Events

Living on the Edge: Designing the Transition from Landscape to Forest

The transition zone between a cultivated landscape and a natural forested area provides unique opportunities (and challenges!) in a home landscape. The strategic use of native understory trees and shrubs can provide screening and other important landscape functions as well as expanding your seasonal interest and support for native pollinators/wildlife.

Full-day conference includes morning coffee/continental breakfast, three presentations, lunch, panel discussion and an optional tour after the conference.

– Edgy Ecology for the Formal Forest Fringe — Lea Johnson, PhD, Director of Conservation, The Native Plant Trust

– Designing the Edge — Kate Cholakis, Professor of Landscape Planning & Design, The Conway School of Landscape Design

– Shrubs for the Forest Edge — Bryan Connolly, PhD, Associate Professor of Biology, Eastern Connecticut State University

Conference is hosted by the Connecticut College Arboretum and co-sponsored by the Mountain Laurel Chapter.

Seating is limited. Registration required.
Registration is $75 or $60  for members of Wild Ones or Connecticut College Arboretum.
Applications are being taken for a limited number of sponsored or discounted registrations.

All members are welcome at chapter Board business meetings. Email chapter in advance to receive Zoom link if you wish to attend.

Planting native species is an important step toward creating habitat, but how can you tell what’s working, what’s missing, and where to focus your efforts next?

Join Wild Ones and Wildr Places for The Habitat Check-up, a free webinar exploring a practical, science-informed approach to evaluating your home landscape. Presenter Zoe Evans will introduce five key areas to consider when assessing habitat and share how thoughtful observations can help guide your next steps.

Whether you’re just getting started with native plants or have been gardening for years, this webinar will help you look at your landscape through a new lens.

Mountain Laurel Chapter Board members and regional “hub” coordinators are eager to welcome and get acquainted with our new members.  ("New members" are not only those individuals or organizations who have joined Wild Ones within the last year, but also members who have recently changed their affiliation to the Mountain Laurel Chapter.)   Find out what we do and what opportunities we offer.  We'd love to know where you are in your own "native plant journey," what you'd like to learn and how you'd like to engage with Wild Ones.  The format will be relaxed and casual, with a round of introductions followed by open Q&A.  This is the first of 2 virtual meet-ups; attend one or both sessions as you like. The virtual meeting is open to all members who'd like to learn more about our chapter, but especially to our new members.  This is one of two time slots;  the other session will be on Thursday, Dec 3 at 7 PM.  Since these sessions are limited to Wild Ones members, we ask that you register to receive the link for the Zoom meeting.
 

Mountain Laurel Chapter Board members and regional “hub” coordinators are eager to welcome and get acquainted with our new members.  ("New members" are not only those individuals or organizations who have joined Wild Ones within the last year, but also members who have recently changed their affiliation to the Mountain Laurel Chapter.)   Find out what we do and what opportunities we offer.  We'd love to know where you are in your own "native plant journey," what you'd like to learn and how you'd like to engage with Wild Ones.  The format will be relaxed and casual, with a round of introductions followed by open Q&A.  This is the first of 2 virtual meet-ups; attend one or both sessions as you like. The virtual meeting is open to all members who'd like to learn more about our chapter, but especially to our new members.  This is one of two time slots;  the other session is on Saturday, November 21 at 3 PM.  Since these sessions are limited to Wild Ones members, we ask that you register for the link to join the Zoom meeting.
 

All members are welcome at chapter Board business meetings. Email chapter in advance to receive Zoom link if you wish to attend.

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE for our annual seed sharing event.  More details to come!

Start preparing by saving seeds from your native gardens, following our seed sharing guidelines.

If you have not collected native seeds before, check out our online Seed Collecting resources in the Native Plant Propagation section of the Resources in the website menu bar.

No yard required. Learn how native plants can turn patios, balconies, containers, and other small spaces into meaningful habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. This practical panel will cover plant selection, container design, seasonal care, and realistic ways to support biodiversity in limited spaces.

Registration link coming soon.

Birds depend on healthy, connected habitats for food, shelter, nesting, and migration support. Join experts from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to explore how native plants and thoughtful landscape choices can support birdlife at home. Learn how gardens, yards, and community spaces can provide the insects, seeds, berries, cover, and habitat structure birds need throughout the year.

Registration link coming soon. 

Monarch butterflies depend on a network of habitats stretching across North America, and home landscapes can play an important role in their survival. Join experts from Monarch Joint Venture to explore the science behind monarch conservation, including the importance of milkweed, nectar resources, and regionally appropriate habitat. Learn practical ways to support monarchs through native landscaping and help sustain one of the world's most remarkable migrations.
 

Registration link coming soon.