Chapter Events

Presented by Lea Sevigny, Joyful Wildcrafting

Indoor event

Among native plant enthusiasts, there is a range of how much tolerance we have for introduced species. Regardless of your feelings about Dame's Rocket, Cleavers, or Dandelion, you'll learn how to identify and harvest pervasive plants for food. Together we'll find edible value in many species often disregarded or despised. Participants will taste simple recipes using wildcrafted food with the earliest spring greens and flowers.

Annual native plant sale.

Join us to help eradicate invasive garlic mustard plants in Seidman Park.

More info to come!

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.

Our major fundraiser of the year!

June 18 is the Plant Pickup day and Browse & Buy

Public pre-order plants, signs, books, etc. on our website June 1–13. Wild Ones Members get early access to pre-order May 27–31.

More information to come!

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.

Naturalist and photographer, Craig Elston will lead a hike through Hudsonville Prairie. 

More info to come!

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.

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.

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.  

Details coming soon! 

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.

Details coming soon! 

Presented by Dr. Duke Elsner, Entomologist

Michigan is home to over 160 species of butterflies and over 1000 species of moths. The plants in our gardens and landscapes help in providing the nourishment caterpillars need to achieve completion of their life cycle. Join Dr. Elsner to discover some of the most interesting caterpillars that may be munching on your trees and shrubs.

Dr. Elsner grew up in southwest Michigan. He holds a B.S. and a M.S. degree in Entomology from Michigan State University. His PhD is from Penn State, also in Entomology. He worked for many years as an Agriculture Extension Agent for MSU in Grand Traverse County, specializing in small fruit production.

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.

Details coming soon!