Events

Learn about different types of ferns and their distinguishing characteristics.  After an introduction to this ancient  family of vascular plants, we will take a walk in Connecticut College Arboretum Native Plant Collection to see many examples. Our talk and walk will be led by Emily B. Sessa, Ph.D., the Patricia K. Holmgren Director of the William and Lynda Steere Herbarium at The New York Botanical Garden.  Dr. Sessa is an expert on the evolution of ferns and lycophytes, and the author of a new field guide:  Ferns, Spikemosses, Clubmosses and Quillworts of Eastern North America (2024, Princeton University Press).  https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691219455/ferns-spikemosses-clubmosses-and-quillworts-of-eastern-north-america?srsltid=AfmBOopwbXaBRvttDqxoDT1yRdloQU8b8ejKCieg22-h6bwOsotYFZPR

The program is free but space is limited.  

THIS PROGRAM IS FULL BUT YOU CAN USE THE REGISTRATION BUTTON TO BE ADDED TO A WAIT LIST.  WE WILL NOTIFY YOU IF SPACE BECOMES AVAILABLE.

Transform your outdoor space with a beautiful ecosystem in a container that supports wildlife, requires minimal maintenance and will thrive in your unique environment.

Join Wild Ones and Urbanscapes Native Plant Nursery for a hands-on workshop to create a long-lived container garden for wildlife using locally sourced plants native to Ecoregion 59.

We will provide hands-on instruction for successfully combining native plants with ecosystem benefits for the unique conditions where they will live. We will have plants available for shady spots as well as sunny spots.

Each participant will receive guidance with selecting plant combinations and creating a vibrant, perennial container garden uniquely native to Ecoregion 59.

Bring a container to the workshop or select plants to install at home.  If you don't have a container to bring, we can provide you with a simple one.

Registration includes:

– Expert guidance selecting and arranging native plants in containers.

– Five handpicked native plants tailored to your location and goals.

Bring your own container to plant or select plants to install at home

Additional plants and potting soil will be available for purchase.

Cost is $40 per person/family/container.  Limited to 10 registrants.   

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

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

A tour and discussion about two adjacent gardens developed on public land by the Cheshire Pollinator Pathway group with the option to visit their third site, not too far away.  Potluck or picnic lunch following the tour.

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

SAVE THE DATE!  We will be offering a selection of woody and herbaceous native plants for pre-ordering online.  Additional plants will be available for sale on site during pickup hours.  Times may be subject to change.

Many volunteers will be needed to prepare for and staff the sale.  We will send a link to sign up closer to the sale date.

SAVE THE DATE!  We will be offering a selection of woody and herbaceous native plants for pre-ordering online.  Additional plants will be available for sale on site during pickup hours.  Times may be subject to change.

Many volunteers will be needed to prepare for and staff the sale.  We will send a link to sign up closer to the sale date.

Details coming soon! 

The Hickories is a multi faceted farm, and their activities  include being a certified organic grower of vegetables,  fruits and flowers, and also pasture raised meats. They build biodiversity through offering restoration seeds from our Eco59 Region and is now home to the Northeast Seed Collective.  

We will have a tour and discussion with Dina Brewster for Wild Ones members only.

Participation limited to 30 people.  

Please consider carpooling as parking is limited.

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

Details coming soon! 

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

Smaller American Lawns Today, SALT, is a movement introduced in June of 1997 by Dr. William A. Niering, professor of botany at Connecticut College. The SALT mission is to decrease the size of lawns in America by restoring home grounds to more harmonious, productive, ecologically sound and naturalistic landscapes. SALT offers an alternative vision of the monocultured lawn. As Dr. Niering wrote, “There’s nothing wrong with dandelions, there’s something wrong with people.”

This annual conference is organized and hosted by Connecticut College Arboretum and sponsored in part by Wild Ones Mountain Laurel Chapter.  Wild Ones members receive discounted registration.

SAVE THE DATE.  Information specific for the November 8, 2025 conference will be posted here when available.

Our 2024 Conference, “To mow or not to mow: Creating your home meadow” sold out.  

An archive of SALT conferences may be found at the link.

Details coming soon! 

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