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. 

Join us to plant native seeds for this year's plant sales and local native plantings. It's always fun to get our hands dirty in anticipation of the coming spring! All supplies provided, and all are welcome. 
We will also have native seeds available for your own planting, and information on winter and spring sowing.
Math-Science building Room 116 (Biology lab next to the greenhouse). Park in Lot G behind the MS building.

KISS THE GROUND unveils a game-changer: We can reverse global warming and the Earth’s soil is the solution. By regenerating earth, we can completely and rapidly stabilize our planet’s climate, restore lost ecosystems, and create abundant food supplies.

With epic footage shot on five continents, striking visuals from NASA and NOAA, and stunning animation, the documentary conveys this critical message through the voices of leading scientists, ecologists, and experts including Nobel Laureates in climate, members of the International Panel on Climate Change, top scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), as well as environmental activists. As an urgent call to action in addressing the world’s climate crisis, KISS THE GROUND artfully illustrates an accessible, relatively simple solution to humanity’s greatest challenge. 

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. 

Join us "up north" for an afternoon of exploring spring wildflowers in Alger County. Our walk will be led by Deb Leblanc. Deb retired after 40 years of service as the Hiawatha NF West Zone plant ecologist/botanist and Hiawatha NF Native Plant program coordinator. We are thrilled to have her share her expertise with us!
Meet at the Miner's Castle overlook parking lot in Pictured Rocks near Munising. From there we will check other spots along Miner's Castle Rd. to see a variety of species. Remember that Pictured Rocks has an entry fee, so participants should have an entry pass for this event. They can be purchased online (https://www.nps.gov/piro/planyourvisit/fees.htm) or at the visitor's station located at Munising Falls on Sand Point Rd. just east of Munising, which is now open after renovation.

Join us at Portage Marsh State Wildlife Management Area, south of Escanaba, for a walk exploring the plants and animals that call this place home. This will be an easy walk on a flat trail, with a stroll down to the beach. Bring binoculars if you have them! 
Meet at the parking lot at the end of Portage Point Rd.

Last summer's Gladstone yard tour was quite popular, so we're repeating it this year with two new sites in the city of Escanaba. We'll tour of the native yard plantings at the homes of Wild Ones members Brian Black and Valerie Heemstra in Escanaba. Valerie's yard was just designated "Certified Native Habitat" by Wild Ones! These small city lots at different stages of naturalization provide great examples of what can be done in a small, urban space. Join us and get ideas for your own yard!

"This nearly 500-acre county farm has been developed into a conservation and horticulture education and demonstration area. In the Arboretum is a majestic hardwood forest, winding walking trails, a restored prairie, and demonstration gardens." We will visit the diverse demonstration gardens, which include both native and cultivars adapted to a variety of habitats, as well as walk the loop trail of the restored prairie, which is exhibiting its full August growth with a variety of grasses and blooming wildflowers! Our guide will be Marinette area Master Gardener and arboretum volunteer Linda Warren.

The tour will begin at 2:00 Eastern time (1:00pm Central time) at Harmony Arboretum. For anyone who wants to carpool from Escanaba, we will depart at 12:45 Eastern time from UPHS Doctor's Park office parking lot at the corner of S. Lincoln Rd. and 8th Ave. South.

Harmony Arboretum is located on County Rd. E, 1/2 mile south of Hwy 64, 8 miles west of Marinette. It is very easy to find!

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 Central U.P. Chapter of Wild Ones will be holding its annual "Mushroom Walk" on Sunday, Sept. 8th @ 3:00 pm at the West Side Recreation Area in Escanaba. Meet at the parking lot off of 19th Ave. North behind the Great Lakes Sports club. Laurie Johnson and Jim Gehling will guide participants through the ins and outs of fungus foraging, identification and appreciation. We will go for an easy hike to look for and identify mushrooms and fungi of all types. This is a family friendly event. Bring along any interesting fungi you have found; it's great to have a variety of specimens to look at! (Please harvest responsibly.)

All are welcome. RSVPs are appreciated but not required, through this Facebook page or email [email protected]. Please share with your friends!

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. 

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! 

Wild Ones Central U.P. chapter members are invited to attend our annual business meeting at Bay College Heirman Building (JHUC) Room 903 at 5:00pm! We hope you can attend to help us review the past year and plan for the new one, as well as catch up with fellow members and talk about our gardening successes and challenges of 2024.

There will be snacks!

RSVP's are not required, but if you can respond here using the attendance buttons it would be appreciated.

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.