Events Calendar

Join us for a new format to our Membership Meetings, we hope this will allow all our members to learn a bit more about not only our chapter but what our members have to offer. If you would like to add something to the agenda please contact us. All members will receive the zoom link as the meeting gets closer. If you are not a member but would like to attend as a guest please contact us we are happy to share what our chapter is up to with you.

Pollinator- Friendly Solar presented by Jennifer Michelle of GreenTown Consulting. Pollinator-friendly solar takes sustainable energy to the next level. Find out how to advocate for pollinators in your town's solar law - and learn what pitfalls your town needs to watch out for! 
JENNIFER MICHELLE, MPH
I provide technical assistance to municipalities, solar developers, and health systems on creating pollinator-friendly communities. My services include cost-benefit analyses, goal-setting, stakeholder surveys, policy review, sourcing, project management, and community education. 

I serve on my town’s Zoning Board of Appeals and am treasurer of the Healthy Corinth Coalition. I have an MPH in Epidemiology and Parasitology from Tulane School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine and have worked as a healthcare marketing consultant since 2017.
Make sure to sign up for her blog: https://greentownconsulting.com/blog/

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. 

Here is your opportunity to observe our native fauna and flora in action. Don your weather appropriate gear and get out to meet your fellow members. Please note these trails are not paved and most will not have facilities at trailheads, come prepared. These are also unguided hikes so bring your camera and smartphone apps to help identify wildlife. Please consider carpooling.

We will be meeting in the Nature Center and then deciding if we should hike, snowshoe(there is a fee), or just hang out and enjoy the center. Please keep an eye on this website and our social media for any cancellations. While we will go out in the snow, if there is an active storm that makes driving difficult we will cancel.  

We welcome our members, and their guests, or anyone who likes to discuss and share their stories of native plants and ecological landscaping. Jennifer Michelle of GreenTown Consulting will lead our group in delightful conversations about current and relevant topics. Please use the registration link to sign up for the Zoom link and submit any topics/questions that you might have. Then share this event with others so we always have a lively group!

Join our leadership team to discuss the direction of the chapter. These monthly meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm is a great time to present events and opportunities for the chapter. Ideas such as networking, collaborations, lobbying, advocacy, community science/conservation/restoration projects, fundraising, demonstration gardens, invasive species removals, and any other idea you can think of. Contact us if you would like to receive the zoom link. 

Presented by Steve Young, botanist. For native plant gardeners, it is most beneficial to plant the right plant in the right place. There are four ecoregions in the Capital District, each with its own set of conditions that support a distinct set of ecological communities that support a distinct mixture of native plants that require specific conditions to grow. We will look at what constitutes an ecoregion and an ecological community and the plants they contain so you can select the best plants for your situation.
Links to resources:
Ecoregions of New York http://ecologicalregions.info/data/ny/NY_front.pdf
Ecological Communities of New York State https://www.nynhp.org/documents/39/ecocomm2014.pdf
Natural Heritage Conservation Guides https://guides.nynhp.org/communities
Environmental Resource Mapper https://gisservices.dec.ny.gov/gis/erm/
New York Flora Atlas https://newyork.plantatlas.usf.edu
Plant Hardiness Zones https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/

Here is your opportunity to observe our native fauna and flora in action. Don your weather appropriate gear and get out to meet your fellow members. Please note these trails are not paved and most will not have facilities at trailheads, come prepared. These are also unguided hikes so bring your camera and smartphone apps to help identify wildlife. Please consider carpooling.

We will be meeting in the Education Center and then deciding if we should hike, or just hang out and enjoy the center. Please keep an eye on this website and our social media for any cancellations. While we will go out in the snow, if there is an active storm that makes driving difficult we will cancel.  

Join our leadership team to discuss the direction of the chapter. These monthly meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm is a great time to present events and opportunities for the chapter. Ideas such as networking, collaborations, lobbying, advocacy, community science/conservation/restoration projects, fundraising, demonstration gardens, invasive species removals, and any other idea you can think of. Contact us if you would like to receive the zoom link. 

