Events

Register by October 14th for The Connecticut Horticultural Society’s biennial symposium. 

This daylong event  will feature presentations by garden experts Rebecca McMackin, Christine Darnell, and Jennifer McGuinness, followed by “Gardening at Every Age,” a panel discussion and Q&A moderated by Jim Sirch. Panelists include gardening experts at various stages of life and career: Karen Bussolini, Nancy DuBrule-Clemente, Dan Furman, Eric Mason, Jennifer McGuinness, and Jillian Shea.  Wild Ones is one of the sponsors of this event.

– The keynote speaker is Rebecca McMackin, whose talk is “Adventures in Ecological Horticulture."

– Christine Darnell will present “Approaching the Garden.”

– Jennifer McGuinness will discuss “Designing for Birds: Lessons from an Evolving Garden.”

Admission, which is the same as it was in 2020, includes coffee and buffet lunch. Parking is free.

The registration deadline is OCTOBER 14th.

This biennial symposium is held by the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG)

**Attend in person or purchase the recording** 
The symposium will be recorded and made available after the event. 

Choose one of the following registration options: 
Attend in person on October 28 and receive the full symposium recording after the event. 
Recording only, not attending in person on Oct. 28. 

Registration, agenda and more information at link below.

Join us to chat informally about seasonal issues and other questions you have about growing native plants, habitat gardening, and any problems you have encountered.   All native gardeners – novice or veteran - are welcome.  While not required, questions or topics of interest may be submitted in advance via email to [email protected] to give us time to research the answers.   Q&A will be moderated by one or more chapter leaders, focusing on seasonally relevant topics, but any native gardening question is fair game.  We will do our best to answer  your questions – and if we can’t, perhaps another attendee can!  

This program is for members only.   Register to receive the zoom link.  

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.

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

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.