Chapter Events

Presentation of the use of native plants in all the gardens to the owners of the Hospital.  First step is to grow sturdy bushy hedges to keep out dogs.  Owners do not want to use fencing. There are 8 gardens that we will be addressing.  Any plants must not be toxic

Presentation was developed at a regular monthly meeting with everyone's input on hedge selections.  Suggestion was to do this in two parts.  Grow hedges first and then add ground covers and flowers to beautify the inside of all the hedges. 

Most gardens are rectangles and the hedges would be 3 sided.  5 gardens are visible from the patient rooms which necessitates the need for flowers on the inside of the hedges.

No expense to the WO as seeds will be purchased by the Owners.  I will be presenting and once seeds come in, I will be starting them for the owners so they will be ready to plant in spring.

Grow your own native perennials from seed! Experienced growers Ruth Reyer and Sharon Burnham will demonstrate two different methods for starting native perennials. We’ll talk about the basic requirements for most seeds: cold and moisture. We’ll demonstrate how to imitate nature by using the refrigerator and freezer or by seeding pots with a method to yield the best success. We’ll also talk about other aspects of seed starting, how to research each plant, and what to do once they’ve sprouted. Finally, each person will make their own coffee filter seed packet to take home to try out the refrigerator method.

Join us for the first of our Belmont Library series. This class will focus on the why and how native plants benefit pollinators with an overview of native trees, shrubs, and perennials to grow. We'll be distributing some native seeds and talking about what you should do with them in winter.

Our next programs are February 22 and April 26

All Wild Ones Members are welcome to attend the Chapter Board Meeting.

All are welcome to join this free virtual panel discussion exploring the vital roles of native, solitary, and honeybees in pollination and biodiversity. Featuring experts Sam Droege (USGS), Dave Hunter (Crown Bees), and Dr. Lora Morandin (Pollinator Partnership), this event will discuss into the challenges pollinators face, the balance between managed and wild bees, and actionable ways to support all pollinators.

Gain insights from over 90 years of combined experience and learn how to advocate for pollinator habitats through planting native species, participating in community science, and adopting responsible management practices.

Join us for the second in our series, at which we'll talk about when and how to plant native seeds. We provided seeds at our first  program on January 25, but we'll try to bring some extra in case you missed it. 

Partnering with Plant SWVA Natives, we will be distributing the bareroot plants ordered previously.

Meredith Hoggatt, Associate Extension Agent, on behalf of 4 the Soil, will talk about building soil health.

All of us have direct and indirect efforts on the soil. Whether when we maintain acres of farmland, an urban garden, or a lawn, or when we purchase produce and meat at the store, we all influence soil health. 

While soils are complex, taking care of it can be simple. Come learn about the four core principles of soil health:

(1) Keep soil covered; (2) Minimize disturbance; (3) Maximize living roots; (4) Energize with diversity. 

Each principle builds on each other. We can start with one and implement each as we grow in ways that fits our lifestyle and landscape.

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.

Wild Ones Roanoke is proud to be a special guest at Blindhouse Beer's March Drink & Draw, now including a Seed swap! Join us for an afternoon where art meets agriculture at this laid-back art social.
Featuring LEAP (Local Environmental Agriculture Project), who'll bring fresh produce and garden treasures as drawing subjects. Wild Ones Roanoke will be there with native plant information and seeds, as well as the Salem Public Library's Seed Library!

Whether you're an artist, gardener, or just curious about sustainable growing, come create with us! Bring your art supplies (some basics provided) and any seeds you'd like to swap.

Draw without judgment Exchange seeds Learn about local food systems and native plants Connect with community

@boochadeecreates will be hosting.

March 22nd, 2025 ⏰ 2-5 PM Blindhouse Beer Co. 534 Salem Ave SW, Roanoke

A portion of beer proceeds supports LEAP's mission of fresh, local food for all.

Members are welcome to attend our Chapter Board Meeting to discuss the direction of the Chapter.

Sharon Burnham, President of Wild Ones and a Master Gardener since 2009, will give a picture-packed presentation on why and how native plants benefit pollinators and wildlife, with an overview of native trees, shrubs, and perennials to grow in your home garden.

