with an environmental concentration. I hop…

08/21/2026

Two more chances to join the EcoReps for iSEE's new Sustainability Walking Tour, which includes a beautiful rain garden (me!). Registration required.

08/19/2026

Welcome back, students! 💕📚

Whether you need a moment of peace, the perfect selfie spot, or place to visit with old and new friends, RORG is the place for you! 😁🐞🌼

07/04/2026

❤️🤍💙 Happy Fourth of July from the Red Oak Rain Garden!

Nature has its own way of celebrating, too. As you enjoy the holiday with family and friends, we hope you'll also take a moment to appreciate the landscapes that support clean water, pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Every rain garden helps create a healthier environment for our communities.

Wishing everyone a safe, joyful, and relaxing Independence Day!