Join Unity Lutheran Church for a potluck lunch while Kristi gives a brief presentation on Why Native Plants? Provided the weather is nice, around 1 pm, we will head out to collect trash that has blown onto the property. Bring a pair of gloves and any wear appropriate clothing for our unpredictable weather. Come get a look at the location for our native plant garden and there is plenty to see! There are already several native plants growing and supporting wildlife. This event is open to the community so please bring a friend and spread the word. 

Join us every 3rd Sunday of the month for a brief presentation and garden related activity!

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. 

We will be returning to the Expo with an educational table and several members will be giving presentations. Double check the Expo's website but here is the current lineup.
Friday:
11 am Building a Bird Garden with Kristi Shepler
12 pm Gardeners & Pollinator-Friendly Solar with Jennifer Michelle (GreenTown Consulting)
1 pm 50 Things to Make the Earth a Healthier Place with Pam Skripak
2 pm Native Plants go Public with Donna Newsome

Saturday:
11 am What are Native Plants & Why are They Important with Steve Young (New York Flora Association)
12 pm The Wonder of Nature and Why It's Good For You with Rhonda Rumsey van Heuveln (Capital Native Plants)
3 pm A Journey to a Natural Yard in Suburbia with Laura Davis (Capital District Pollinator Allies)

Sunday:
11 am Attract Pollinators to Your Garden with Kristi Shepler
1 pm 50 Things to Make the Earth a Healthier Place with Pam Skripak
2 pm How to Advocate for Native Plants in Your Community with Jennifer Michelle (GreenTown Consulting)
3 pm Ecological Landscapes Discussion Panel hosted by our chapter!

Please use the following link to purchase tickets as this lets the Expo organizer know who is attending because they included Natural Landscaping practices:
https://ticketing.events/app/portal/1/9216?channel=event_rep&rep_id=98

Here is your opportunity to observe our native fauna and flora in action. Don your weather appropriate gear and get out to meet your fellow members. Please note these trails are not paved and most will not have facilities at trailheads, come prepared. These are also unguided hikes so bring your camera and smartphone apps to help identify wildlife. Please consider carpooling.

Please note this trailhead does not have any facilities and the trail itself will be muddy.

We welcome our members, and their guests, or anyone who likes to discuss and share their stories of native plants and ecological landscaping. Jennifer Michelle of GreenTown Consulting will lead our group in delightful conversations about current and relevant topics. Please use the registration link to sign up for the Zoom link and submit any topics/questions that you might have. Then share this event with others so we always have a lively group!

***Comments and statements made during the forum are not a reflection of Wild Ones, our chapter, or our partners. Please note all in attendance have varying skill sets and levels. Additional research should be done outside of our forum from industry leaders. We also encourage you to bring your findings back to the group at the next event.***

Join with members to discuss past events, project /tour ideas and the direction of the chapter.  Join our monthly leadership meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM.  It is a great time to present events and opportunities for the chapter.   Ideas such as networking, collaborations, lobbying, advocacy, community science/conservation/restoration projects, fundraising, demonstration gardens, invasive species removals, and any other idea you can think of are welcome.  Contact us if you would like to receive a zoom link to attend this meeting.

Let's see what native plants are popping up in this lovely park! Past spring sightings have included Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) , Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), and Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum). Lots of wildlife to see, too!

In honor of Earth Day, the Town of Corinth is having a clean-up day! People come together to pick up the trash and learn about the environment. 

Join Unity Lutheran Church for a potluck lunch while Kristi gives a brief presentation on Citizen Science: Bioblitz with iNaturalist. Provided the weather is nice we will head out to log what early spring species we find into iNaturalist. Bring your smartphone loaded with the iNaturalist app and any wear appropriate clothing for our unpredictable weather. Come get a look at the location for our native plant garden and there is plenty to see! There are already several native plants growing and supporting wildlife. This event is open to the community so please bring a friend and spread the word.

Join us every 3rd Sunday of the month for a brief presentation and garden related activity! 

Join us for a presentation on how to ethically harvest native plant seeds to increase biodiversity! New York Flora Association will be available to help you identify plants and use the New York Flora Atlas to find out if they are native to NY. This is also a great opportunity to meet Wild Ones a group of gardners dedicated to thriving native plants in the Capital Region.

Saturday, May 4th @ 10:00 am Albany Rural Cemetery Meet & Hike with Laura Davis. Meet at  3 Cemetery Avenue, Menands in the parking area near the chapel. Incorporated in 1841, Albany Rural Cemetery (ARC) is one of the oldest and grandest examples of the rural or garden cemetery movement in America.  There are many large mature, beautiful trees, and we will try to seek out any flowers that may be blooming in the wooded areas. It is hilly terrain with some steep sections, and can be wet so please wear sturdy hiking shoes. We will reschedule if it rains steadily or heavily. Recommend you bring a camera, and your own water/snacks. No restrooms available.  

Join our leadership team to discuss the direction of the chapter.  These monthly meetings are on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM.  It is a great time to present events and opportunities for the chapter.   Ideas such as networking, collaborations, lobbying, advocacy, community science/conservation/restoration projects, fundraising, demonstration gardens, invasive species removals, and any other idea you can think of are welcome.  Contact us if you would like to receive a zoom link to attend this meeting.

SoBro conserves vacant urban parcels and transforms them into pollinator-friendly green spaces, while educating about how such green spaces strengthen the web of life on which human well-being depends.

SoBro has already created berms and paths at the South Broadway location so now it's time to get native plants in the ground! 

From 8am to 10am, they would like gardeners knowledgeable in native plants to help unload and place the plants, under the direction of their garden designer. 

From 10am to 2pm, everyone is welcome to help plant the 600+ plants, and then help water and clean up. 

If you're not sure which group you are in, please come after 10am - we would be delighted to see you!

Join Friends of Thacher, Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center, and us as we feature native plants that support pollinators through all stages of their life cycle. Please check back for updates as we finish off details!

Our plant propagation team has been working hard on over 70 species of plants for the upcoming sale. Please stay tuned as we hope to post a list soon. Even though the event is approaching a lot of growth is happening. If our team members do not think the plants look ready to be sold they reserve the right to remove them from the sale. Our gardens take patience and we ask you to extend that to our plant list as well. 

Please note there will be no "window" shopping before 10 am so our volunteers can finish setting up plants. We will have the Master Gardeners, Wild Ones Capital Region NY, Friends of Thacher, Emma Treadweall Thacher Education Center, and New York Flora Association available to talk to. There is also a beautiful view and some trails to enjoy until we officially open.

Join Unity Lutheran Church for a potluck lunch while Laura Davis presents A Journey to a Natural Yard in Suburbia. Provided the weather is nice we will head out to remove invasive species such as garlic mustard weed and dames rocket before they go to seed. Bring your gloves, tick repellent, and any wear appropriate clothing for our unpredictable weather. This event is open to the community so please bring a friend and spread the word.  

Join us every 3rd Sunday of the month for a brief presentation and garden related activity! 

Towns and HOAs can do a lot more to support pollinators than just plant some milkweed. Discover strategies for getting your town or homeowners association excited about native plants and pollinators. Find out how to think like a town or HOA, not like a homeowner, so you can make your community pollinator-friendly!

Sustainable Saratoga is hosting Pollinator Palooza, a native plant sale - with over 35 native plant species!

Make a day of it! Learn how your garden, no matter how small, can help pollinators. Pollinator Palooza features information about sustainable gardening, the importance of native species, and general plant and pollinator educational resources, including free soil pH testing. We will have fun kids’ activities, raffles (gift certificates, books, plants, and more), entertainment, and delicious food. PLEASE NOTE: Cash or check preferred.

