Wild Ones Events

Janet Allen of HGCNY will be at Solvay Public Library to talk about a few simple things you can do that will benefit not only the butterflies but other insects and people!

Speaker Bio: Janet is the co-founder and president of Habitat Gardening in Central New York Wild Ones chapter (hgcny.wildones.org/). Her yard is certified as Monarch Waystation #581 by Monarch Watch and as a Certified Wildlife Habitat #27815 by the National Wildlife Federation. She earned the Toastmasters Advanced Communicator Gold certificate.

Update : All spots have been taken so registration has been shut off

Date & Time: Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 10:00 AM 

Location: John Rybinski’s property, Pompey, NY (address provided upon registration)

Join Habitat Gardening CNY for a hands-on tour focused on recognizing invasive species, how to remove them, and the practical management efforts John Rybinski has used to restore his 430-acre conservation property in Pompey.

Over 20 years, John has protected this hilltop land with a permanent conservation easement. He has tackled major invasives such as buckthorn, multiflora rose, and honeysuckle while planting thousands of native trees and improving habitat for wildlife.

During the tour, John will demonstrate:

-How to identify common invasive plants

-Effective techniques for removing and controlling them

-Broader property management strategies, including deer habitat monitoring and native vegetation restoration

You’ll see the positive results: returning native plants and increased biodiversity supporting birds, mammals, and other wildlife.

This tour offers practical, real-world skills you can apply to your own landscape.

Please register at the link below.

Space is limited to 20 people. Each individual sign-up may bring one named guest only. Please include your guest's full name during registration.

Wear sturdy walking shoes for uneven terrain. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate clothing to protect against ticks. Bring binoculars if interested in the birds and wildlife.

Hosted by Habitat Gardening CNY (a chapter of Wild Ones)

Join Wild Ones Habitat Gardening in Central New York for a tour of Go Native! Perennials!

Date: Saturday, June 14

Time: 1 to 3 p.m. (tour 1 to 2 p.m. with optional activities afterwards)

Location: Go Native! Perennials (GNP) is located in and around the large greenhouse at the Brookside entrance of the Limeledge Botanical Garden and Arboretum (LBGA), 1686 NY 321, Elbridge NY, 13060 (adjacent to Carpenters Brook Fish Hatchery).  Meet at the LBGA Memorial Garden by the parking lot.

We’ll tour the Go Native! Perennials nursery and learn about their work with locally adapted seeds, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Seed Bank (MARSB) project, and how the nursery connects with Limeledge’s broader operations. After the tour, you're welcome to join Janice and LBGA Director Phil Crim for a brainstorming session on their program ideas, browse the nursery, or explore the trails at Limeledge.

About the Host:

Janice Wiles, Co‑Founder and Owner of Go Native! Perennials, turned her attention to growing native perennials after retiring from a long career in natural resource conservation and organizational development in Brazil and the USA. She is a Master Gardener with farm business training.

Tips for participants:

Bring water to stay hydrated. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking. Bring a chair for the brainstorming session. If exploring the trails, follow tick-prevention guidelines.

Registration is required: 

This allows us to send important updates regarding weather, cancellations, or changes.

Do you enjoy watching birds in your yard? Learn some interesting facts about some favorite backyard birds and how to provide food, water, cover, and places for them to raise their young with Janet Allen of Our Habitat Garden. Create a bird-friendly landscape and enjoy the daily companionship of birds right at home!

Speaker Bio: Janet is the co-founder and president of Habitat Gardening in Central New York Wild Ones chapter (hgcny.wildones.org/). Her yard is certified as Monarch Waystation #581 by Monarch Watch and as a Certified Wildlife Habitat #27815 by the National Wildlife Federation. She earned the Toastmasters Advanced Communicator Gold certificate.

Registration is required for this event.
 

Wild Ones HGCNY is excited to announce we'll have an educational display at the 2026 Great New York State Fair on August 28th and 29th!

Stop by our display to learn about native plants, creating wildlife habitats, and supporting pollinators in your own backyard! We’ll have displays, resources, friendly advice, and lots of inspiration for gardeners of all levels.

Volunteers Needed! Help us share the exciting world of native plants and habitat gardening with thousands of fair visitors. 

No prior experience required - just a love for native habitats

Flexible shifts available on August 28 & 29

Parking pass and entrance will be free for tabling volunteers!

Ready to join us? 

Learn more about our tabling outreach: https://hgcny.wildones.org/event-tabling/

Volunteer to help at this event: https://hgcny.wildones.org/volunteer-for-tabling/

Or message us directly if you have any questions!

The full Great New York State Fair runs August 26 – September 7, 2026. Get your tickets now!

We can’t wait to see you there — whether as a visitor or a volunteer!

Wild Ones HGCNY is excited to announce we'll have an educational display at the 2026 Great New York State Fair on August 28th and 29th!

Stop by our display to learn about native plants, creating wildlife habitats, and supporting pollinators in your own backyard! We’ll have displays, resources, friendly advice, and lots of inspiration for gardeners of all levels.

Volunteers Needed! Help us share the exciting world of native plants and habitat gardening with thousands of fair visitors. 

No prior experience required - just a love for native habitats

Flexible shifts available on August 28 & 29

Ready to join us? 

Learn more about our tabling outreach: https://hgcny.wildones.org/event-tabling/

Volunteer to help at this event: https://hgcny.wildones.org/volunteer-for-tabling/

Or contact us directly with any questions!

The full Great New York State Fair runs August 26 – September 7, 2026. Get your tickets now!

We can’t wait to see you there — whether as a visitor or a volunteer!

Details coming soon! 

We're excited to return to the Grow Native! Native Plant Festival & Sale - a fantastic event dedicated to native plants and wildlife habitat!

When: Saturday, September 19, 2026, 9 AM–3 PM 

Where: Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, 3395 US-20, Seneca Falls, NY

This popular festival features native plant sales, expert talks, guided tours, vendors, and more - drawing crowds of gardeners, birders, and conservation enthusiasts eager to support pollinators, birds, and biodiversity. It's the perfect opportunity to reach a new, highly motivated audience already committed to natives - we can share Central NY-specific tips, highlight habitat benefits, and introduce HGCNY programs and Wild Ones resources.

Volunteer to help spread the word! 

We need enthusiastic members to staff the booth (flexible shifts throughout the day - no experience needed, just passion!). Great chance to connect with like-minded folks and inspire more native-focused action in our region.

Learn more about our tabling outreach: https://hgcny.wildones.org/event-tabling/

Volunteer to help at this event: https://hgcny.wildones.org/volunteer-for-tabling/

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon!