Upcoming Events

The Grant Committee met to look at applications for the grant and decide details on how to proceed. This involves what to give the runner up for a gift, how to announce the winner and runner up, who to ask to be on the Resource Group to help the winner with their plan and what kind of paperwork is needed for the winner.

We also need to get a list of press contacts for a press release and write a small article with a photo.

Planning meeting to determine dates for seeding and transplanting at the greenhouse based on last year's schedule. We will review the plant lists and discuss if any changes in procedures are needed. 

Are you interested in supporting pollinators but not sure how to get started? Ceci Kiefer will discuss the best practices to attract and support pollinators with native plants. Find out why native plants are preferred for pollinator gardens and which you should consider as you get started. 

This presentation is the first of two that will give you all that you need to know about native plant selection. This is the first of two sessions and you can attend one or both this one and the next session on February 21st which will cover the next steps in the process.

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. 

Seeding plants into trays for the sale.

This is the second presentation by Ceci Kiefer, along with Justin Kroening,  to follow the "Why Natives" session, addressing site selection, preparation and planting. You do not need to have attended the January session to attend this session. There will be plenty of time for questions, so bring your ideas and concerns.

Seeding plants for the sale.

We will be doing the last of the seeding and first of the transplanting of plants for the sale.

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. 

Transplanting plants to pots for the sale. We also seeded more of particular needed species to reach our projected order amounts.

We will be transplanting seedlings into pots for the Pollinator Kit orders.

First maintenance of the season to clean up the garden bed.

Digging and transplanting plants into pots for the sale.

Our chapter had a table at this event run by Mosquito Hill Nature Conservancy. One of our members ran this table event for us and gave out copies of our brochures and answered people's questions.

Digging and transplanting the last of the species needed for the Pollinator kits.

The group will be weeding and removing Cup plants.

A table presentation at the store to inform customers about plants that feed birds, pollinators and wildlife. We will answer questions and promote the mission of Wild Ones.

Spring cleaning of the garden bed behind the Tank Cottage in Heritage Hill State Park., involving edging, weeding and removing debris. Bring your own garden tools (gloves, trowels, pruners) and a folding chair. Snacks and water will be provided. Park along Lazarre St. and come for some fellowship along with getting your hands in the dirt. Work sign up will be divided into two time slots on the Sign Up Genius app.

A guided tour of the Baird Creek property by the Baird Creek Preservation Foundation. The Board President, Charlie Frisk, will be the tour guide for the day. There are some hills and bridges, so please be aware, and wear good walking/hiking shoes. We should be able to see the spring flowering native plants and hopefully, the nesting Barred Owl pair in the preserve. Park at the Christa McAuliffe park at 3100 Sitka St.

The Wild Petunia plants need to be dug and moved to allow space for the Prairie Smoke plants. The plants then can be moved to a different location and volunteers may be able to take a plant too.

We will be assembling the pollinator kits ordered for the sale on June 1st. Any extra plants will be organized to sell as individual plants.

This is the annual Pollinator Kit Sale for our spring plant sale. Orders will be picked up and extra plants may be purchased. Yard signs will be for sale. Literature and membership information will be available and chapter members will be available to ask questions.

Review the Pollinator Kit sale to discuss what went well and what to change. The Board to discuss upcoming events, mostly the collaboration with the DNR and the Jolliett Park restoration project.

Join us as we continue our efforts to maintain and beautify the garden beds behind the Tank Cottage at Heritage Hill State Park. This spring, we're focusing on thinning out undesirable plants and spreading mulch to retain moisture and control grass growth.

What to Bring:

Garden tools (gloves, trowels, garden seats)

A folding chair for breaks

A treat to pass 

Fellowship and the satisfaction of getting your hands in the dirt!
Sign up now and join us for a day of community, nature, and fun!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4AACAA22A2F8C61-49694275-garden#/

Regular maintenance work weeding at the garden.

Regular maintenance for the garden.

We will be touring the property of Jim and Sandy LaLuzerne, showing a wide variety of native herbaceous and woody plants. Some facts about this tour:

·       Original 5 acres was totally barren

·       Currently total of 23 acres

·       Over 2 miles of trails

·       Some old growth wooded areas

·       Several Brown County Champion Trees

·       200 plus species of trees and woody plants

·       Hundreds of native species of grasses, flowers, water plants, sedges, mosses, lichen, algae, etc.

·       Several prairies

·       Fish, amphibians, insects, arthropods, mammals, birds, etc. (create a habitat and they will come)

·       Fungi

·       Dead trees (standing and fallen)

·       Certified Wildlife Habitat

·       Monarch Way station

We will tour the property of Ken and Judy Sikora, past members of our chapter and native plant enthusiasts. We may also get to see the planting that Judy has managed at the nearby Quarry Park.

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. 

Annual late season plant sale of all the native plant inventory at Stone Silo Prairie Gardens, assisted by our chapter members. Our members will be on hand to assist customers with any questions and we will provide literature at our information table.

We will be touring the suburban property of Doris Theeke.

Brianna Kupsky along with Mandy Mellinger and Jessica Brandt from the DNR will be presenting their work to restore habitat along the upper Fox River and the Bay of Green Bay. They have 12 large scale projects along the along the last 7 miles of the lower Fox River and the lower Green Bay. This is funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative with an accelerated timeline to be completed by 2030. To accomplish this, they are looking for help from local conservation, recreation and interest groups to align with community priorities, identify co-benefits at project sites, and spark interest in long term stewardship efforts. We will learn about the opportunity to make a difference in our county for the future of our local ecosystem. 

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. 

Justin Kroening of Stone Silo Prairie Gardens will show us the best techniques to identify, collect and store native seed for winter sowing. Everyone will be able to collect some seed from his prairie on the property.

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! 

Annual meeting to review the past calendar events, elect any board positions available, share native seeds members wish to share, and enjoy dinner and fellowship with other members.