We welcome our members, and their guests, or anyone who likes to discuss and share their stories of native plants and ecological landscaping. Jennifer Michelle of GreenTown Consulting will lead our group in delightful conversations about current and relevant topics. Please use the registration link to sign up for the Zoom link and submit any topics/questions that you might have. Then share this event with others so we always have a lively group!

***Comments and statements made during the forum are not a reflection of Wild Ones, our chapter, or our partners. Please note all in attendance have varying skill sets and levels. Additional research should be done outside of our forum from industry leaders. We also encourage you to bring your findings back to the group at the next event.***

Join Unity Lutheran Church for a potluck lunch and we will have the garden design by Front Stoop Gardens on display. Provided the weather is nice we will head outside to see the design and log what summer species we find into iNaturalist. Bring your smartphone loaded with the iNaturalist app and any wear appropriate clothing for our unpredictable weather. Don't forget tick repellent we will be walking through grass and woodlots. This event is open to the community so please bring a friend and spread the word

Join us every 3rd Sunday of the month for a brief presentation and garden related activity! 

Join our leadership team to discuss the direction of the chapter.  It is a great time to present events and opportunities for the chapter.   Ideas such as networking, collaborations, lobbying, advocacy, community science/conservation/restoration projects, fundraising, demonstration gardens, invasive species removals, and any other idea you can think of are welcome.  Contact us if you would like to receive a zoom link to attend this meeting.

Saturday, June  22 from 11am- 1:30pm (pouring rain-date 6/23) - Home Garden Tour. Members and their friends are welcome to visit this suburban Colonie, NY yard where the lawn is being replaced with native plants. The Davis Family has been nurturing natives for the past four years.  They invite you to see what is growing in the sandy soil, what wildlife is attracted, and to share their successes and failures.  Please feel free to offer ideas on what may improve the gardens.  You will see a range of plants that can thrive in these sandy conditions.
Registration required.  The address will be sent to you prior to the event.   NOTE: if you have trouble with the registration, please try to open the link in a different browser. 

Camp Saratoga is a Karner Blue butterfly preserve. With any luck, we will see lots of these tiny but lovely butterflies! Lots of native plants, too - Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), and Horsemint (Monada punctata). Maybe a few native lupine (Lupinus perennis) still in bloom, too!

Join our leadership team to discuss the direction of the chapter.  These monthly meetings are on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM.  It is a great time to present events and opportunities for the chapter.   Ideas such as networking, collaborations, lobbying, advocacy, community science/conservation/restoration projects, fundraising, demonstration gardens, invasive species removals, and any other idea you can think of are welcome.  Contact us if you would like to receive a zoom link to attend this meeting.

·      “Try it and See Garden” WO member Donna’s Garden recently received National Wildlife Federation Habitat Certification. Open: 10:00 AM -12:00 PM

·      “A Hell Strip and So Much More”  a beautiful pollinator garden. The Hell strip is an example of a somewhat “groomed” spot that needs little maintenance. Open: 11:00 AM- 1:00 PM

·      “A Free For All '' A yard that’s been freed from grass and filled with vegetation, creating a riot of trees, shrubs and plants that feed birds, butterflies, insects, chipmunks and even some humans. Open:  12:00 PM- 2:00 PM

Members may bring a friend but registration is required.

Join Unity Lutheran Church for a potluck lunch and then help us prep up garden beds. We will be moving mulch so please bring gloves, shovels, and wheelbarrows. This event is open to the community so please bring a friend and spread the word. Join us every 3rd Sunday of the month for a brief presentation and garden related activity! Stay tuned we may add additional dates as we secure plants.

Two Rensselear County Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners,  and Wild Ones members, give a description and tour of the native gardens and projects they have worked to develop over time.   

This event is open to non members but please register for this event. 

