Wild Ones 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. 

Dr. Don Leopold, Distinguished Teaching Professor, SUNY-ESF (College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY), will discuss the ecology of natural native plant communities in the Northeast that include species found on remarkably difficult sites, e.g., highly alkaline, saline, acidic, droughty, and flooded. Native plants found in these communities will be highlighted, including their ecological role and how they can be used in the home garden as well as larger-scale projects. 

Jeanne Shenandoah from the Onondaga Nation and Catherine Landis from SUNY-ESF will discuss plants in Onondaga Nation territory. Jeanne will speak from her years of experience as a plant knowledge holder, midwife, and environmental leader for her community. Catherine will share stories from her work on the historical ecology of the area, focused on plants and plant communities. The relationship of people to land and plants will be featured throughout the program.

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. 

Central New York has hundreds of species of native pollinators, many of which have specialized relationships with native plants, unique habitats, and even each other.

Join SUNY ESF pollinator ecologist Molly Jacobson to learn about their fascinating ecology and how to rebuild these intricate webs of interactions in our own yards, by making habitat that supports not just the familiar generalists but the weird and wonderful - and sometimes vulnerable - specialists too.

Molly Jacobson is a Native Pollinator Ecologist at the Restoration Science Center at SUNY-ESF.

Invasive species are one of the largest drivers of ecological change on planet Earth today and cost the US $120 billion annually, and their impacts are expected to only increase in the coming decades. Horticulture can play a crucial role in helping prevent and control the spread of invasive plant species — not only to help the environment — but to save yourself time, energy, and money.

Come learn about invasive species that might be popping up in your garden and how you can be a part of the solution to this growing problem.

Matt Gallo is a Terrestrial Invasive Species Coordinator at the Finger Lakes Institute - Finger Lakes PRISM; Hobert and William Smith Colleges.

Join us at Wild Ones HGCNY’s field trip to Beaver Lake Nature Center’s new native plant gardens! Our guide will be Steph Reeves, Gardener at BLNC. She designed the gardens and is very familiar with the plants and the history of the project. Get ready to be inspired!

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. 

To celebrate their 20th anniversary, Wild Ones Habitat Gardening in CNY Chapter (HGCNY) is holding a daylong event on September 7, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY.

Tickets are $20 and include morning and afternoon admission to presentations by two well-known native plant experts, door prize tickets for an assortment of helpful native plant gardening books and a bag lunch.

Everyone is welcome and tickets are not required to drop in throughout the day. Learn about landscaping with native plants, shop for native plants at the plant sale and enjoy an afternoon guided tour of native plant restoration projects at Baltimore Woods. At lunchtime, our afternoon speaker, Carolyn Summers, will sell and sign her new book, "Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East".

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! 

Learn how to directly and indirectly support pollinators in woodlands and in our home landscapes. The presentation will discuss native trees/shrubs that support our native moths and butterflies via larval host plants (leaves for caterpillars) and on trees/shrubs that provide pollen and nectar during their bloom period. Handouts will provide a list of common New York native trees and shrubs with site requirements to assist with plant selection. 

Lacey Smith is the Northeast Regional Partner Biologist for the Pollinator Partnership.

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.

Through the years, not only have we benefited from native plants grown at our nurseries but we’ve gotten to know the “people behind the plants.”

Recently, we’ve been thrilled to have quite a few new native plant nurseries in CNY. We’ve enjoyed buying and planting their plants, but many of us haven’t had a chance to get to the new people behind the plants. Our November zoom meeting will give us this opportunity!

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.