Events

Explore how native gardening can address climate challenges in our next Wild Ones national webinar, “Cultivating Change” with author and activist Lorraine Johnson. Johnson has been researching and writing about environmental issues for three decades. Learn about the pivotal role of gardening as an act of stewardship in the face of climate and ecological challenges. Discover the profound connections between individual gardens and the broader world and learn how these green spaces can serve as catalysts for positive ecological and social change.  Join Wild Ones for a practical and insightful discussion on gardening's positive impact on the environment and our future. 

Virtual registrants will receive a link to watch the talk live as well as a link to the recording. The recording will only be available for a limited time. 

Registration for this event is now closed, and registrants have been emailed about attending. Please contact [email protected] if you have any issues getting in.

This will be a paid event for both in-person and remote viewing. Virtual registrants will receive a link to watch Dr. Kimmerer's talk live as well as a link to the recording. The recording will only be available for a limited time. 

Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
Ecological restoration can be understood as an act of reciprocity, in return for the gifts of the earth. This talk explores the ecological and ethical imperatives of healing the damage we have inflicted on our land and waters. We trace the evolution of restoration philosophy and practice and consider how integration of indigenous knowledge can expand our understanding of restoration from the biophysical to the biocultural. Reciprocal restoration includes not only healing the land but our relationship to land. In healing the land, we are healing ourselves.

Wild Ones is excited to cohost this event with the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh's Earth Week 2024 and the Wild Ones Fox Valley Chapter. 

Wild Ones will join Don Kennedy at his home permaculture landscape and food forest. Don has over thirty years of experience in permaculture and natural landscape restoration, and we look forward to visiting his new location. Participants will tour the grounds and learn about preparing their landscapes for a sustainable growing season. 

Please join us for our first regional Wild Ones meeting at the Huntington Museum of Art. We will convene for a brief meeting and then enjoy a short hike on one of the museum trails to view the budding flora. All ages are welcome to join us and participate!

What is a native plant? Let's see what we can see! This Wildlings Romp is a gentle guided introduction to local native plants during a walk through one of our community's natural areas to observe the native flora and wildlife they support. Families are invited to gently explore the spillway creek embankment and tree grove to encourage observation of the world around us using the Leave No Trace principles, with examples of species they may find to help guide their observations in their event guidebook. This activity will begin with a brief introduction from our guide, pairing of our observation buddies, and will end with a picnic and circle time to share our Wildlings' observations. Participants will be encouraged to consider native species they could incorporate into their own backyards, with local native plant suppliers and plant/seed swap events provided in their event guidebook.  This event is free and open to the public. 

Events are all-weather. In case of rain/cool temperatures, please wear long pants, a rain jacket, and tall rubber boots. Bringing a towel and/or blanket is encouraged. Need to carpool? Contact Elizabeth Burge at 606-331-3943 via text if you need to make arrangements. 

Wild Ones hosts an introduction to native plants in our built environment, and a brief history of Ashland Central Park and the species planted within it. Following the introductory meeting, participants will enjoy a walk along the Central Park's paved central trail, ending at the community sensory garden. Along the way, we will identify and adopt a community native tree using the University of Kentucky Urban Forest Initiative's Adopt-a-Tree toolkit and the Seek smartphone application. Participants will be encouraged to implement these free tools in their community landscapes to learn about and inventory the native and invasive species in the world around them, and what they can do to incorporate native plants into their landscapes. This event is free and open to the public. 

All Wild Ones ID Walks are all-weather events. Please come prepared for rain/cool weather with appropriate shoes, rain jackets, umbrellas, and towels and/or blankets in case of inclement weather.

Wild Ones is teaming up with the Kentucky Falconers Association and the Urban Forest Initiative to share with you the Hawks of Ashland's Tree Canopy! Join us as local falconer and accomplished outdoorsman, Eric Patton, introduces attendees to his hawk, Piper, and the art of falconry. Wild Ones will have prepared information about the native tree canopy of Ashland's Central Park, and the hawk population that relies upon our community's trees to survive. Attendees will be encouraged to adopt a tree or plant a tree in their own back yard to help support the wildlife who depend on them! This event is available to the public after admission to the museum; museum members will be able to attend without any associated cost. 

