Chapter Events

Events Archive: 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Upcoming Events

June 2023

Jun
19

Michigan Wildflower Farm Tour

Monday, June 19th, 2023
to (Eastern Time)
Michigan Wildflower Farm, 11770 Cutler Rd, Portland, MI, 48875 Map

Public Welcome Free Event Chapter Meeting Group Tour Lots of Physical Activity

Learn all about the operation of a wildflower seed farm while walking the seed production fields. We'll frequently stop to discuss farm operations and  how our seeds are used in landscapes.

Please bring a folding bag chair to use before the tour starts.

Dress for the weather and for walking. Bring camera and notepad/pen if desired.

Carpooling recommended.

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July 2023

Jul
19

Annual Native Plant Sale/Fundraiser

Wednesday, July 19th, 2023
to (Eastern Time)
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 Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking

Annual Native Plant Sale (Pickup and Browse & Buy) on July 19.

Order online on our website July 1-14. Wild Ones members receive early access. June 26-30. 

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August 2023

Aug
21

Supporting Native Bees in Your Backyard!

Monday, August 21st, 2023
to (Eastern Time)
Roselle Park (multi-purpose building), 1010 Grand River Dr NE, Ada, MI, 49301 Map

Public Welcome Free Event Chapter Meeting Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Drinking Fountains

Presented by Jenna Walters, PhD Candidate, Michigan State University

Michigan is home to over 467 species of wild bees, making our state an incredible oasis of diversity and wildlife. However, many of these bees need our help in order to persist and thrive for years to come. Join us as we take a look at some of the native bees you might find in your own backyard and explore the ways you can help save the bees!

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September 2023

Sep
18

Native Prairie Restoration at Kent County Parks

Monday, September 18th, 2023
to (Eastern Time)
Millennium Park, 1415 Maynard Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49534 Map

Public Welcome Free Event Chapter Meeting Program/Speaker Presentation Nature Walk/Hike Public Restroom Free Public Parking Lots of Physical Activity

Presented by Ginny Sines, Volunteer Services Coordinator, Kent County Parks

This program will include a short history of native prairie habitats, why they are an important part of a ecosystem and how Kent County Parks Department is supporting Native Prairie areas at multiple County park sites. The program will also include a prairie species ID walk and native prairie seed harvesting workshop. Attendees will learn to ID some of the common native prairie grasses and forbs and will have the opportunity to participate in a seed harvesting activity. We will be collecting seeds to bring home and will hear a short presentation at one of the pavillions about how to overwinter seeds.

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October 2023

Oct
16

Medicinal Botany: Exploring traditional ecological knowledge and western laboratory science

Monday, October 16th, 2023
to (Eastern Time)
Bunker Interpretive Center, Calvin University, 1750 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49525 Map

Public Welcome Free Event Chapter Meeting Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Drinking Fountains

Presented by Madison (Maisie) Wiler

Four out of five FDA-approved medicines are derived from plant compounds. Even so, scientists believe that nature's pharmaceutical value is largely unexplored—but many scientists seeking to develop new medicines fail to consult with indigenous nations, whose traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) encompasses medicines unknown or unused in western pharmacology. This presentation will explore traditional medicines, their uses, and will provide an evidentiary basis for their efficacy with comparisons to western laboratory science. Additionally, we will discuss the issue of exploitation of Indigenous nations by pharmaceutical companies.

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November 2023

Nov
13

Annual Meeting/Seed Swap

Monday, November 13th, 2023
to (Eastern Time)
Bunker Interpretive Center at Calvin University, 1750 E Beltline Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546 Map

Public Welcome Free Event Chapter Social Seed/Plant Swap Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Drinking Fountains

Join us for fun evening to connect with your fellow Wild Ones and to meet newcomers! 

We will be celebrating the end of our 16th year as a chapter and our accomplishments this year. The River City 2024 officers and board members will be introduced. Refreshments will be served.

Attendees are encouraged to bring native seeds from their garden to share.

Bring native seeds to share if you have them. Please follow these instructions for the seeds:

Separate dry seeds from plant material
Enclose in an envelope no larger than letter size (one species per envelope)
Write on the envelope:
o   Common name
o   Latin name
o   Sun/Shade
o   Soil type Wet/Dry
o   Your name

If you are new to native plants and don’t have seeds to share, no worries, you can still take home some seeds.