Chapter 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. 

Join us to learn about Gardening for Wildlife! Our speakers will recommend what you can do in your home landscape to attract Moths, Fireflies, and Birds and how to create a backyard woodland-the habitat that is beneficial for much of our wildlife species in this area.  

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. 

Join us for a brief chapter meeting, followed by an overview of some of our regional Spring ephemeral wildflowers led by Cincinnati Civic Garden's Sam Settlemyer. Rsvp: [email protected]. Bring a friend! 

As Spring approaches and nature brings new life to our landscapes, most of us will be ready for a hike or two. We are offering members a wildflower hike to Bender Mountain, which is highly regarded as one of the best places in SW Ohio to view spectacular native Spring ephemerals, especially Blue-eyed Mary. This property is owned and managed by Western Wildlife Corridor, and their invasive species removal efforts reward us with the return of our native flora and fauna on this beautiful hillside along the Ohio River.  We could see Cut-Leaved Toothwort, Sessile and Drooping Trillium, Wild Ginger, Woodland Poppy, acres of Blue-Eyed Mary, Greek Valerian, Dutchman’s Breeches, Wild Hyacinth, Miami Mist, Fernleaf Phacelia, and many more. In addition to wildflowers, native trees and shrubs will be leafing out among an abundance of wildlife. You will likely see a migrating warbler or two! Cost: Free. Leader: Joyce Richter of Western Wildlife Corridor. RSVP is required due to limited space. RSVP to: [email protected]

Celebrate Earth Day with fellow Wild Ones members and school volunteers from South Lebanon Elementary School.

A 2023 Wild Ones grant recipient native pollinator garden at South Lebanon Elementary School is in need of update help. Deer have been getting into the plants and families from the school have donated materials for a simple fence to be installed. The garden also needs weeding done, some edge tilling, along with seeding and addition of some seedlings.

Please bring garden gloves and a trowel if possible. Bring water and a snack if you would like. We plan to start at 10 am and spend approximately 2 hours working.

RSVP by emailing [email protected]

Family and friends are welcome, however, the event is being listed as Members only 

Photographs will be taken during the event and sent to Wild Ones for the grant purposes and shared on social media through the school, school district, and local and national Wild Ones.

We will tour Keystone Flora Nursery, owned by Steve Slack. "We grow and sell native plants indigenous to our part of the Midwest near Cincinnati Ohio. Our plants are nursery-grown from seeds and cuttings without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Native plants provide many colors, and interesting forms and are functional for our local ecosystem. True pollinator plants can be found here. No cultivars."Plants will be available for purchase.

After the tour, we will gather for a potluck picnic. Feel free to bring a dish to share, or your own lunch and bring a friend too!  Bring your own drink and a chair. RSVP to [email protected] soon as space is limited. See you there! 

Tour the 1/2 acre home garden of members Carol and Jim Mundy. Their home-grown landscape includes mini prairie, wooded, wetland complete with a bog area of native pitcher plants. The property has over 180 native species cultivated by former Great Parks employees.

Plants may be offered for sale during the event.

Limited to members (plus 1), no more than 25 attendees.

RSVP needed - use the attached Google Form to RSVP. RSVP's will be sent the tour address approximately 48 hours prior to the tour from [email protected]. 

If RSVP totals are over 25 attendees, the attendees will be based on a first-come-first-serve basis determined by date and time the Google Form is completed. if you can't attend on this date, but want to visit at a later time to purchase native plants, email askcrow@yahoo.com.

Join us to explore what was once a one-acre lot with lawn and a house about 30 years ago- now a mix of sun, shade, dry, and wet gardens. Tom and Penny tend over 50 species of native trees, shrubs, and vines as well as some formal, informal, and wild landscapes. Their habitat goals are to provide for birds, butterflies, and especially hummingbirds and fireflies. Some of their favorite garden habitat components include bur oak, buttonbush, trumpet honeysuckle, prickly pear, prairie dock and prairie. Address provided with RSVP from Eventbrite. 

Limited space: 20 Homegrown Habitat: Suburb

Accessibility: Half is flat lawn that is easily accessible. The rest is on a gentle slope.

Parking: Up to 6 vehicles in the driveway and street parking available on 

Chapter-assisted Carpooling is available: If interested in carpooling, let us know with your RSVP. Please provide the following info- Offering ride / Need a ride, along with county/state. We'll do our best to connect members via email.

CZBG Bowyer Farm was willed to the zoo in 1995. At the time, the 529-acre farm was given with the guideline that it could never be developed unless it is to further the mission of the Zoo.

The farm is now 600+ acres, and includes: wetland restoration, native plant sales & propagation, beekeeping, animal feed harvesting, cheetah run area, sun and sheep farming.

The farm grows many species of native plants and hosts annual plant sales, along with offering "The Zoos Best Plans for Pollinators line that can be purchased from various nurseries. You can also find more information about the "Plant for Pollinators Challenge" and register your garden through the read more link included in this event post. 

The wetland at Bowyer Farm is a place to find hundreds of native plants and learn about the importance of wetland ecosystems, along with bird watching.

The presentation/ program with Brian Jorg will be during the tour, not a formal presentation.

Need yet another reason to attend? Plants will be available for purchase during the event! Register ASAP to get your spot.

The event is open to the public, however, registration is required and is limited to 40 participants. Registration Deadline is July 27, 2024 at 11:00 PM.