"A Yard & Town in Transition " Jennifer & Dennis have been slowing converting lawn to native plants, adding a little each year, (seed, plugs, and some potted plants) creating beds containing multiple layers of maturity. Their goal is to create the feel of a botanical garden. Open: 10:00AM-2:00 PM

"A Growing Cottage Style Garden" Since 2017 Kate  has been slowly been transitioning her half acre city lot to a garden that considers the needs of birds, insects and the local ecosystem into the plans for the property, with a gradual reduction of lawn.  Open: 10:00 AM-12:00PM

"A Mighty Fine Mess" Carol has both sunny and shady garden beds and water features in her rural setting , attracting pollinators and birds and doing her small part to combat climate change. Open: 12:00 PM- 2:00 PM

Join our leadership team to discuss the direction of the chapter.  These monthly meetings are on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM.  It is a great time to present events and opportunities for the chapter.   Ideas such as networking, collaborations, lobbying, advocacy, community science/conservation/restoration projects, fundraising, demonstration gardens, invasive species removals, and any other idea you can think of are welcome.  Contact us if you would like to receive a zoom link to attend this meeting.

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. 

Saturday 24th at 10:00am Meet & Hike at the Albany Pine Bush with Dustin Mitchell.  The Albany Pine Bush is a jewel in our region, and a great place to spot native species growing in their native habitat. We should be able to see some asters in bloom this time of year, and lots of other late-summer blooms. We'll explore what we find, and practice identifying with keys and apps. The focus is on getting an idea of how some common natives like to grow, to give them a better home in our gardens. We will start in the parking lot at the discovery center at 195 New Karner Road. The walk will be short, on sandy, somewhat hilly terrain. Dress for the weather, bring water, and pack insect repellent spray or clothing - ticks are endemic! The discovery center has restrooms.

Join our leadership team to discuss the direction of the chapter.  These monthly meetings are on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM.  It is a great time to present events and opportunities for the chapter.   Ideas such as networking, collaborations, lobbying, advocacy, community science/conservation/restoration projects, fundraising, demonstration gardens, invasive species removals, and any other idea you can think of are welcome.  Contact us if you would like to receive a zoom link to attend this meeting.

Visit a member garden and as well as a Native Garden planted at the Bethlehem Town Hall by a number of groups, including the Bethlehem Garden Club, Albany County Cornell Cooperative Extension and Wild Ones Members.

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. 

Sunday 22nd at 2:30pm- 5pm  Annual Meeting and Member Appreciation Garden Party at Cornell Cooperative Extension Schenectady County Sustainable Living Center.  What a great 3rd year our Wild Ones chapter has had! Come celebrate our successful growth and projects at our annual Membership Appreciation event.  It will be a wonderful opportunity to mingle with members and fellow garden enthusiasts, maybe win a prize, and enjoy a special garden tour by the Schenectady County Master Gardeners. We will have refreshments and vote on our 2025 officers too.  Bring an interested friend(s): registration required to plan for appetizers.  https://forms.gle/WCAiGL9KAu6yB7FP6  

Join our leadership team to discuss the direction of the chapter.  These monthly meetings are on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM.  It is a great time to present events and opportunities for the chapter.   Ideas such as networking, collaborations, lobbying, advocacy, community science/conservation/restoration projects, fundraising, demonstration gardens, invasive species removals, and any other idea you can think of are welcome.  Contact us if you would like to receive a zoom link to attend this meeting.

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 our leadership team to discuss the direction of the chapter.  These monthly meetings are on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM.  It is a great time to present events and opportunities for the chapter.   Ideas such as networking, collaborations, lobbying, advocacy, community science/conservation/restoration projects, fundraising, demonstration gardens, invasive species removals, and any other idea you can think of are welcome.  Contact us if you would like to receive a zoom link to attend this meeting.

Join our leadership team to discuss the direction of the chapter.  These monthly meetings are on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM.  It is a great time to present events and opportunities for the chapter.   Ideas such as networking, collaborations, lobbying, advocacy, community science/conservation/restoration projects, fundraising, demonstration gardens, invasive species removals, and any other idea you can think of are welcome.  Contact us if you would like to receive a zoom link to attend this meeting.