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. 

Alysia Babcock will present examples of plants (and other interesting things) found in nature preserves and how they can help you design your own gardens.

Zoom webinar presented by Shelby Lane-Clark, Applied Biologist

Jumping worms (Amynthas agrestis, Amynthas tokioensis and Metaphire hilgendorfi species) are an invasive species of worm native to southeast Asia. They were first reported in Michigan in Oakland County in 2008. It is now believed they could be widespread in the Lower Peninsula. Jumping worms consume large amounts of leaf litter and displace or out-compete our native species, not just native earthworms, but also native insects, ground nesting birds, and salamanders. Our speaker will describe the lifecycle of jumping worms, as well as what can be done to control and prevent them.

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. 

Zoom webinar

This webinar will cover the basics of what a rain garden is, reasons to build one, and how to get started with planning, designing and building. Participants will also learn about the many Michigan native plants that do well in rain gardens.

Presented by Rachel Leonard, Rain Gardener and Outreach Assistant for the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner's Environmental Program. 

Presented by Brian Scholtens, Ph.D., College of Charleston, South Carolina.

Although extremely important in our ecosystems, moths are underappreciated compared to their day-flying butterfly cousins.  Dr. Scholtens will introduce us to the amazing world of moths, their life cycles, feeding strategies, roles in the environment, and some opportunities to contribute to our knowledge of this fascinating group of insects.

Farmer's Market Days are co-hosted by Wild Ones River City Chapter (WORC) and the Native Plant Guild. They feature sales of a variety native plants and sometimes native seeds offered by Native Plant Guild members. Representatives of Wild Ones River City Chapter will answer questions and provide educational handouts. Native Plant Guild growers donate a portion of their sales to WORC.

The Highlands Golf Club, adjacent to the Blandford Nature Center in Grand Rapids, was purchased in 2017 through a collaborative effort of the Blandford Nature Center and the Land Conservancy of West Michigan. The vision for the 121-acre parcel, now called The Highlands, is to transform it into a natural area for community recreation and education. With grasses already growing, a diverse wildlife population has moved in, including fox, deer, muskrats, and a variety of birds and insects. In the summer of 2022, a project was initiated to bring an underground stream back to the surface. Justin Heslinga will lead us on a tour of The Highlands, describing what has been accomplished to date, as well as future plans for the site.

Come see a native plant garden in an urban setting. The garden features 85 species of native plants. Experts will be on hand to answer questions.

Also, Brewery Vivant (925 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids) across the street will be sponsoring a fundraiser for Wild Ones River City Chapter on June 24 during pub hours 3—10 pm. Brewery Vivant will donate a portion of their proceeds on June 24. Come enjoy a brew before or after you tour the Native Plant Education Garden.

Wild Ones members receive pre-order early access June  24-28.

Public pre-orders June 29-July 12.

Pickup your order anytime between 5-6:45 pm. If orders are not picked up by 7:00 they will be donated.

Order at: https://rivercitygrandrapids.wildones.org/shop/

Garden Walkabouts are informal tours of home gardens and landscapes managed by members. Come and go as you wish.

Address TBA via email to members.

Event is for Wild Ones members only and their guests.

Marty describes her property as “a patch of wilderness hidden deep inside the city of Grand Rapids.” When she and her husband bought the 2.5 acre vacant lot in 1988 it was a ragged lawn and a wooded ravine clogged with invasive species and neighborhood trash. Over the decades they’ve added hundreds of native trees, shrubs, no-mow grass, perennials and ferns. In 2018 they purchased 4.5 acres of adjacent property. Since then, Marty has added an oak savanna, an emergent woodland, a rain garden and bioswale, a shady “hidden garden” and colorful beds of wildflowers. "I love the idea that our land is healthier and more diverse than it has been in 150 years,”  Marty says. “All along the way, I’ve relied on Wild Ones and Kent Conservation District for native plants and great advice. I hope you visit my work-in-progress."

Garden Walkabouts are informal tours of home gardens and landscapes managed by members. Come and go as you wish.

Address TBA via email to Wild Ones River City members.

Event is for Wild Ones members only and their guests.

