Events Archive: 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Upcoming Events
February 2025
Eradicating Invasive Species, The Dream v The Reality
Online/Virtual
Public Welcome Will be Recorded Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation
If you have ever wondered how to accurately identify invasive species and safely remove them to create space for native plants to thrive, join us for this informative presentation.
Addison Kubik, Invasive Species Education, Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator with Capital Region Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) will address how to clear your own property using the most current techniques, whether you have a suburban plot or a dozen acres. Please register to receive a Zoom link. This presentation will be recorded for future sharing
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.
*Date Change: WOWW Meet & Greet
Public Welcome Family Friendly Free Event Chapter Social Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom
Join us for a coffee and chat with fellow gardeners who love pollinators! Share pictures of your garden and gardening goals. And learn tips from the book, Nature's Best Hope , about gardening for habitat.
March 2025
Cozy Cafe Chat
Public Welcome Free Event Chapter Social Public Restroom Free Public Parking
Informal chat for native plant enthusiasts. Grab a beverage or lunch at the market and join the chat. Arthur's Market is a treasured landmark in the historic Stockade Area of Schenectady. Plan to arrive early with about 10 minutes to spare to find parking and walk in. There are a few steps up to enter the building.
Meet & Hike - Old Maids Woods
Public Welcome Family Friendly Free Event Nature Walk/Hike Free Public Parking
Expect to see many old, large trees and practice your tree ID! Take the Campbell Road exit from I-890, Rice Road west past the pump station to Schermerhorn Road, turn left onto Schermerhorn, and cross under I-890. Park outside the chain gate. The preserve is uphill and to the left. Bring appropriate attire for a hike and weather, and expect some hills, although we will not walk far. Host: Dustin Mitchell, 314-616-2667. Always check the Events Calendar for any cancellation.
Capital District Flower and Garden Expo - Chapter Tabling
Hudson Valley Community College McDonough Sports Complex
Public Welcome Family Friendly Paid Event Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Lots of Physical Activity Drinking Fountains
Our chapter will have a display table at the Capital Region Flower & Garden Expo, held at the McDonough Sports Complex at Hudson Valley Community College, Troy. Your help is needed! Please volunteer to help us engage people; if you can do a two or three hour shift during the weekend, that would be great. You don’t have to be a gardening expert, just someone who values native plants. Our table will have a colorful display about native host plants and butterflies, along with membership information. If you want to get involved in developing the display and set up, let us know.
Wild Ones will be offering a several workshops in their listing of over fifty presentations.
This annual Expo event includes large-scale gardens and floral-themed exhibits, and a Marketplace filled with over 190 flower and garden-themed retail exhibits, an indoor farmers market, and NYS wine tastings. Entry fee of $14/day if paid in advance; volunteers may be given a free pass (to be determined).
April 2025
WOCRNY Advocacy Committee Meeting Members Only
Online/Virtual
Members Only Free Event Chapter Meeting
All interested members are welcome to share their ideas on who to ensure native gardening is a culture change, not a fad. Currently, this committee is focused on how to modernize town ordinances to make native gardens easier to start in communities that have strict lawn height requirements. Register to receive a zoom link.
Meet & Hike - Van Dyke Spinney Preserve
Van Dyke Spinney Preserve (Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy), 246 Van Dyke Rd, NY, 12054 Map
Public Welcome Family Friendly Free Event Nature Walk/Hike Free Public Parking
Spring wildflowers beneath beech, oak, hickory, and hemlock. We will follow the one-mile orange loop beginning and ending at the parking area. Bring appropriate attire for a hike and weather. Host: Dustin Mitchell, 314-616-2667. Always check the Events Calendar for any cancellation.
Seed Library: Native Gardening Talk
Public Welcome Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Multilingual
Learn about how native gardening supports pollinators and songbirds, and learn more about the Crandall Seed Library!
May 2025
Meet & Hike - Christman Preserve
Christman Preserve (Nature Conservancy), 3281 Schoharie Turnpike, Delanson, NY, 12053 Map
Public Welcome Family Friendly Free Event Nature Walk/Hike Free Public Parking
We will take the blue trail loop with a side-trip to the falls, a bit over 1mi, looking for spring ephemerals like bloodroot and wild ginger. Bring appropriate attire for a hike and the weather. Host: Dustin Mitchell, 314-616-2667. Always check the Events Calendar for any cancellation.
