Events

Come learn how to Winter Sow native seeds to use in your garden next year! Winter sowing is an affordable and easy way to grow plants from seed. You'll need a few empty plastic milk jugs, some potting soil and some Virginia native seeds. We'll have some to share, or bring your own. We will also have an informal seed swap.  

Registration Details will be provided soon.

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. 

Come help remove invasive plants from a local Fairfax County Park in preparation for restoring habitat.  We'll be working on removing bush honeysuckle, japanese honeysuckle and various other invasive species.

Come get a private tour of Watermark Woods! You'll have an opportunity to purchase plants. 

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. 

Matt Bright will offer an informational talk and tour of the wild plant nursery

Bring your surplus VA native seeds and plants and/or take what you need from the group!  This event is free and open to the public.

Several Wild Ones members are needed as volunteers.  Contact wildonesnova@gmail to learn more.

Come get a private tour of Arlington National Cemetery's native plants from the  horticulturalist on site.  This tour will be on foot, and will last about 2 hours.  Please come prepared.

Date:                     Saturday, April 27, 2024

Time:                    All meet at 9:00 am inside Welcome Center, near kiosk.  The tour run from 9 to 11 am.

Parking:               Paid parking, once parked go to Welcome Center and go through the magnetometers.

Metro:                  Once off of Metro, walk into the Welcome Center, and go through our magnetometers.

I’ll be standing by for folks and will be on the look-out for you and the group.

Restrooms:         In Welcome Center

Folks should know the landscapes are far apart from each other, but will be a beautiful walk of the cemetery

Registration and additional details to follow. 

Visit the native plantings at Fairfax County Government Center guided by Joe Gorney, an Environmental Planner with the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development and a Fairfax Master Naturalist. Mr. Gorney received Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination’s Environmental Excellence Award in 2023 in recognition of his collaborative work with county agencies on a diverse range of environmental review topics, with the aim of creating a sustainable future for residents and employees.

Mr. Gorney will discuss progress in invasives removal and planting designs, species used, installation, and maintenance of native plants in several areas near the Government Center Building. He will also describe work that has been done to restore the stream in the Memorial Grove on the Government Center property.

Registration link to come.

Acting chapter officers will meet to discuss plans for future chapter events, completion of the chartering process, and our first annual meeting/officer election.  Board member attendance is mandatory and other members are welcome.

https://teams.live.com/meet/9360582137531?p=hLuLO3yewTmiWQfMtarget=%22_blank%22tabindex=%220%22dir=%22auto%22

Join us for a presentation on galls and a nature walk to view them in person

Wild Ones NoVA will be sharing some beginner information about Native Plants, why they are important and how they can be part of your landscaping whether formal or informal.   

This presentation will be directly after church services in the fellowship hall.  

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. 

Our first all membership meeting to discuss club business for the upcoming year, elect board members, and socialize

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. 

Be inspired by member Juan Gonzalez's native garden!

Glenn Towle was our guide for a tour of the gardens surrounding his private residence. Since 2018, Glenn has been fostering woodland shade gardens that feature diverse species from the Piedmont ecoregion, including large areas of naturally occurring native plants, offering seasonal interest year round. Glenn  discussed his approach to blending gardening and nature through use of
low-maintenance gardening strategies that largely leave stewardship of the gardens to nature.

Bring your surplus VA native seeds and plants and/or take what you need from the group!  This event is free and open to the public.

Several Wild Ones members are needed as volunteers.  Contact wildonesnova@gmail to learn more.

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! 

This event is for Wild Ones-NoVA members interested in Mason Neck State Park's Grasses for the Masses program

Grasses for the Masses is an ongoing Mason Neck State Park Project that relies on schools, organizations, and citizens to grow and plant native aquatic grasses that are beneficial for Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay water quality. 

This is an equipment-heavy project that requires participants to dedicate considerable space in their home or garage. Hear from a Wild Ones-NoVA member who participated in the project in 2024 to learn if participation in this project is right for you.  

Zoom Link

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/72147263015?pwd=HAPZBtRomU6jikoa93iBLNh63nhJc4.1

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.

Learn how to engage with your state representative and senator to support bills that protect native plants.

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.