Catherine McKenzie’s 2025 First Place photo “Butterfly Class” captures a familiar Wild Ones experience: learning in the field, surrounded by native plants. In this Q&A, she shares how observation, timing, and connection shape the images that stand out. Continue reading "A Moment in the Field: How One Photo Captures Native Plants in Context"
All native trees matter, but some matter more than most. Keystone species support disproportionately more wildlife than other species. When it comes to trees, their degree of influence on food webs, structure, and ecosystem function is important in almost every terrestrial ecosystem. Furthermore, because trees live for decades or centuries, they become long-term anchors for […] Continue reading "Keystone Trees"
Not all “thorns” are actually thorns. This quick guide breaks down the differences between thorns, spines, and prickles, where they occur on plants, and why the distinction matters when identifying native species in the field or your own landscape. Continue reading "Thorns, Spines and Prickles"
Long before winter sowing became a trending gardening topic online, Wild Ones members were already experimenting with seeds, soil, and seasonal cycles. In the Winter 1993 issue of The Outside Story, contributors shared practical guidance on seed stratification, cold-weather sowing, and hands-on ways to help young people understand how plants grow and move through the world. Continue reading "Learning from Seeds: Winter Sowing, Seed Starting, and Youth Discovery"
Adding plants to the landscape for primarily winter interest extends our garden enjoyment through the entire year and more importantly provide food and shelter to wildlife. It lifts the spirits to look outside and see red stems or berries against the snow or birds flitting among tree branches or added texture in a dormant landscape. Planting something for specific-winter interest is a gift worth giving ourselves and the wildlife with whom we share our gardens. Continue reading "Extending Holiday Spirit in the Garden"
This article examines Manoomin v. Minnesota DNR, the first U.S. court case brought by a plant, exploring wild rice, Tribal sovereignty, and the rights of nature through the cultural and legal lens of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe. Continue reading "Manoomin: Wild Rice, Tribal sovereignty and the rights of nature in northern Minnesota "
Autumn is the time to plant bulbs, and rather than planting tulips, daffodils, and crocuses, consider planting native bulbs. Continue reading "Native Bulbs for a Spring Surprise"
Fallen leaves are nature’s mulch, not mess. Learn simple ways to keep them in place, protect overwintering insects, and build healthier soil. Leaving the leaves supports pollinators, improves moisture retention, and enriches your garden’s ecosystem. Continue reading "Lessons With the Leaves"
“Fire, good!” That’s what the caveman said in a television advertisement for a local home fireplace installation company many years ago, but I’m sure humans had that same thought a couple millennia earlier. I love to sit by a nice warm fire on a cold winter night. I also have a passion for natives, so I decided to combine these two things in my coursework […] Continue reading "Burning with a Native Passion"
Climate change is reshaping our landscapes and threatening the plants and wildlife we depend on. Nearly half of U.S. bird species may be imperiled by century’s end, and biodiversity loss is accelerating. But there is hope: diverse, native plantings can build resilience, sustain pollinators and birds, and help mitigate the effects of a shifting climate. Continue reading "Dealing with Climate Change in Our Landscapes"