Events Archive: 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Upcoming Events
May 2025
Kent Conservation District Native Plant Sale
Kent Conservation District Office, 3200 Eagle Park Dr NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49525 Map
Public Welcome Seed/Plant Sale Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Drinking Fountains
Annual native plant sale.
Invasive Garlic Mustard Pull at Seidman Park
Public Welcome Free Event Invasive Species Removal Lots of Physical Activity
Join us to help eradicate invasive garlic mustard plants in Seidman Park!
Park at the Conservation St entrance. Bring gloves and dress for the weather. Trash bags will be provided.
June 2025
Friendship Park - A nature-focused community space
Cascade Twp. Branch Kent District Library, Friendship Park, 2870 Jacksmith Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546 Map
Public Welcome Free Event Chapter Meeting Group Tour Free Public Parking Lots of Physical Activity
Presented by Wes Landon, Native Edge LLC
This program will review the design and planning process for Friendship Park, and how the native gardens and landscapes play a central role in the character, impact, and vision of the park.
2025 Annual Online Native Plant Sale and Fundraiser
Fulton Street Farmers Market, 1145 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503 Map
Live Stream Available
Public Welcome Family-Friendly Free Event Seed/Plant Sale Public Restroom Free Public Parking Lots of Physical Activity Drinking Fountains
Our Annual Online Native Plant Sale and Fundraiser will be held one month earlier this year!
Wild Ones Members receive exclusive members-only online access May 27–31. Members will be notified via email when the shop is open.
Public Online ordering is July 1–13. Link to order TBA.
Pay by Paypal/Credit Card when you order online.
PICKUP DAY and BROWSE & BUY
Wednesday, June 18 anytime between 4:45–6:45 pm
Fulton Street Farmers Market
1145 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Easy access at the Fountain Street entrance.
Cash/Checks/Credit Cards are accepted at the Browse & Buy on June 18.
July 2025
Farmers Market Days Native Plant Sale
Public Welcome Family-Friendly Free Event Seed/Plant Sale Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Lots of Physical Activity Drinking Fountains
A collaboration between Wild Ones River City and The Native Plant Guild.
Native Plants sold by local growers from the Native Plant Guild. Wild Ones River City Chapter representatives will be there to answer your native plant questions and provide educational handouts.
The growers donate a portion of their profits to River City Wild Ones.
Hudsonville Nature Center Prairie Tour
Public Welcome Family-Friendly Free Event Chapter Meeting Nature Walk/Hike Lots of Physical Activity
Naturalist and photographer, Craig Elston will lead a hike through Hudsonville Prairie.
More info to come!
August 2025
Farmers Market Days Native Plant Sale
Public Welcome Family-Friendly Free Event Seed/Plant Sale Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Drinking Fountains
A collaboration between Wild Ones River City and The Native Plant Guild.
Native Plants sold by local growers from the Native Plant Guild. Wild Ones River City Chapter representatives will be there to answer your native plant questions and provide educational handouts.
The growers donate a portion of their profits to River City Wild Ones.
Marywood Prairie Habitat Tour
Public Welcome Free Event Chapter Meeting Program/Speaker Presentation Public Garden Tour Free Public Parking Lots of Physical Activity
Presented by Sister Lucille Janowiak, OP
A Prairie Habitat of about an acre in size can be seen on the edge of the Dominican Sisters - Grand Rapids grounds at E. Fulton Street in Grand Rapids. What is this natural area all about? When was the Prairie Habitat initiated and why? How was this commune of flora and fauna established and by whom? Sister Lucille will focus on addressing these questions.
Sr Lucille Janowiak, has been a member of the Dominican Sisters - Grand Rapids for decades and has managed the Prairie Habitat for a number of years. Prior to her work on the Prairie, Sr Lucille was an Educator and Pastoral Minister.
September 2025
The Great Lakes Rare Butterfly Program at the John Ball Zoo
Grand Rapids Public Library - Downtown Branch, 111 Library St NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503 Map
Public Welcome Free Event Chapter Meeting Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Drinking Fountains
Presented by Bill Flanagan, John Ball Zoo Conservation Manager.
The John Ball Zoo (JBZ) has been partnering with Michigan State University's Haddad Lab to save the Poweshiek Skipperling from extinction. In 2023 the program expanded to include working with Mitchell's Satyr' butterflies.
JBZ has rapidly expanded its committment to the conservation of animals in the field. Four programs focused on Great Lakes Rare Turtles, Great Lakes Rare Butterflies, Grand River Ecosystems, and Habitat Hero make up the core of the JBZ's conservation work.
FREE 2-hour parking is available in the library lot with ticket validation inside the library.
September Wild Ones National Webinar
Hosted by Wild Ones NationalOnline/Virtual
Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation
Details coming soon!
Farmers Market Days Native Plant Sale
Public Welcome Family-Friendly Free Event Seed/Plant Sale Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Lots of Physical Activity Drinking Fountains
A collaboration between Wild Ones River City and The Native Plant Guild.
Native Plants sold by local growers from the Native Plant Guild. Wild Ones River City Chapter representatives will be there to answer your native plant questions and provide educational handouts.
The growers donate a portion of their profits to River City Wild Ones.
October 2025
October Wild Ones National Webinar
Hosted by Wild Ones NationalOnline/Virtual
Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation
Details coming soon!
Presentation TBA
Grand Rapids Public Library - Downtown Branch, 111 Library St NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503 Map
Public Welcome Free Event Chapter Meeting Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom
The presentation “Michigan's Captivating Caterpillars” by Dr. Duke Elsner has been CANCELLED.
A NEW PRESENTATION WILL BE ANNOUNCED.
2-hour parking is FREE in the library lot with ticket validation in the library.
November 2025
Wild Ones River City Annual Meeting/Seed Swap
Public Welcome Free Event Chapter Annual Meeting Seed/Plant Share Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking
Join us for a fun evening to connect with your fellow Wild Ones and to meet newcomers!
We will be celebrating our accomplishments in 2025, our 18th year as a chapter. The River City 2026 officers and board members will be introduced.
Attendees are encouraged to bring native seeds from their garden to share if you have them. If you are new to native plants and don't have seeds to share, no worries, you can still take home some seeds.
Seed packaging instructions to come.
November Wild Ones National Webinar
Hosted by Wild Ones NationalOnline/Virtual
Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation
Details coming soon!
Visit our 2022 Programs listing listing of all programs for the current year.
All programs will begin at 6:30 pm on the third Monday of each month (unless otherwise specified). No programs are scheduled in December and January. Check our monthly calendar on this page for event locations and more information.
Non-members are always welcome, but we encourage your membership to help bring the programs we all enjoy!