Wild Ones Events

Join the Habitat Gardening in Central New York (HGCNY) chapter of Wild Ones for this year's Garlic Mustard Pull at Baltimore Woods Nature Center! Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is an aggressive invasive species that outcompetes native spring wildflowers and harms forest biodiversity. By pulling it early in the season—before it sets seed—we help restore and protect the beautiful native plant communities in this 270+ acre preserve.

This is a hands-on volunteer opportunity on Saturday, May 2nd —no prior experience needed! We'll meet in the lower parking lot at 9:45 AM, then walk together to the work site starting at 10:00 AM. We'll pull garlic mustard plants by hand (or cut larger ones if needed), bag them for proper disposal (if necessary), and make a real difference for local pollinators, birds, and native flora.

After the Pull: After the pull, join us for an informal BYO picnic lunch, followed by a casual group walk on the trails to enjoy emerging native plants!

What to Bring/Wear:

Clothing that protects against ticks (long pants/sleeves, tuck pants into socks, consider permethrin-treated gear if you have it);

Comfortable garden gloves for pulling;

Garden scissors or pruners (for cutting taller/mature garlic mustard stems); 

Knee pads (optional—most folks just bend over, but bring if you prefer);

A bagged lunch/snacks and water (we'll take a break afterward for an informal picnic-style lunch). 

Friendly reminder: Baltimore Woods operates on a carry-in, carry-out basis—no trash receptacles available—so whatever you bring in, please carry it back out with you! Thanks for helping us protect this special place. ♻️

This event is free, open to all, and a great way to connect with fellow native plant enthusiasts while giving back to our Central NY ecosystems. 

We'd love to know if you're joining us for the Garlic Mustard Pull - to sign up, please click the Registration button below!

This helps us prepare for the group size and send any weather or last-minute updates.