Chapters in Kentucky

What is a native plant? Let's see what we can see! This Wildlings Romp is a gentle guided introduction to local native plants during a walk through one of our community's natural areas to observe the native flora and wildlife they support. Families are invited to gently explore the spillway creek embankment and tree grove to encourage observation of the world around us using the Leave No Trace principles, with examples of species they may find to help guide their observations in their event guidebook. This activity will begin with a brief introduction from our guide, pairing of our observation buddies, and will end with a picnic and circle time to share our Wildlings' observations. Participants will be encouraged to consider native species they could incorporate into their own backyards, with local native plant suppliers and plant/seed swap events provided in their event guidebook.  This event is free and open to the public. 

Events are all-weather. In case of rain/cool temperatures, please wear long pants, a rain jacket, and tall rubber boots. Bringing a towel and/or blanket is encouraged. Need to carpool? Contact Elizabeth Burge at 606-331-3943 via text if you need to make arrangements. 

Wild Ones hosts an introduction to native plants in our built environment, and a brief history of Ashland Central Park and the species planted within it. Following the introductory meeting, participants will enjoy a walk along the Central Park's paved central trail, ending at the community sensory garden. Along the way, we will identify and adopt a community native tree using the University of Kentucky Urban Forest Initiative's Adopt-a-Tree toolkit and the Seek smartphone application. Participants will be encouraged to implement these free tools in their community landscapes to learn about and inventory the native and invasive species in the world around them, and what they can do to incorporate native plants into their landscapes. This event is free and open to the public. 

All Wild Ones ID Walks are all-weather events. Please come prepared for rain/cool weather with appropriate shoes, rain jackets, umbrellas, and towels and/or blankets in case of inclement weather.

Join us for our annual Spring Native Plant Sale at the Community Farmers Market on Saturday, May 11, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. We will have a wide variety of affordable native plants and seeds grown and harvested from member gardens. All proceeds benefit the chapter and fund our efforts in the community. 

Most plant prices will be between $3 and $10. Purchases from the Spring Native Plant Sale help fund our chapter’s initiatives, including community gardens, assisting with the Lost River Cave meadow restoration, providing grants for local organizations, and participating in educating youth about native plants.

The Southern Kentucky Chapter officers hold virtual planning meetings at 7:30 pm on the third Thursday of each month. All chapter members are encouraged to send in agenda items and are welcome to attend.

Please contact us at [email protected] for the password for the READ MORE link, which has the Zoom link and passcode. 

Wild Ones is teaming up with the Kentucky Falconers Association and the Urban Forest Initiative to share with you the Hawks of Ashland's Tree Canopy! Join us as local falconer and accomplished outdoorsman, Eric Patton, introduces attendees to his hawk, Piper, and the art of falconry. Wild Ones will have prepared information about the native tree canopy of Ashland's Central Park, and the hawk population that relies upon our community's trees to survive. Attendees will be encouraged to adopt a tree or plant a tree in their own back yard to help support the wildlife who depend on them! This event is available to the public after admission to the museum; museum members will be able to attend without any associated cost.