Chapters in Kentucky

"We are BACK, baby!"

Join KYOVA Tri-state Wild Ones as we reunite this Friday at 6:00PM at Eridanus Brewing in Russell, KY. We'll be mostly catching up over craft herbal teas and showing off seeds of the native plants of our river valley you can sow in late winter for cool wildlife to show up in your landscape in July. Please feel free to bring seeds or cuttings to gab about and swap like Pokémon cards!

Strategic planning will also be happening, but don't worry--all are welcome to join us, members or not!

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This is a recurring monthly meeting and low-pressure seed/cutting swap, taking place on the third Friday of each month at 6:00PM at Eridanus Brewing through the end of 2026. We are not facilitating plant sales, hikes, or gardening demonstrations during these meetings. Any changes or additional events will be shared to our socials and kyovatristate.wildones.org!

Calling all citizen scientists! Join us April 24–27 as Bowling Green and the surrounding counties in South Central Kentucky participate in the City Nature Challenge, one of the largest community-science events in the world. Your participation will contribute to local and global science on iNaturalist.

How the challenge works:
1. Download iNaturalist: Visit inaturalist.org to download the free app, available for iOS and Android devices.

2. Explore Nature: From April 24-27, take photos of WILD plants, animals, and fungi in South Central Kentucky (cultivated plants and domestic animals do not count).

3. Upload Observations: Use the iNaturalist app to take or upload photos. Photos may be uploaded on a computer by visiting inaturalist.org.

4. Participate Locally: Observations made in Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Simpson, and Warren counties will automatically be added to the Bowling Green and South Central Kentucky CNC project. Track regional results at bit.ly/CNCBGKY26.

The Bowling Green and South Central Kentucky City Nature Challenge is organized by the Wild Ones Southern Kentucky Chapter in partnership with Lost River Cave, Warren County Public Library, and the WKU Ecology and Conservation Club.

Would you or your organization like to be involved in the City Nature Challenge? Reach out to [email protected] to learn more about the organizing committee. If you’re aware of local nature events, please share the details and we’ll add them to our list.

Entrance donation to event: $10.00/person; Cash or Check.
You do not have to be a Wild Ones member to participate.

Bring the native plants you have in your garden that you would like to swap with fellow gardeners to this fun event! Bring one or more native plants (e.g., trees, shrubs, flowering perennials, ferns, grasses). Acceptable non-natives would include naturalized plants and herbs. Bring plants in clean pots, not bags or buckets! Please pot your plants at least 2 weeks in advance for good root development.

Labels should include common name, scientific name, light needs (e.g., sun, shade, sun/pt shade), and water requirements (e.g., wet, medium, dry). Other info could include height, bloom time, color.
Wild Ones will supply 8 x 1” craft sticks at the April meeting. Avery mailing labels work well to mount on this craft stick. Sample label writing:
beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis, sun, dry/med, 3 ft, spring, white
beardtongue, Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’, sun, dry/med, 2 ft; spring, pink

Silent Auction: Each item will state its value and minimum bid. Further bids will be in $10 increments. Participants add their name and bid. Yes, you can rebid at any point. Winners must be present to claim their prize and pay the donation bid.

You are welcome to bring refreshments to this event. No alcohol allowed. See you there!

Join us for our annual Spring Native Plant Sale at the Community Farmers Market on Saturday, May 9, 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 grants for local organizations' community gardens and participating in educating community members about native plants.

Our friends from Ironweed Nursery and Pennyrile Botanics will also have native plants for purchase. Don't miss this opportunity to find all of your spring planting needs! 

Please note, the farmers market opens promptly at 8 a.m. No early-bird shopping, please. 

Admission ticket donation to all gardens: $10.00 or more/person; Cash or Check.
Tickets can be purchased at each of the garden homes locations, and at Wild Ones meetings.
Open to the public. No pets. No strollers. Tour the gardens at your own risk.

HOME GARDENS

Ann Witherington, 2004 Lampton Circle, Lexington 40514
Our garden wraps around the house and extends down to the South Elkhorn. Our garden’s sun and shade beds feature about 200 species of perennials, 75% native. All are botanically labeled.

Beate Popkin, 124 Idle Hour Drive, Lexington 40520
Our front and back gardens grace an older neighborhood. There are mature trees, shrubs and perennials, mostly native, interspersed with garden ornaments. Feel free to wander along the paths.

Ann Farrer, 2148 Ami Lane, Lexington 40516
My 3-acre plot features sun, shade, vegetable, prairie, woodland and orchard areas. Native plantings are 3-years old due to invasive removal. A bamboo stand was turned into a rain garden. Be willing to walk through a 25-year old work in progress.

Beth Blum Spiker, 2305 Cravat Pass, Lexington 40511
Over 5 years, we planted a sanctuary for ourselves & wildlife. Professional hardscaping came first. Plants are filling in. A historic stone wall bounds the back garden.

Debra Shockley, 128 S. Winter Street, Midway 40347
Our entire yard includes native plants in landscaping beds. There are also raised beds for vegetables, a pond and a rain garden.

PUBLIC GARDENS

Waverly Park, 4244 Southmoor Park, Lexington 40514
60-foot long all native garden with plant labels

Wellington Park, 565 Wellington Way, Lexington 40503
Wild Ones Lexington Pollinator Garden

Wild Birds Unlimited, 152 N. Locust Hill Drive, Lexington 40509
Bird and Pollinator Friendly Garden

Click to see map of locations