Chapter Calendar

Native plants are the foundation of habitat, but wildlife need more than food to thrive. Join ecologist and Certified Wildlife Biologist Shaun McCoshum, PhD, to explore how nesting sites, shelter, water, soil conditions, and other often-overlooked resources can transform a yard into a functioning ecosystem that supports biodiversity year-round.

Chapter President Sharon Burnham will  guide us through collecting seeds from our native plant gardens and how to do so ethically from wild areas. All in anticipation of our native seed swap in November! She'll also cover fall garden care to take the best care of your native plant garden and wildlife.

Wild Ones is having its first Plant Swap & Shop! Bring labeled native plants to trade. Hang out and talk native plants. No plants to swap? Ninebark Nursery and Root 11 Native Nursery will have plants available for purchase. 

What does it really take to turn a conventional lawn into a thriving native meadow? Join Owner & Principal, New Directions in the American Landscape (NDAL), Sara Weaner Cooper for a candid look at her family's ongoing lawn-to-meadow transformation featured in The New York Times and BBC. Drawing from three years of hands-on experience, Sara will share the methods, lessons learned, successes, and challenges of converting turfgrass into a dynamic native plant community. Participants will gain practical insights into site preparation, planting, management, and the ecological principles that guide successful meadow establishment, along with realistic expectations for how these landscapes evolve over time.

Registration link coming soon.

Our guest speaker for this evening is Greg Corman, landscape designer, sculptor, and WORR member! His experience in gardening ranges from Arizona to Virginia plus a few foreign countries.  In this presentation he will discuss how to create fun, functional spaces and incorporate artistic elements into a native plant garden.

Bats are among the most important and misunderstood wildlife in our communities. Join experts from Bat Conservation International to explore how native plants, healthy insect populations, and thoughtful landscape design can help support bats. Learn about the ecological role of bats and discover practical ways to create habitat for North America's night flyers right in your own backyard.

Do you want to see more birds, wildlife and pollinators in your landscape?  Discover how native plants support a diverse ecosystem and why they are a good choice for your future plantings.

 Our speaker for this program is Keala (kay - ah - la) Timko, whose experience spans:

·        Gardening on two continents, four countries, and eight states

·        Specialties: Ecological Restoration, Sustainability, Native Plants, Insects and Food Webs

·        18-year Cooperative Extension Master Gardener 

·        Harrison Fellow of the Historic Landscape Institute of Monticello and UVA  

·        Moved to Rockingham County, VA in 2013

·        Husband, Dave, and Keala designed and built their net-zero home, while attempting to eradicate invasive plant species and to ecologically restore their 9+ acres with native plants.

·        Enjoys sharing horticulture knowledge and gardening experiences 

Zoe Evans, rewilding coach and VP of Partnerships & Programs at Wildr shares a practical, science-informed framework for evaluating a home landscape, identifying its greatest habitat opportunities, and choosing actions that support more plants, insects, birds, and other wildlife.

Registration link coming soon.

Annual Chapter Meeting with State of the Chapter Report, Year-end review, potluck and raffle! Please bring a dish to share, and please bring your own plate/cup/utensils to keep down on the waste. 

Learn from Bugs Utsey of Root 11 Native Plant Nursery and experienced grower Sharon Burnham on how to grow your own native perennials from seed! They'll go over the basic requirements of seed starting, how to research each plant, and what to do once they’ve sprouted.  They'll also talk about different methods you can use, depending on the plant and your needs, such as using the refrigerator and freezer or by seeding pots with a method to yield the best success. 

Root 11 Native Plant Nursery in Lexington, VA,  is  a small nursery dedicated to growing and promoting Virginia’s native plants–specifically those from the Ridge and Valley region. Recognizing the importance of genetic diversity, Root 11 strives to acquire seeds from local sources, including sustainably harvested seeds from wild populations, private properties, and regional seed vendors. 

Bugs started Root 11 in 2023 with a passion for native plants and their importance in our local ecosystems. He is a Virginia Certified Horticulturist through the Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association. Alongside the nursery, he works as a landscape designer with a landscape architect, where he incorporates native plants into designs to create resilient plantings. While he does the growing, his husband Joe helps run the business, and their three Australian cattle dogs (Odin, Loki, and Freyja) help keep guard of the plants.

No yard required. Learn how native plants can turn patios, balconies, containers, and other small spaces into meaningful habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. This practical panel will cover plant selection, container design, seasonal care, and realistic ways to support biodiversity in limited spaces.

Registration link coming soon.

TBA

Birds depend on healthy, connected habitats for food, shelter, nesting, and migration support. Join experts from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to explore how native plants and thoughtful landscape choices can support birdlife at home. Learn how gardens, yards, and community spaces can provide the insects, seeds, berries, cover, and habitat structure birds need throughout the year.

Registration link coming soon. 

TBA

Monarch butterflies depend on a network of habitats stretching across North America, and home landscapes can play an important role in their survival. Join experts from Monarch Joint Venture to explore the science behind monarch conservation, including the importance of milkweed, nectar resources, and regionally appropriate habitat. Learn practical ways to support monarchs through native landscaping and help sustain one of the world's most remarkable migrations.
 

Registration link coming soon. 
 

TBA