During this field trip, participants will meet at the I-64 park and ride and caravan to the Renew Appalachia strip mine reclamation site in Inez, KY. Attendees will learn about the succession of a landscape, how to restore soil to sustain vegetation, and reforestation after decimation of a forest. We will discuss the layers of soil, and how the roots of native species work together to penetrate deep into soil layers to stabilize soil, sustain biodiversity, and restore the health of a watershed. We hope you will join us! Please register at the link below. 

What is a native plant? During this event, we will have a brief circle time and introduction to native plants in the Forest Co-Op trails! Families will receive a trail guidebook and join a trail buddy before we embark on a search for local native plants and the animal species they support along the way. As we return, we will have a picnic and share our observations. Information for native plant and seed suppliers will be provided in each family's guidebook, and ideas for locating and incorporating native plants into our community's landscapes will be discussed. This event is free and open to the public. 

All Wilding Romps are all-weather events. Please come prepared for rain/cool weather with appropriate shoes, rain jackets, and towels and/or blanket following the hike in case of inclement weather.

Fireflies! During this adults-only evening hike, we will visit our local historical Claylick School to observe one of our most ethereal pollinators: fireflies. During this walk and talk, participants will capture and release fireflies while learning about the habitats we can create to help our fireflies thrive. We will also highlight our other nocturnal pollinators, their native host plants, and the role they play in a healthy ecosystem. 

Join Wild Ones for our monthly meeting, where we will discuss all things edible. We will introduce foraging as a means to control invasive species that enter our gardens, as well as the ethics of foraging native plants we are called to protect. Following this meeting is a Naturalists Night Out event, and members are welcome to stay and sample a foraged meal!

Wild Ones meets with our regional horticulturists to talk foraging from our landscapes--a way to ethically harvest from our native landscapes with conservation in mind. Join us for an adult-oriented forage on private land, preparation and preservation demonstration, and sampling a dish from our harvest. 

How have native plants been used and protected across Appalachia's history? Join us for circle time and a walk around the trails and wildlife center of Heritage Farm to learn about the native plants and across Appalachia's history in gardens and as wildlife habitat. Participants will be encouraged to consider ways they can incorporate native plants into their gardens to build habitat in their own homes and neighborhoods. The event will be led by the farm's Wildlife Educator. Please ensure you dress appropriately for the weather. The cost of the event is $12.75 per individual, and must be paid upon arrival to the farm. 

Please register for this event to be sure enough materials are prepared for the activity. 

Join the Wild Ones as we share tips and information on late-summer native garden care, and preparation for seed collection and fall plantings. This event is free and available to the public. 

Explore how native plants can enhance biodiversity and support ecosystems in our upcoming Wild Ones national webinar, “Combating the Biodiversity Crisis with Native Plants” featuring Sarah Gray and Coralie Palmer from the Indiana Native Plant Society.

Native plants are essential for maintaining biodiversity as they provide food and shelter for a wide range of wildlife, including pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects. By incorporating native plants into your landscape, you can create a thriving ecosystem that supports local fauna and flora. These plants are well-adapted to local environmental conditions, making them more resilient to climate change and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Attendees will learn how native plants can improve soil health, enhance water retention, and contribute to a more sustainable and vibrant ecosystem.

Sara and Coralie are part of the Indiana Native Plant Society (INPS) Landscaping team, and they have collaborated on diverse projects across Indiana, including native planting schemes for schools, community gardens, the Eiteljorg Museum, and the Humane Society. Their new design for Indianapolis reflects typical sub-divisions in Indiana and considers future climate challenges, such as increased flooding and hotter, drier summers. The design features resilient, native Indiana plants that thrive in local soil conditions and contribute to the ecosystem.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from leading experts in native plants! Participants will gain practical insights into native garden designs and learn how tailored landscaping can support wildlife, promote ecological balance, and help restore natural habitats. 

Join Kyova Tri-State Wild Ones as we demonstrate seed collection, cleaning, and the benefits of leaving natural dieback in the native garden. During this meeting, we will create our region's first native seed library, and prepare for October's seed and cutting swap! 

Explore the ecological and aesthetic advantages of hedges and hedgerows in our upcoming Wild Ones national webinar, “The Beauty and Benefits of Hedgerows” with Heather McCargo, founder of Wild Seed Project.

Native hedgerows are diverse plantings of woody plants from shrubs to small trees along with herbaceous groundcovers at their base.  Learn how these low-maintenance and sustainable plantings of shrubs, trees, and groundcovers can enhance biodiversity, provide critical habitats for wildlife, and contribute to climate resilience. Discover practical tips for designing and implementing hedgerows in various landscapes, from farms to urban settings, and understand their role in supporting pollinators, birds, and soil health. 

 You will also learn about Heather McCargo and the Wild Seed Project's latest collaboration with Wild Ones on the new Native Garden Design for Portland, ME. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from a leading expert in native plant restoration and take your landscaping skills to the next level. 

Please join us for a walk and signature native tree and shrub planting demonstration. Families will learn about best practices in seasonal transfer of plants, participate in site preparation techniques, and learn techniques for safely transferring woody perennials. 

Why do leaves change color? Wildlings will meet to see the colors we can see, and take in the special scents of the living urban forest ecosystem. During this walk, we will discuss the dormancy process of plants, and spark ideas for painting our landscapes with diverse, colorful native deciduous trees. Following this event, we will visit the Huntington Rose Garden to see what we can do to help "put our gardens to bed" after the leaves fall, and learn about our two native rose varieties we can consider planting in our gardens. 

All Wilding Romps are all-weather events. Please come prepared for rain/cool weather with appropriate shoes, rain jackets, and towels and/or blanket following the hike in case of inclement weather.

Learn how to use high-density plantings that replicate natural ecosystems in aesthetically pleasing designs, enhancing ecological functions while reducing maintenance efforts in our upcoming Wild One's national webinar, "Matrix Landscape Design" with author, landscape designer, activist, and educator Benjamin Vogt.

Matrix planting is a landscape design approach that mimics natural ecosystems by closely planting and layering compatible perennials and grasses to cover the soil, provide more ecosystem services, and eliminate the need for wood mulch or aggressive weeding.  Join Wild Ones for a webinar to learn how author, educator, and landscape designer Benjamin Vogt applies this approach to create stunning native gardens. Learn the principles behind this method, its ecological benefits, and practical steps to implement matrix planting in your own garden. 

You will also learn about Benjamin's latest collaboration with Wild Ones on the new Native Garden Design for Lincoln, NE. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from a leading voice in natural garden design and take your gardening skills to the next level. Register now to secure your spot! 

How can we support ecosystems during the cold season? Join us for a walk as we discuss best practices to support the health of plant, soil, and insect species in our local growing zone. 

Native plants have an incredible ability to adapt to climate extremes, offering sustainable solutions for resilient landscapes. Join Wild Ones and the Native Plant Society of Texas to explore the power of native plants to thrive in challenging conditions.

This event features Christy Ten Eyck, founder of Ten Eyck Landscape Architects. Drawing from her latest Dallas-Fort Worth native garden design, Christy will share insights into designing low-maintenance, ecologically rich spaces that withstand intense climate fluctuations.

Join Wild Ones to learn tips, ideas, and resources for planning your garden through the winter months. During this session, we will review landscape designs offered by Wild Ones, as well as sharing information for ordering native seeds, plants, and trees from community sources. 

Neonicotinoid insecticides, commonly known as “neonics,” have become the most widely used insecticides in the U.S., leading to drastic declines in bees, pollinators, birds, and aquatic ecosystems. In this webinar, Lucas Rhoads, Senior Attorney with NRDC’s Pesticides & Pollinators Team, will share expert insights on how neonics impact our environment and pose serious risks to human health. He’ll delve into the harms associated with neonic-treated seeds, which are a major source of contamination, and explore effective policy advocacy strategies to rein in their widespread use without disrupting farmers or landscapers.