Saturday, August 16, we enjoyed a lively and informative presentation by members of the Cheshire Pollinator Pathway group on the joys and challenges of working with their municipality to install pollinator gardens adjacent to the Lock 12 greenway. After the presentation and tour, we convened for a brown bag lunch in the greenway pavilion where we had a great time connecting with fellow native plant activists. If you are in the neighborhood, we encourage you to visit the two gardens on either side of N Brooksvale Road whenever it’s convenient. Parking is free at the Lock 12 lot.
Please help us by sharing YOUR local native plant activities or events with us so we can share them with a larger community. We’re also eager to co-sponsor programs you or your organization hosts or by developing a program for the Wild Ones membership that features your organization and the work you are doing. Please contact Robin Parsons, [email protected], Jim Sirch, [email protected], or Sue Stark, [email protected] with your ideas and suggestions.
Fairfield County Hub
Maggie Dobbins enjoyed having fellow Wild Ones member tour their property. She says she got so many great suggestions from experienced gardeners—plants were recommended for tough areas, and suggestions for why some plants were thriving and others were dying. She got so much out of having people here as they are in year 3 of eradicating invasives and planting natives. She would encourage anyone else who wants input to consider opening up your property for advice and encouragement! See some photos below from her tour.
Member Tyler Adams gave us a very educational and inspiring tour of his property on August 23. I was so happy to see the state of his wildflower meadow in Year 2, full of vibrant beautiful pollinator flowers, gave me enormous hope! And the tour was educational in so many respects—his succession planning, his emphasis on unique edible plants, his construction of a greenhouse, his minimal electric fences to keep critters away.
Maggie recently learned about the Norwalk River Watershed Association and the work they do in restoration. They offer some great events too, so have a look here. She is thinking of going on the butterfly walk with Victor DeMasi.
Maggie recently got a series of four very well organized books on Plants for Climate Resilience from the Wild Seed Project. Check out this link if interested.
Wild Ones is teaming up with Aspetuck Land Trust to offer a Book Club on a new well reviewed book titled “The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue” by Mike Tidwell. The facilitator will offer two zoom sessions and one in person session in November. This well reviewed book can be purchased at your favorite bookstore or consider buying online at www.Bookshop.org as they make a donation to your choice of local bookstore for every purchase. Or buy online at WildOnes.org and they are the beneficiary! Stay tuned, more info coming soon.
Fairfield Audubon is holding the bird craft Museum open for us to get together on Saturday, Dec 6, at 3:00PM. Let’s talk gardens—successes, stuff that did not work out as hoped, questions, photos, plans for next year, etc. Please email Maggie if you think you will make it by October 31st so she can give them a head count.
Maggie has started a Chat Group onWhat’s App. Just down load the app for free, then search for Wild Ones of SW CT. Put in your name and number and say hi—let’s build a group. Starting it now is perfect as the winter gives us more time to connect with questions!
Please reach out to Maggie Dobbins, [email protected], if you have ideas for programs or know of events that others may be interested in.