Attendees need to bring water and be prepared for physical activity. Please check the weather and be prepared as needed (sunscreen, hat, rain gear, etc.) as this is an outdoor activity. Time is listed as 3 hours, however, the tour will likely not be more than 2 hours.

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. 

Volunteer opportunity! The Civic Garden Center’s 2nd annual Fall Native Plant Pollinator Festival is your one-stop shop to buy, learn about, and celebrate native plants. The event brings together local native plants growers from throughout the region. With all of these growers in one place, you won’t find a better selection of native plants anywhere else in Greater Cincinnati. The event includes educational talks and workshops from local experts on native plant-related topics. This event isn’t just about buying plants, it’s also about fostering Cincinnati’s growing community of native plant enthusiasts. Once you buy some plants, we hope you will stick around for some food, music, beer or family-friendly activities that will be taking place throughout the park. Contact GCWO to volunteer @513-221-0981. 

We will have a naturalist-led tour by a preserve employee followed by lunch indoors at the visitor center. We recommend wearing sturdy shoes and bringing a refillable water bottle. If you want to join us after the hike, bring your lunch and join us in the beautiful visitor center. 

Fernald Preserve has a unique history and was once a uranium processing plant. It closed in 1989 when a comprehensive environmental cleanup began, including the planting of many native trees and grasses to restore the ecology.  Today, it encompasses 1,050 acres of upland forest, grassland, and wetlands. The diversity of wildlife inhabiting the preserve attests to the success of the reclamation activities. 

Although Fernald Preserve is an “undeveloped” park, visitors can enjoy seven miles of trails. These trails range from short, gravel paths near the visitor center to longer, more rugged trails that travel through the various habitats found in Fernald. A viewing blind and overlooks provide opportunities to observe native flora and fauna. Over 240 species of birds have been recorded at Fernald Preserve, along with butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. 

Fernald Preserve includes a visitor center with exhibits designed by faculty and students at the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art & Planning (DAAP). The outstanding exhibits illustrate the history of the Fernald site including the Native Americans who first lived there, its role in the Cold War, and its environmental cleanup. The visitor center was the first building in Ohio to achieve platinum LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.  

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. 

Greenfield staff will be taking us on a tour of the plant farm and highlighting native plants available. Members of any Wild Ones Chapter will get preference on the tour, however, non-members are welcome to RSVP and will be given a spot if we do not fill up with members prior to the event. Attendees will be limited to 30 (members may choose a plus one or two for the event, please note on your RSVP).

The read more link will take you to Greenfield's list of native plants. Plants will be available for purchase.

Please note, Greenfield carries many non-natives and cultivars, however, there are several species of native plants available. While we are on the tour we will have a chance to ask questions and discuss native plants with the staff and other attendees.

Participants will also be able to make a donation toward plants or purchase plants for the South Lebanon Elementary Pollinator garden, a Seeds for Education grant garden. The SLE garden project has used many Greenfield plants.

If RSVP requests surpass 30 from members, then the event RSVP form will be closed and it will be noted here. Non-members, please look for a confirmation email from [email protected] 5-7 days in advance of the event to advise you whether your spot for the event has been secured. Thank you!

Photographs will be taken and used for social media both for the local and national chapters. Attendees acknowledge that such photographs may be used in future social media or advertising for Wild Ones.

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! 

Sunday, October 29, 9 am-noon: Give Back Day, 15th Annual Honeysuckle Blitz at Caesar Creek U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gorge Spillway Tail Water Area, Warren County, Ohio

Join the Cincinnati Wild Flower Preservation Society, Cincinnati Wild Ones, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and supporters as we sponsor this volunteer effort in its 15th year to help remove that invasive alien, bush honeysuckle, from the Caesar Creek Lake Spillway Tail Water area.

Come help your friends and kindred spirits continue the protection of this natural treasure. One of the area’s prime features is a gorge formed by glacial meltwaters cutting down through the bedrock. Steep walls formed, rising 180 feet above the river, with more than two miles of Caesar Creek flowing through the gorge. We will be working in the diverse habitat of this natural area, which features heavily wooded hillsides above the gorge of beech, maple, hickory, oak and a luxuriant herbaceous-flora-covered floodplain. The Cincinnati Wild Ones have been working in this area for the past 14 years with a very positive impact to wildflower diversity.

This is a terrific social, educational and work activity, with a great lunch provided.

Your RSVP is greatly appreciated. Please contact Christine Hadley at email [email protected] or at 513-850-9585, for more information. Chainsaw & steel blade trimmer operators must be pre-registered.

Bring your favorite tools: gloves, loppers, saws, trimmers, and protective gear for power equipment. We will provide tools & safety equipment to volunteers new to honeysuckle removal. Stump treatment will be furnished.

Directions: Meet at the Gorge parking lot off Clarksville Road.

Take I-71 to Wilmington Road (exit 36).
Head east on Wilmington Road. Take the first left onto Olive Branch Road (crossing over I-71).
Take the first right onto Jeffrey Road.
At the first stop sign, take Oregonia Road; jog right and then jog left onto Clarksville Road.
Follow across the dam, turn left at the gorge sign, and drive to the parking lot.
We’ll meet near the gorge shelter. Look for signs directing you to the event.

Google maps knows our parking area as “Caesar Creek Fishing Pier, Caesar Creek Gorge Access Road, Waynesville, OH 45068”

Do NOT go to the state nature preserve area on Corwin Road, which is where we often have spring events.