Grassland loss is the single greatest conservation issue currently facing eastern North American biodiversity. Our precious Southeastern grasslands are nearly extinct and the species that depend on them are fading fast. Many of our Southeastern grasslands that managed to persist through the past 200 years have disappeared in the past quarter-century. Cities such as Charlotte, Chattanooga, Huntsville, Montgomery, Nashville, Raleigh-Durham, Richmond, and Tallahassee, among others, are as much "grassland cities" as Austin, Fort Worth, and Tulsa.

Alaina Krakowiak of the Southeastern Grassland Institute will discuss the importance of Southeastern Grasslands to our ecosystems, what's being done to preserve them, and how you can help.

More information about SGI can be found at https://www.segrasslands.org/ 

Find a PBS documentary about this effort here: 

https://youtu.be/FJdpt2x57BI?feature=shared

In this final program, we'll talk about how to care for and/or transplant your new seedlings from the prior programs. Feel free to bring what you have growing to add to the discussion.

You don't want to miss the annual native plant sale conducted by the Blue Ridge Wildflower Society. Hundreds of perennials and woody plants, all native to our mountain region. 

Does your camera see what you see when you look at your beautiful garden? Chances are you are disappointed in the images you capture.  

Stephanie Klein-Davis, fine art photographer and teacher, will discuss and demonstrate how to look at your garden through your camera's eye. She will talk about our most common camera – our phone – and how to achieve the best photographs you can. 

Klein-Davis is an award winning, career photojournalist. Her professional experience includes years of working for newspapers, magazines, books, and international publications.  She taught college photography at Hollins University and Virginia Western Community College, and now teaches full-time in the Fine Arts Department at William Fleming High School in Roanoke, Virginia.

For more about Klein-Davis, see her website at https://www.klein-davis.photography/ 

Christ Bryant, Master Gardener and Tree Steward, will describe the importance of planting trees for environmental equity as well as to keep bees happy!

Sharon Burnham, President of Wild Ones, has been developing her one-acre property into a native plant and habitat garden for over 10 years. The property has shady gardens, sunny shrub borders, a hazelnut grove, and a mixed fruit and shrub hedgerow. Habitat features include creative uses for woody debris, water features, insect habitat, and bird boxes. Sustainability features include multiple compost bins, including separate bins for composting dog waste.

Although there are areas in transition from conventional planting to native, come see over 110 native species in a real-life garden! 

We'll conclude with refreshments in a lovely courtyard garden.

Due to space limitations, we regret that we must restrict this event to members only. Join Wild Ones today at https://members.wildones.org/ Registration link to be posted in June.

Toni Peppin,  Professor of Ornithology at Virginia Western Community College, will give us a “bird's eye” view of native plants in our gardens. Come hear how we can help the birds and butterflies around us.

Dr. Shannon Bell, Professor of Sociology, Virginia Tech, is the project director of The Forest Botanicals Region Living Monument, which celebrates the historical and present-day traditions and relationships that many different Appalachian peoples have long held with the bountiful medicinal herbs and forest foods that can be found growing wild throughout the Appalachian woodland understory. 

She will talk about why the monument was created, and the histories of Appalachian peoples' longstanding relationships with our woodland medicinal plants and forest foods. 

More information about the Living Monument and an online exhibit can be found here: https://forestbotanicalsregion.vt.domains/exhibits/show/online-exhibit

Dr. Bell is an environmental sociologist and Appalachian Studies scholar whose current research projects focus on forest-based traditions and lifeways in Central Appalachia.

Details coming soon! 

TBA

Details coming soon! 

Get up close and personal with soil microorganisms! Following up on our February presentation on healthy soil, Ruth Reyer will give us a live microscope presentation scanning through a different soil samples from field and forest. She'll discuss the soil food web and the reciprocal relationship between it, the plants, and ourselves.

Ruth raises honey bees, coturnix quail, microgreens, native nursery plants, vermiculture, herbs, and vegetables. She sells at local markets and through a seasonal CSA.

We'll also have an overview of our year, hold elections, and discuss the coming year.

Details coming soon!