Events

Public gardens hold tremendous power to influence landscaping norms and inspire change. By showcasing the beauty, functionality, and ecological value of native plants, these spaces help foster biodiversity, advocate for sustainable practices, and engage communities in environmental stewardship. 

This webinar will explore how public and demonstration gardens serve as powerful tools for native plant advocacy. Attendees will learn how gardens move beyond aesthetics to spark action—turning appreciation into engagement and inspiring participants to replicate these practices in their own communities.

We will hear insights from Nicole Machuca, Environmental Social Scientist at the Field Museum, on how public gardens influence behaviors, foster stewardship, and connect people to conservation efforts through research and community engagement. The Wild Ones Capital Region NY and the Wild Ones San Diego (CA) Chapters will share their experiences building native plant demonstration gardens and how these spaces drive community engagement, education, and advocacy. And We'll finish with a conversation exploring how public gardens create a lasting impact beyond planting day moderated by Kelly Kapuzzi, Demonstration Garden Char with the Wild Ones Hocking Hills (OH) Chapter.

Join Kyova Tri-state Wild Ones as we gear up for the Kentucky Native Plant Society Wildflower Weekend! During this hike we will use two data collection systems to document trees, groundcover, and understory plant species we find on the trail: EDDMaps  for Non-native Invasive Species documentation and iNaturalist for general species documentation and identification. This Botany Blitz hike is one of many across Kentucky in anticipation of KNPS's 36th annual Wildflower Weekend at Carter Caves SRP. 

You can view EDDMaps here: eddmaps.org

You can view the Kentucky Native Plant Society iNaturalist project here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/knps-wildflower-week-2025-botany-blitz

Join Kyova Tri-state Wild Ones for a beer and a little botany following our Botany Blitz hike! This casual get together features our community's famous ephemerals and their presence in landscape tree guilds/natural understory! During this gathering we will hand out take-home sheets identifying common spring ephemerals that can be found at the forthcoming KNPS Wildflower Weekend at Carter Caves SRP, and we will raffle off some unique Spring-sown native roots and seeds for registered participants to take home for their gardens.

Join the Kentucky Native Plant Society for their 36th annual Wildflower Weekend at our local Carter Caves State Resort Park! We are so excited botanists, naturalists, and enthusiasts from across the state will be coming to our region to explore our region's native flora. Schedule and registration links will be released on March 9th. Visit www.knps.org to learn more!

Join Wild Ones as we discuss the Pollinator Habitat Certification Program! Our current president will be overseas, so this meeting will be held exclusively virtually. Please join us and enjoy fellowship from the comfort of your home! You do not have to register to attend this meeting; it is available to the public.

Join us in learning the remarkable work of American Chestnut Seed Orchards and why protecting old growth trees in our landscapes is vital to the health of our community's ecosystem. 

For this field trip, our regular monthly meeting will occur on the last Saturday of May for the month of June to offer more flexibility to participants. This field trip requires registration, and carpooling is encouraged. We will meet in Ashland and depart for Richmond, then take time to visit the Chestnut Seed Orchard, break for lunch, and then visit the Lily Cornett Woods on a short .25 mile walk and talk.  The organizer will contact registered participants via phone to ensure everyone departs and arrives safely and on time. Please plan appropriate dress, footwear, water, and plan to pack lunch. A meeting place for a group dinner will be discussed following our visit to the Lily Cornett Woods.  This event requires a minimum of ten registrations to avoid cancellation.

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon!