Chapter 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. 

Come learn about all the benefits of joining the new seedling chapter of Wild Ones! We'll be talking about what meeting dates/times would work best, what programs & projects we'd be interested in, and just hanging out with people who love native plants!

This Doug Tallamy video presents a photo-packed explanation of "The Value of Having Native Plants in our Yards." We'll follow it at another meeting with his presentation on "Creating Healthy, Biodiverse Neighborhood Corridors."

This Doug Tallamy video sets out his ideas that homeowners can use to create a healthy landscape in their neighborhood and attract beneficial insects and wildlife.

Come learn the basics of a native plant habitat from Sharon Burnham, Chapter President and native plant specialist. Sharon believes that even the smallest yard can contribute to a healthier ecosystem for all of us. In support of this guiding principal, Sharon is engaged in a number of projects:

- provided content, photos, and editorial assistance for the publication of the 116-page Guide to Gardening with Southwest Virginia Native Plants; 

- formed a working group to create the Roanoke Valley Native Plant Survey; and

- formed a working group to examine ordinances that may impact native plant gardens.

Sharon also uses her knowledge and skills to assist the community in establishing native plant gardens, including designing the native plant "pocket park" established by Old Southwest, Inc., and advising The Arboretum at Virginia Western Community College, the Mountain View Community Garden, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke, and St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church on their native plant gardens.

Come learn the basics of creating a native plant habitat for wildlife no matter what size garden you have. Sharon Burnham, Chapter President and native plant specialist, will help you understand how to fit it all together. 

Chapter business meeting  with 28 members in attendance.  July 2024 minutes approved, state of chapter information discussed including  money being held by National, chatted about natives tour at the VWCC, needed volunteers for The Bee Festival, and future events.

We'll have a very short business meeting in the VWCC Natural Science Center, followed by a tour of the Arboretum! We'll be looking at some recent native plant installations, as well as the many educational plantings the Arboretum offers. The Arboretum is a "go-to" to learn about plants.

The tour will be led by Kathy Sink, a Master Naturalist and seasoned volunteer at the Arboretum, who knows the place inside and out! See map for building location, circled in red. There's plenty of parking right in front.

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. 

The Mill Mountain Wildflower Garden has been a beacon on Mill Mountain since 1971, with the Mill Mountain Garden Club as its careful steward of this treasure. Come see the revitalized garden with a guide from the Mill Mountain Garden Club.

Mill Mountain Garden Club's Wildflower Garden “restoration campaign” raised more than $200,000 from 2018 to 2021 to transform this two and one-half acre garden into a revitalized urban oasis that will delight Roanokers and visitors for years to come.  The money was raised with the support of the club, its members, donations from the community, foundation grants and awards. The aged pond, at the center of the property has been replaced by a cascading tiered pond.  Walkways have been rerouted and an ADA compliant Discovery Trail lead visitors through the garden and connect with the Mill Mountain Zoo entrance.  Numerous new stone benches, a charming fairy garden and star stump jump have been installed. Breathtaking new vistas have been unveiled with the removal of invasive plants, which had blocked these mountaintop views.  New colorful interpretive signs set the stage for important conservation and horticultural education. Increasing the beauty of the garden, hundreds of native plants, shrubs and trees have been added to the existing landscape.

1. Chapter Formation
2. Bylaws
3. Chapter Assets & Access
4. Programs

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. 

This will be an informal get-together. Bring a plant, or photo(s), or sample to talk about or ask questions about. Examples: One member is going to highlight Rhus aromatica 'Gro-low'. Another member is going to show some pictures of an area at a veterinary office to get some ideas of what to plant. If you want to show photos, bring some printouts, or put them on a thumb drive to display via a computer. Let's learn from each other!

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! 

Let's get social for our Annual Meeting! Bring snacks and/or finger desserts to share. We'll have an overview of our first year and what's next. We'll finish with a short talk on collecting native seeds and preparing your garden for winter.

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.

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.