Chapter Events

All are welcome to join this free virtual panel discussion exploring the vital roles of native, solitary, and honeybees in pollination and biodiversity. Featuring experts Sam Droege (USGS), Dave Hunter (Crown Bees), and Dr. Lora Morandin (Pollinator Partnership), this event will discuss into the challenges pollinators face, the balance between managed and wild bees, and actionable ways to support all pollinators.

Gain insights from over 90 years of combined experience and learn how to advocate for pollinator habitats through planting native species, participating in community science, and adopting responsible management practices.

Public gardens hold tremendous power to influence landscaping norms and inspire change. By showcasing the beauty, functionality, and ecological value of native plants, these spaces help foster biodiversity, advocate for sustainable practices, and engage communities in environmental stewardship. 

This webinar will explore how public and demonstration gardens serve as powerful tools for native plant advocacy. Attendees will learn how gardens move beyond aesthetics to spark action—turning appreciation into engagement and inspiring participants to replicate these practices in their own communities.

We will hear insights from Nicole Machuca, Environmental Social Scientist at the Field Museum, on how public gardens influence behaviors, foster stewardship, and connect people to conservation efforts through research and community engagement. The Wild Ones Capital Region NY and the Wild Ones San Diego (CA) Chapters will share their experiences building native plant demonstration gardens and how these spaces drive community engagement, education, and advocacy. And We'll finish with a conversation exploring how public gardens create a lasting impact beyond planting day moderated by Kelly Kapuzzi, Demonstration Garden Char with the Wild Ones Hocking Hills (OH) Chapter.

We invite you to attend this educational opportunity that will inspire the way you look at native plants. The workshop will be held at one of our favorite venues, the Bergamo Center in Beavercreek, Ohio. Registration link below. $95 includes lunch. We offer informative presentations, hands-on learning opportunities and field trips for home gardeners, native plant activists, landscape designers, and anyone interested in learning about the remarkable world of native plants and their interactions with our local wildlife. Our keynote speakers are Donald Pell and Jim McCormac. Breakout sessions by Kara Maynard, Tom Borgman, Jennifer Smith, Carol Mundy, Brian Jorg and Judy Semroc! Outdoor field trips weather permitting led by Kelly Cappuzi and friends!

Rooms are available to rent at the Bergamo Center on Friday night. $72 single, $95 double. Email [email protected] for more information. Go here for detailed information about Speakers and Programs.

Join us for a nature hike to explore the wildflowers of the the Bender Mountain Nature Preserve.  If we are lucky, we will see lot of the beautiful Blue-eyed Mary blooming, along with other native hard to find Spring Ephemerals including various trilliums, bluebells,  waterleaf, and more!  Our leaders are skilled naturalists Tom Borgman, Scott Peak, and Joyce Richter. 

To RSVP email [email protected]. Meet at the Bender Road pull off lot. You may leave at any time, but the trip usually takes an hour or so with additional time to stop and explore the wildflowers. We hope to see you there! https://www.westernwildlifecorridor.org/index.php/bender-mountain/

Join us for a joyful celebration of the season at the Milwaukee Public Market's very first Festival of Flowers, taking place Saturday, May 3 from 11am to 3pm at Riverwalk Commons, right across from the Milwaukee Public Market.

Wild Ones National Board Secretary Jermey Rappaport will present on how people can help support a healthy planet by transitioning away from traditional lawns and gardens to more sustainable alternatives featuring native plants. 

This free, family-friendly event is bursting with color, fragrance, and fun! Explore a vibrant flower market featuring locally grown blooms and botanicals perfect for brightening your home or garden. Enjoy live music from local artists as you wander, shop, and relax along the riverfront.

Bring the whole family- there’s something for everyone! From interactive activities for kids to garden-inspired crafts, the Festival of Flowers is designed to delight visitors of all ages. Grown-ups can savor seasonal beverages, while everyone can dig into a variety of tasty eats from local food vendors.

Whether you're a plant enthusiast, music lover, or just looking for a fresh way to spend your Saturday, the Festival of Flowers is the perfect spring outing.

This is a joint program with the Midwest Native Plant Society, Inc. We have two excellent speakers planned, an opportunity to network with other native plant enthusiasts. Register here: https://midwestnativeplantsociety.regfox.com/natural-gardening-for-landscapes 
Demystifying the Matrix Planting Style, Jennifer Smith

Famous designers such as Piet Oudolf, Dan Pearson, and Adam Woodruff are known for their lush gardens that hold their beauty year-round. They have also brought the Matrix planting style to the front pages of garden magazines and books. But what is Matrix planting, and what can we learn from these designers and their way to plan a garden? Join us as we discuss employing the Matrix planting style when planting for pollinators. This talk is for all levels.

Jennifer Smith is an award-winning pollinator garden designer and educator at Wimberg Landscaping. She has been planting with nature for more than 20 years, she designed and maintains the Wimberg Landscaping pollinator garden at Ault Park, the new pollinator garden at the Wasson Way bike trail, as well as the gardens surrounding Wimberg’s office. She was a volunteer gardener with Ault Park for nearly 10 years, and was the coordinator of the Adopt-a-Plot program at Ault Park for several years. She is a garden writer, photographer, and speaker and former garden blogger for Horticulture Magazine.

Planting Native in a World of HOAs & Weed Ordinances, Sam Settlemeyre

Gardening with native plants is an incredibly rewarding experience, however the experience can quickly sour if you receive a citation for your natural garden. Weed ordinances, HOA rules, and societal norms encourage mowed manicured lawns restricted by height and general appearance. Requiring uniformity makes it easy to enforce these rules, but completely ignores the needs of other organisms that are trying to survive in our suburban landscapes. In this class we will take a closer look at local weed ordinances and HOA rules that make planting native difficult. We will explore how one can plant native without getting cited and what you should do in the case that you do receive a citation for your natural garden. Finally, we will look at some local efforts to change these laws and learn about how you can get involved.

Sam is the Conservation Program Manager at the Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati where he works to support healthy green spaces and restore urban habitats. Through his work he provides education and resources to homeowners, partner organizations and volunteers working in public spaces. Outside of work, Sam serves as a board member for Northside Greenspace. Like many native plant geeks, his love for the outdoors led him to develop a passion for this work and drives him to introduce others to the wonders of the natural world.

After the talk, you are welcome to stroll the grounds to see some inspiring landscaping, the new native plant greenhouse, and more. Feel free to bring your lunch to eat on the grounds after the program.

Shop the sale featuring many native plant sellars, growers, exhibitors and artists. 

Opportunity to assist the chapter to staff a welcome table along with Dayton Wild Ones. You may handout Wild Ones materials, and information about your specific chapter. Volunteers working 2-3 hour shifts have the opportunity to attend breakout sessions. Contact your chapter or email [email protected]. 

As long time monarch enthusiasts, Mark and Nan recently visited two Monarch Butterfly overwintering sites, Sierra Chincua and El Rosario, in the Oyamel Fir forests located in Central Mexico. They will speak about their experience, using photos from their trip, and will give us an update of the monarch’s status as well as some interesting thoughts on the future (and past) of the monarch butterfly and what actions we as gardeners can take to help them thrive.

Mark and Nan Plunkett are trained Master Gardener Volunteers and members of the horticulture volunteer team at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Both have completed master’s degrees in Biology with a focus on local conservation from Miami University. As enthusiastic home gardeners, they enjoy not only the plants in the gardens they have created but love how these stationary, rooted plants actually move through the wings of the insects and birds they attract.

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon!