Events

Board Meeting: 2024 Programming

Join entomologist Victor DeMasi for a virtual tour of his meadow in Redding Connecticut. Pollinator biology, with a focus on butterflies, will be reviewed and challenges facing our pollinators will be discussed. Victor will also provide tips on how to enhance habitat quality for pollinators. The fascinating life history of Monarch butterflies that includes the several milkweed species in the Northeast will be touched upon.

Two drawers of museum quality butterfly specimens will be on display.
Our meeting will open at 10 AM with an hour of informal socializing and light refreshments. Give and take at our book and seed exchanges. The educational program will start at 11 AM.

This event is free and open to the public, no pre-registration is required.

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. 

Board Meeting: 2024 Programming

Join Wild Ones members at a virtual networking event for native plant enthusiasts. Here is your chance to learn what the Mountain Laurel Chapter is planning for 2024 including upcoming programs and partnerships for environmental literacy that provide resources to students and educators. We will have an open forum for information sharing and Q&A. What we’d love to hear from you:

*  What speakers, topics or types of programs/activities interest you the most?
* What native plant resources do you need?
*  How can we work together to make Connecticut “greener” and more nature friendly?
*  Can you share a success story about convincing friends, neighbors or family to reduce or eliminate lawn and add native plants to their yards?
* What are the concerns about habitat gardening that you hear the most: wild/messy-looking yards, mosquitos & ticks, attracting bees & wasps?

You can submit topics or questions in advance via email to [email protected] to give us the chance to research answers for you. So please join us from the comfort of your home for a pre-season conversation about “bringing nature home". This event is free and open to the public. Register to receive the Zoom link.
https://wildones-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpc-CrqD8tG9IxJyWbn-VTW4OCSTrlFsOn

Board Meeting: 2024 Programming

With spring plant sales and planting season just around the corner, this program will help you find the right native plants for your garden.  Learn the importance of ecoregion and ecotypes, then participate in discussion around the use of native cultivars ("nativars") versus straight species.  We will provide guidance on how to talk with plant retailers to ensure that their plants are safe for pollinators and wildlife.  We want to hear about your experiences, good and bad.  There will be plenty of time for your questions.

Our meeting will open at 10 AM with an hour of informal socializing and light refreshments. We host a free-will garden/nature book and magazine table — feel free to bring or take garden-related literature that may be useful or just fun to read. The educational program will start at 11 AM. 

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. 

Board Meeting: 2024 Programming

Invasive Plant Management, talk and walk with Lydia Pan at Coogan Farm Nature and Heritage Center, Mystic. Offered in partnership with the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center.  Free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Agenda:  Committee reports, 2024 Programming, Plant Sale planning, Board vacancies (Membership, Secretary), COEEA partnership next steps.

Seedling identification is an important skill for habitat restoration.  Come visit the Avalonia Land Conservancy’s Leo Antonino Preserve, one of the newest land preserves in Groton.  Botanist and natural landscaper Charlie Boos will lead a trip through the timeline of a native landscape restoration effort that started more than 4 years ago with a landscape that was nearly 100% infested with non-native plants, through the clearing and complete elimination of invasive plants, to the planting of desirable and appropriate native species to rebuild well-functioning early successional habitat.  Special attention will be paid to identifying the multitudes of native species that have been introduced and how they appear as they grow and refill the heavily impacted landscape.  Although the site is less than 4 acres, it includes dry xeric upland leading down a potentially forested slope to an artificial pond, so there is the opportunity to rebuild a variety of plant communities.  The area where we will walk represents the extreme northwest corner of the preserve and does not have any formal trails.  The terrain is fairly level but rough, with some low hanging branches and woody debris on the ground.  Wear sturdy walking shoes, and dress appropriately to protect yourself against thorns, insects and ticks.  

We will meet at the restoration site, posted with Avalonia Conservancy signs. GIS coordinates are 41°22'13.0"N 72°03'10.1"W.  THIS IS NOT THE MAIN ENTRY TO THE PRESERVE.  The restoration site is marked with a pin on this map.   It is south of the unmarked access road to the office complex from Antonino Road, across the street from the rear service entrance to Girard Nissan auto center.  If you turn onto Antonino Rd from Rt. 184, drive past the site and  turn around in the cul-de-sac so you can park along Antonino Rd directly in front of the restoration site.  If you approach from Winding Hollow Rd, turn left onto Antonino Rd to reach the site.  Look for Avalonia and Wild Ones signs. Park on the preserve side of Antonino Rd only, to avoid impeding through traffic.

This program is free and open to the public but we ask that you register so we are able to contact you in case of postponement or cancellation (due to weather).  To register, email Lydia Pan with the subject "Wild Ones May Program: Seedling Walk"

Board Meeting: 2024 Programming

Meet at the Arch for a walk and talk along the Boardwalk featuring issues encountered when adding native plant resources to public spaces.  We'll discuss the approach the NPI has taken, the plants we've selected, and the challenges we've encountered.  Brief overview of a shoreline ecological restoration project will also be included.  Plant lists will be provided and all participants are invited to bring a brown bag picnic and stay after the program for socializing and more talk.

Board Meeting: 2024 Programming

Part 1 of a 2 part program by Anna Fialkoff, Arboretum horticulturist is a Powerpoint talk about principles of layered planting to fill every niche for wildlife from ground to canopy and guilds of compatible plants for different growing conditions and sites.

Native Plant Guilds: Part 2, The Walk: Arboretum walk with special attention to layered plantings/plant guilds. Will try to feature species in our plant sale.

Rachel Lindsay, Senior Designer, Regenerative Design Group will conduct a 2-3 hour property consultation for the Culp's yard which is open to Wild Ones members.  Stay for a potluck picnic afterwards. This program is FULL,  please contact Arline [email protected] if interested to be put on the waitlist.

Board Meeting: Agenda

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. 

Fall is the best season to plant many native plants. Customers may pick up pre-ordered plants and shop the walk-in sale.  The first hour of the sale (3 PM  - 4 PM) is for Wild Ones and Arboretum members only.  Open to the public 4 PM - 6 PM.

The deadline to place (or cancel) online orders is 11:59 PM on Sunday, August 25,
2024.

Click “Read More” button to go to the online plant sale.

Fall is the best season to plant many native plants.   All customers may pick up pre-ordered plants.  Walk-in sale is open to the public.

The deadline to place (or cancel) online orders is 11:59 PM on Sunday, August 25,
2024.

Click “Read More” button to go to the online plant sale.

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. 

Meeting agenda

There's nothing more satisfying to a gardener than growing plants from seed. From wildflowers and perennials to trees and shrubs, success can be achieved if you understand what and when to collect to make it happen. Following a lecture in the classroom, we will collect seeds from the Arboretum grounds. Bring hand pruners if you have them. You will leave class with numerous seeds to care for.

This program is open to all.

COST: $25 -or- $15 for members of the Connecticut College Arboretum and/or Wild Ones Mountain Laurel Chapter.

CASH -or- CHECK PAYMENT AT DOOR.
Registration required; space is limited to the first 18 participants.
 

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! 

Board Meeting: 2024 Programming

Native plants have an incredible ability to adapt to climate extremes, offering sustainable solutions for resilient landscapes. Join Wild Ones and the Native Plant Society of Texas to explore the power of native plants to thrive in challenging conditions.

This event features Christy Ten Eyck, founder of Ten Eyck Landscape Architects. Drawing from her latest Dallas-Fort Worth native garden design, Christy will share insights into designing low-maintenance, ecologically rich spaces that withstand intense climate fluctuations.

You are invited to a meet & greet on Zoom, with a special welcome extended to new members.  Meet other WO members and ask your native gardening questions or any questions you have about Wild Ones and our chapter in particular.  Our chapter has been growing rapidly so we are eager to meet new members and hear what is on your minds.  The format will be relaxed and informal, with a round of introductions followed by Q&A.  This is the first of two time slots scheduled for your convenience.  No pre-registration is required. Meeting ID and Passcode have been emailed to active members.

Link to join this meeting:

https://wildones-org.zoom.us/j/89237919675?pwd=8Tvm5tbpArZP2ATqWGmcxnJuEExUOC.1

You are invited to a meet & greet on Zoom, with a special welcome extended to new members.  Meet other WO members and ask your native gardening questions or any questions you have about Wild Ones and our chapter in particular.  Our chapter has been growing rapidly so we are eager to meet new members and hear what is on your minds.  The format will be relaxed and informal, with a round of introductions followed by Q&A.  This is the second of two time slots scheduled for your convenience.  No pre-registration is required. Meeting ID and Passcode have been emailed to active members.

Link to join meeting:

https://wildones-org.zoom.us/j/84916859018?pwd=RDAPYaoTCO6CPR8ZlaaqiswvIMebYQ.1

Neonicotinoid insecticides, commonly known as “neonics,” have become the most widely used insecticides in the U.S., leading to drastic declines in bees, pollinators, birds, and aquatic ecosystems. In this webinar, Lucas Rhoads, Senior Attorney with NRDC’s Pesticides & Pollinators Team, will share expert insights on how neonics impact our environment and pose serious risks to human health. He’ll delve into the harms associated with neonic-treated seeds, which are a major source of contamination, and explore effective policy advocacy strategies to rein in their widespread use without disrupting farmers or landscapers.

Wild Ones members and their guests are invited to our Mountain Laurel Chapter's annual holiday meeting & potluck lunch. 
12 PM:  Potluck and socializing
1 PM:  Business Meeting & Open Floor
2 PM:  Program (TBD)
 
Hear the “Year in Review,” financial report and election results.  Share Wild Ones related ideas and information.
 
To make this a low-waste event, we ask that you bring your own reusable mug, plate and utensils. Everyone who complies will get a free raffle ticket!
 
Join us to end the year with good food, conversation and camaraderie!