Events

Event hosted by all Minnesota Chapters.  Presented by Lucas Rhoads.

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.

Public gardens hold tremendous power to influence landscaping norms and inspire change. By showcasing the beauty, functionality, and ecological value of native plants, these spaces help foster biodiversity, advocate for sustainable practices, and engage communities in environmental stewardship. 

This webinar will explore how public and demonstration gardens serve as powerful tools for native plant advocacy. Attendees will learn how gardens move beyond aesthetics to spark action—turning appreciation into engagement and inspiring participants to replicate these practices in their own communities.

We will hear insights from Nicole Machuca, Environmental Social Scientist at the Field Museum, on how public gardens influence behaviors, foster stewardship, and connect people to conservation efforts through research and community engagement. The Wild Ones Capital Region NY and the Wild Ones San Diego (CA) Chapters will share their experiences building native plant demonstration gardens and how these spaces drive community engagement, education, and advocacy. And We'll finish with a conversation exploring how public gardens create a lasting impact beyond planting day moderated by Kelly Kapuzzi, Demonstration Garden Char with the Wild Ones Hocking Hills (OH) Chapter.

Our Spring Wildflower Walk will be Wednesday, May 7 at 6:00 pm at the Partch Woods Scientific and Natural Area.  (A couple of scheduling notes--I have selected an earlier time than most of our meetings so that we have sufficient light in the woods.  Also, please reserve Weds, May 14 as an alternate date, which may be necessary given the vagaries of weather and actual Minnesota spring.  I give you as evidence our forecast for tonight and tomorrow.)  The walk will be led by Kyle Rauch, who is the site steward for the Partch Woods SNA.  In addition to showing us around, Kyle can tell us what the job of an SNA site steward involves.  I hope you can make it.  As always, bring a friend.  Directions and more info about the site can be found at the following link:  Partch Woods SNA  Note that you will be parking on the shoulder of a county road, and there are no rest rooms, trails or water available on this site.

Some general information about this and other outdoor meetings:  The ground at this site is level (other than the access from the ditch)  but it may be muddy so wear appropriate footwear. There may be mosquitos and ticks, so prepare accordingly.  Bring anything you might need (water, snacks, etc) for an hour or so in the woods.  Given the challenges in rescheduling, we would probably meet in a drizzle, or even in the event of possible rain.  In the event of steady rain all day, very high probability of bad weather, etc we will probably cancel and I will send out an email at least an hour in advance of our starting time.  If you hear nothing, assume we are meeting.  Of course, make a good decision based on your own travel situation and tolerance for poor conditions!  In this case, I'll also confirm our May 7 date or change to the 14th in the meeting reminder. which I will do on or about the 5th.

Join Wild Ones National Board President Loris Damerow for a special presentation as part of Week 3 of the 2025 Less Lawn More Life Challenge, “Native Plants Planted Right.” Loris will walk us through the basics of native plant gardening- from choosing the right plants to planting and maintaining them with confidence.

Join us on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 5 p.m. CT for the YouTube Live premiere of this 30-minute webinar. Native plant experts from  Wild Ones, Plan it Wild, Homegrown National Park, ReWild Your Campus, and others will be active in the live chat throughout the presentation and for 30 minutes after the webinar, giving you plenty of time to ask questions and engage! 

This event is designed for newcomers to native gardening and is part of the national Less Lawn More Life Challenge, hosted by Plan It Wild in collaboration with Wild Ones, iNaturalist, Homegrown National Park, Pollinator Partnership  and many others! 

See more about the Less Lawn More Life Challenge:  https://www.lesslawnmorelife.com/ 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon!