Chapters in Wisconsin

We’re hosting a special screening of The Extraordinary Caterpillar, a beautifully shot 60-minute documentary that reveals the vital, and often overlooked, role caterpillars play in our ecosystems. From blooming meadows to city parks and backyard gardens, this inspiring film celebrates the magic of nature while showing families practical ways to make a difference. Along the way, you’ll see the groundbreaking work of The Caterpillar Lab, entomologist David Wagner, and Doug Tallamy, co-founder of Homegrown National Park. Watch the trailer here: https://vimeo.com/1117213704

This event is open to friends and family of all ages. Pizza and salad will be provided. We will also be making root beer floats!

Members are warmly encouraged to attend the 5pm leadership meeting if you are interested in getting more involved, want to learn how our chapter operates, or are curious about leadership opportunities. The member meeting and discussion will follow at 6pm. We hope to see you there!

"In this webinar, author and activist Lorraine Johnson gets into the how: how to talk to neighbors who don’t get it yet, how to respond to HOA complaints or bylaw challenges, and how to build support in your community for the kind of garden that actually does something for the ecosystem. With three decades of writing and advocacy behind her, Lorraine has seen these conversations play out in every direction – and she’s full of practical, grounded advice for navigating them well.

A link to watch will be emailed to registrants and Less Lawn More Life Challenge participants.

Join via YouTube and participate in the live community chat with Lorraine and partners from the Less Lawn More Life Challenge.

Whether you’re preparing for a formal HOA review or just want to know what to say when someone asks why your yard looks like that, this session is for you. "

Pollinators after Dark 
Instructor: Jeffery Steele
Format: In person
Date/Time: Saturday, July 25, 2026, 7-11 pm
Location: Cherokee Marsh-North Unit
Elective (4 hours)

Description: Celebrate the beauty, life cycles, and habitats of moths on this class through Cherokee Marsh, Dane County’s largest wetland. Learn about about our native flowers that bloom at night and the insects that pollinate them as well as tips for creating your own native "moth garden." Afterwards, we will walk through prairies, woodlands, and sedge meadows to ultraviolet light stations and discover the hidden biodiversity of night-flying pollinators!

An email with specific details will be sent to you approximately 2-5 days before the first day of the course.

Learn more about the Wisconsin Native Plant Certification Program.

Chase Firth, Natural Resources Coordinator - DeadRiver Walking Tour.  2.2 mile hike on a narrow, sandy path.  IllinoisBeach has the only remaining beach ridge shoreline left in the state.  Some of the less common plants that can be seen on this walk are prickly pear cactus, horizontal juniper and bearberry. Not an ADA compliant event.

Native Plant Ecology and Identification
Instructor: Dr. Paul Whitaker
Format: Blended 3-part class
Dates/Times:
virtual Monday Aug 3, 7-8 pm,
virtual Monday Aug 5, 7-8 pm,
in person Saturday Aug 8, 12-4 pm
Location: UW Stevens Point
Core Course (6 hours)
Description: Native plants have a variety of fascinating and important interactions with other species. The two virtual sessions will consider interactions that benefit plant through nutrient acquisition, communication, seed dispersal, pollination, and defenses against herbivores, pathogens, and plant competitors. They’ll also introduce aspects of plant anatomy that are helpful for plant identification. The in-person session will provide hands-on study of patterns in plant structures and how these patterns support native plant identification. Recommended resources: Botany Primer, Understanding Botany for Nature’s Notebook, USA-NPN and Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification by Thomas J. Elpel.

An email with specific details will be sent to you approximately 2-5 days before the first day of the course.

Learn more about the Wisconsin Native Plant Certification Program.