June 2025
Meet & Hike - Oakwood Cemetery
Public Welcome Family Friendly Free Event Nature Walk/Hike Free Public Parking
We will set out from the Uncle Sam gravesite and follow the man-made lake and creek downstream, observing the John C. Sidney’s landscape design and its evolution over 175 years. Bring appropriate attire for an easy walk and the weather. Host: Dustin Mitchell, 314-616-2667. Always check the Events Calendar for any cancellation.
Meet & Hike - Limestone Rise
Public Welcome Family Friendly Free Event Nature Walk/Hike Free Public Parking
Limestone means alkaline soil, selecting for plants that thrive in that condition, including a healthy selection of ferns. Park along the pull-off. Bring appropriate attire for a hike and the weather. The walk will be shady. Host: Dustin Mitchell, 314-616-2667. Always check the Events Calendar for any cancellation.
July 2025
Meet & Hike - Landis Arboretum
Public Welcome Family Friendly Free Event Nature Walk/Hike Public Restroom Free Public Parking
Starting at the visitor center, we will walk the Native Plant Collection trail, approximately 1mi. Parking and visit are free, although Landis requests a $5 donation per visitor. Bring appropriate attire for a hike and the weather. Parts of the walk will be sunny, there are minor hills, and the trails can be slippery when wet. Host: Dustin Mitchell, 314-616-2667. Always check the Events Calendar for any cancellation.
August 2025
Meet & Hike - Vischer Ferry
Public Welcome Family Friendly Free Event Nature Walk/Hike Free Public Parking
Gathering near the historic Whipple Bridge at River View and Van Vranken Roads, we will walk out to Fort’s Ferry and make a short loop. We will use David H. Behm’s list of observed invasive plants as a checklist to practice identifying invasives. Bring appropriate attire for a hike, the weather, and flying insects. Parts of the walk will be sunny. Host: Dustin Mitchell, 314-616-2667. Always check the Events Calendar for any cancellation.
September 2025
Meet & Hike - Moccasin Kill Sanctuary
Moccasin Kill Sanctuary (Nature Conservancy), 901 Crawford Rd, Schenectady, NY, 12306 Map
Public Welcome Family Friendly Free Event Nature Walk/Hike Free Public Parking
In search of asters and allies, we will explore all of the early-fall blooms we find. We will walk both the blue and red trails, totaling about 1.5mi. Bring appropriate attire for a hike and the weather. Host: Dustin Mitchell, 314-616-2667. Always check the Events Calendar for any cancellation.
Meet & Hike - Skidmore North Woods
Public Welcome Family Friendly Free Event Nature Walk/Hike Free Public Parking
Beginning at the smaller Falstaff’s parking lot near Broadway, we will take the red loop trail, about 1.1mi, seeking late wildflowers, enjoying the fall foliage, and thinking about the soil structure all this falling plant matter supports. Bring appropriate attire for a hike and the weather. Host: Dustin Mitchell, 314-616-2667. Always check the Events Calendar for any cancellation.
September Wild Ones National Webinar
Hosted by Wild Ones NationalOnline/Virtual
Public Welcome Will be Recorded Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation
Details coming soon!
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!
November 2025
Meet & Hike - Henry Gerber Reist Bird Sanctuary
Henry Gerber Reist Bird Sanctuary (Hudson-Mohawk Brid Club), 897 St David\'s Ln, Schenectady, NY, 12309 Map
Public Welcome Family Friendly Free Event Nature Walk/Hike Free Public Parking
Friday 7th, 8:30am. Henry Gerber Reist Bird Sanctuary, 897 St David's Ln, Niskayuna, NY. Park at the Kelly Adirondack Center. From there we will follow the Paul Schaefer Yellow Trail, about 1.3mi, looking out for birds, late-fall flora, and the remnants of dry vernal pools. Bring appropriate attire for a hike and the weather; note that this area can get wet and muddy. Host: Dustin Mitchell, 314-616-2667. Always check the Events Calendar for any cancellation.
November Wild Ones National Webinar
Hosted by Wild Ones NationalOnline/Virtual
Public Welcome Will be Recorded Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation
Details coming soon!