Events

Join Brian Heeringa, Wildlife Biologist for the Washburn Ranger District of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, on January 15 to learn about the Management and Biodiversity of the Moquah Barrens.

Brian will take attendees on a brief trip through the management history of the Moquah Barrens describing how the barrens were formed, the influence of humans on the landscape, and the efforts by land managers to restore not only the Moquah Barrens but the larger Northwest Sands landscape. Along the way Brian will also describe the diversity of animals, plants, and insects that rely on barrens ecosystems and the efforts by the Forest Service to better understand the influences of management actions on the landscape and the species that rely on it.

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. 

For our February meet up, we'll have a casual conversation on some of our top reasons to grow (more) native plants. We will also talk about a few keystone perennial wildflowers and other tips for getting started. This will be a brief, informal presentation followed by time to chat, catch up, and talk plants.

Are you a native plant enthusiast who also grows food in your home garden? Or a veggie grower who wants to attract more pollinators by adding native plants? Maybe even a forager who wants to invite more wild food plants into your own yard?!

Let's explore the overlap between building habitat for wildlife and supporting our own human wellbeing through home-grown food.

We each have our own perspectives. This discussion will be led by chapter officer Marisa Lee, whose interest in both native plants and edible landscapes developed from studying Anishinaabe cultural relationships with plants - yielding the title for this talk, Anishinaabe Food Forest.

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. 

Ganawenindiwag is a newly published planting guide, focusing on native plants and highlighting their importance to humans in addition to their roles in protecting our shoreline habitats on the big lake. Project team members Rob Croll (Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission) and Karina Heim (Lake Superior Estuarine Research Reserve) will share a presentation on this new resource at our April meet-up.

Chapter officer Vicki Alldritt will lead a native plant container garden workshop Monday, May 13 at 5:30 pm at The Club in Washburn. This is an opportunity to learn how to create and care for a native container garden, while planting up a container to take home and enjoy.

This workshop will be held outdoors rain or shine. A $30 registration fee covers all materials: container, soil, and native plants from Wildflower Woods. Registration will be capped at 10 participants due to limited space and materials. However, all are welcome to observe the workshop at no charge, to simply learn about this project.

Della and Becky gave us a wonderful talk and tour last year. Going back to this local native plant nursery is one of our most requested activities for 2024. We will meet at the Washburn library between 5:30-5:40 for carpooling or caravan, if you are uncertain where to go. If you need to drive directly to the nursery, the address is 75415 Church Corner Rd. Wildflower Woods does not have retail hours when the nursery is open to the public, so this tour is truly a special opportunity! Plants will be available for purchase.

Axel Peterman will lead a plant walk along the Ashland waterfront to teach about responsible foraging practices and introduce the group to some wild edible plants of this region.

Axel has years of experience as a foraging instructor. He generously donated this 10-person activity to the Chequamegon Bay Seed Fair silent auction - and one of our members placed the winning bid!

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. 

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. 

Next month, we will venture out for a plant walk at Wayside Wanderings Natural Play Area in Cable. We will take a short loop along a woodland trail featuring several play structures. This unique setting offers an opportunity to consider ways we can invite more human engagement into the native plantings and wildlife habitats we each tend.

From the Cable Natural History Museum website: This Museum property was once the homestead of our founding director and naturalist, Lois Nestel. Lois wrote a newspaper column titled “Wayside Wanderings,” for which this natural play area is named.

Dress for the outdoors. There is a pavilion onsite with restrooms. Visiting the museum after our walk is strongly encouraged!

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! 

We will share a light meal, look back at 2024, look ahead to 2025, and hold elections.

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.

Do you have native wildflower seeds to share or want to add more wildflowers to your garden? The seed swap is back! 

No seeds? No problem! Some other helpful items to bring include native seed catalogs and field guides (so folks can check growing conditions or see what plants will look like), as well as small envelopes or other tiny containers to bring your seeds home with you.

If you do have seeds to share, please come at least 10 minutes early to set up. We have the main room in the lower level beginning at 5 pm.

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.