Farmer's Market Days are co-hosted by Wild Ones River City Chapter (WORC) and the Native Plant Guild. They feature sales of a variety native plants and sometimes native seeds offered by Native Plant Guild members. Representatives of Wild Ones River City Chapter will answer questions and provide educational handouts. Native Plant Guild growers donate a portion of their sales to WORC.

Flat Iron Lake Nature Preserve is in Kent County's Oakfield Township, approximately 30 miles northeast of Grand Rapids. The preserve was the idea of Fritz and Carol Rottman, who owned much of the property and wished to see the space preserved for green space and scientific study. The property includes a 25 acre kettle lake, 13 acres of forest, and an 18 acre created prairie. River City Wild Ones originally visited the property in 2011. This nature hike will showcase changes over the past several years.

Our field trip will be led by Matthew Dykstra, who is the Managing Director of the Calvin Ecosystem Preserve and Native Gardens. He will be joined by Carol Rottman, who with her husband, Fritz, originally installed the prairie on the property and donated the land to Calvin College.

The property is located at 11300 Hart St. NE in Greenville, about 1⁄2 mile east of Wabasis Ave. NE. Follow the long drive through the prairie to the two car garage where we will meet Matthew. Parking is available in front of the garage and in the grass nearby, but will be limited. Carpooling is strongly encouraged.

Garden Walkabouts are informal tours of home gardens and landscapes managed by members. Come and go as you wish.

Address TBA via email to members.

Event is for Wild Ones members only and their guests.

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. 

Presented by William Kirst, Founder, Ann Arbor Adapt Community Supported Ecology.

The default Western thinking about ecosystems is to see humans as outside, objective observers, except in cases where we are actively degrading or interacting with areas we have designated as ‘nature'. However, not only are humans a part of our ecosystem, our interactions with other humans are arguably some of the most important transactions in the ecological web of our neighborhoods. What does this mean for us? How can we use this perspective to foster positive change?  And what does it mean to be a good neighbor to all?

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. 

Farmer's Market Days are co-hosted by Wild Ones River City Chapter (WORC) and the Native Plant Guild. They feature sales of a variety native plants and sometimes native seeds offered by Native Plant Guild members. Representatives of Wild Ones River City Chapter will answer questions and provide educational handouts. Native Plant Guild growers donate a portion of their sales to WORC.

Presented by John Harville, Berrien, Cass, and VanBuren County Coordinator for The Michigan Bluebird Society. 

John Harville was an active Master Gardener for over 20 years and was a member of the Kent County Lawn and Garden Hotline team for 15 years. He is on the board of the Michigan Bluebird Society and is the Membership Director. Mr. Harville will share his expertise and strategies to attract bluebirds and other wildlife to your yard.

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! 

Join us for a fun evening to connect with your fellow Wild Ones and to meet newcomers! We will be celebrating our accomplishments in 2024, our 17th year as a chapter. The River City 2025 officers and board members will be introduced. Member Barbara Zvirzdinis will demonstrate Winter Sowing of native seeds in milk jugs. Wild Ones will be selling native plant books, garden signs and related merchandise before and after the presentation. Cider and donuts will be served.

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.

Click the READ MORE button below for seed instructions.

Native plants have an incredible ability to adapt to climate extremes, offering sustainable solutions for resilient landscapes. Join Wild Ones and the Native Plant Society of Texas to explore the power of native plants to thrive in challenging conditions.

This event features Christy Ten Eyck, founder of Ten Eyck Landscape Architects. Drawing from her latest Dallas-Fort Worth native garden design, Christy will share insights into designing low-maintenance, ecologically rich spaces that withstand intense climate fluctuations.

Neonicotinoid insecticides, commonly known as “neonics,” have become the most widely used insecticides in the U.S., leading to drastic declines in bees, pollinators, birds, and aquatic ecosystems. In this webinar, Lucas Rhoads, Senior Attorney with NRDC’s Pesticides & Pollinators Team, will share expert insights on how neonics impact our environment and pose serious risks to human health. He’ll delve into the harms associated with neonic-treated seeds, which are a major source of contamination, and explore effective policy advocacy strategies to rein in their widespread use without disrupting farmers or landscapers.