Chapter Events

Take a stroll with fellow native plant enthusiasts around Shor Park off Tealtown Road (near Cincinnati Nature Center). 

Our stroll will center around the Wetland Restoration and Rain Garden and beyond into a wooded area in the park. The walk will be informal and lead by GCWO member.

From the park's website:

Take a walk on our wooded trail and you’ll probably hear some of the chorus frogs and other wildlife that make this habitat their home. In partnership with Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District and a grant from the Ohio EPA, a Wetland Restoration Project that included invasive plant removal, stream restorations and the installation of three wetlands was implemented at Shor. The restoration will be ongoing in our efforts to create a more native and diverse wildlife areas in the county.

Rain Gardens, like the one installed at Shor Park, are depressions that can help to collect rain water that may be carrying pollutants like oils, fertilizers and other chemicals. The water is filtered with the help of native grasses, perennials and the right combination of soil types that help to retain the pollutants and slow the water flow. Not only are rain gardens a benefit to water quality, they attract native wildlife, help to feed migrating species like the Monarch Butterfly, and bring additional color and beauty to any outside area.

RSVP's not required, however, it is helpful so we know to look for you before starting the walk. Email [email protected]

You planted native. Your neighbor has opinions. Maybe your HOA does too. If you’ve ever felt like the hardest part of native plant gardening is the conversations, not the gardening, you’re not alone.

Wild Ones is thrilled to share this upcoming free webinar as part of the 2026 Less Lawn More Life Challenge. Join Lorraine Johnson for a practical conversation on navigating HOA rules, addressing neighbor concerns, and fostering community conversations about native plant gardening and ecological landscapes.

On Friday, July 24th join Greater Cincinnati Wild Ones for a summer afternoon stroll  through the recently added Native Prairie Garden at Central Park in Forest Park. 

Central Park, 1201 W Kemper Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45240

The walk begins at 12:30 pm and will meet by the Senior Citizen Center.

Join us for and informal stroll that will include plant identification, discussion of plants chosen and their benefits, along with other topics of interest to the group. 

Afterward starting at 2:30 pm, meet at Forest Park Library Branch Meeting Room A for a social and discussion centered around why we want to be stewards of the world around us, tips on getting started, and how to keep growing your ‘wild’ yard.

Forest Park Library, 660 Northland Blvd, Cincinnati, OH 45240

During this time, we will discuss ways to add (or add more) native plants to your landscape.  Chat will focus around information from the text “From Wasteland to Wonder" by Basil Camu. The book's subtitle is: Easy ways we can help heal Earth in the sub/urban landscape.  This book is great for those diving into planting for the environment and those who want to learn how to make a change. It delves into the impacts humans have had on the environment, then leads the reader through steps to upgrade your landscape with plants that give back, how to assess your soil and space, and what to consider when planting. For those who are hard at work and well into native planting, the book has many talking points you may find useful when talking to those who are considering native/ environmental planting and yard care.

The author has generously made the book free to download a pdf version here: https://www.leaflimb.com/wonder/ Currently, it can also be purchased for $10.75 on the same webpage. I encourage anyone to read or at least become familiar with the book to add to the discussion. 

Email [email protected] to RSVP (not required, but helpful).

Native plants are the foundation of habitat, but wildlife need more than food to thrive. Join ecologist and Certified Wildlife Biologist Shaun McCoshum, PhD, to explore how nesting sites, shelter, water, soil conditions, and other often-overlooked resources can transform a yard into a functioning ecosystem that supports biodiversity year-round.

Registration link coming soon.

What does it really take to turn a conventional lawn into a thriving native meadow? Join Owner & Principal, New Directions in the American Landscape (NDAL), Sara Weaner Cooper for a candid look at her family's ongoing lawn-to-meadow transformation featured in The New York Times and BBC. Drawing from three years of hands-on experience, Sara will share the methods, lessons learned, successes, and challenges of converting turfgrass into a dynamic native plant community. Participants will gain practical insights into site preparation, planting, management, and the ecological principles that guide successful meadow establishment, along with realistic expectations for how these landscapes evolve over time.

Registration link coming soon.

Bats are among the most important and misunderstood wildlife in our communities. Join experts from Bat Conservation International to explore how native plants, healthy insect populations, and thoughtful landscape design can help support bats. Learn about the ecological role of bats and discover practical ways to create habitat for North America's night flyers right in your own backyard.

Registration link coming soon.

Monarch butterflies depend on a network of habitats stretching across North America, and home landscapes can play an important role in their survival. Join experts from Monarch Joint Venture to explore the science behind monarch conservation, including the importance of milkweed, nectar resources, and regionally appropriate habitat. Learn practical ways to support monarchs through native landscaping and help sustain one of the world's most remarkable migrations.
 

Registration link coming soon.