Events Archive: 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Upcoming Events
February 2025
Minimizing the Error in Trial & Error
Online/Virtual
Public Welcome Will be Recorded Free Event Chapter Meeting Program/Speaker Presentation
Zoom webinar
Experienced native plant gardener and designer Mike Weis from Dropseed Gardens, will take us through the steps in the first garden he ever installed, starting in 2005. He will present a slideshow of images of this garden through the years to illustrate how some decisions/methods that were used worked well while others did not.
National Panel Discussion: "Bees Beyond Honey: Understanding Native and Managed Pollinators"
Hosted by Wild Ones NationalOnline/Virtual
Public Welcome Will be Recorded Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation
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.
March 2025
Izhi-Minoging Mashkikiwan / Place Where Medicines Grow Well - Cheboiganing Burt Lake Band's Healing Garden
Online/Virtual
Public Welcome Will be Recorded Free Event Chapter Meeting Program/Speaker Presentation
Virtual presentation by Eva Roos, landscape architect, Saiki Design.
Izhi-Minoging Mashkikiwan, Place Where Medicines Grow Well, is the Cheboiganing Burt Lake Band's healing garden located at their office headquarters in Brutus, MI. This garden features over 40 species of Great Lakes native plants arranged to symbolically represent the Ojibwe Medicine Wheel and Anishinaabe beadwork. The Band worked with former University of Michigan graduate student and present day landscape architect, Eva Roos, on the design and installation both the healing garden and the greater headquarters landscape. In this presentation, Eva will share about the design and installation process, symbolism embedded within the garden, ecological benefits of chosen plants, and lessons learned from the garden.
April 2025
Eating the Plants We Love to Hate
Public Welcome Free Event Chapter Meeting Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Drinking Fountains
Presented by Lea Sevigny, Joyful Wildcrafting
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 use them for food. Together, we'll find edible value in many of the species people love to hate. Participants will receive simple recipes to use wildcrafted food with the earliest spring greens and flowers.
May 2025
Invasive Garlic Mustard Pull at Seidman Park
Public Welcome Free Event Hands-On/How-To Workshop Nature Walk/Hike Lots of Physical Activity
Join us to help eradicate invasive garlic mustard plants in Seidman Park.
More info to come!
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.
Annual Native Plant Sale/Fundraiser
Public Welcome Family Friendly Free Event Seed/Plant Sale Public Restroom Free Public Parking Lots of Physical Activity Drinking Fountains
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!
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 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
Public Welcome Free Event Chapter Meeting Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking 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.
September Wild Ones National Webinar
Hosted by Wild Ones NationalOnline/Virtual
Public Welcome Will be Recorded 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 Will be Recorded Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation
Details coming soon!
Michigan's Captivating Caterpillars
Public Welcome Free Event Chapter Meeting Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking
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.
November 2025
Wild Ones River City Annual Meeting/Seed Swap
Public Welcome Free Event Seed/Plant Swap 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 Will be Recorded 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!