Chapters in Tennessee

REGISTER HERE: https://smokymountains.wildones.org/march-7-2026-weed-wrangle/

Join us for an official Weed Wrangle to protect sensitive spring ephemeral wildflowers! Weed Wrangles are a statewide effort to eradicate invasive plants in our shared spaces—volunteers get a cool pair of Weed Wrangle™ gloves! 

What to Expect:
Wild Ones will have staff on hand to assist in identifying invasive plants. This is a “rain or shine” event, unless there are severe storms predicted (if so, we will notify you.) 

Dress: Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing that you don't mind getting dirty. 

Refreshments: Wild Ones will provide sustenance to keep our volunteers energized and hydrated throughout the event. 

Equipment:
Tools will be provided, but if you have personal tools you prefer, please label them well and feel free to bring them.

Location:

Dean’s Woods (also known as the Deanbrook Nature Area) is a parcel of land owned by the University of Tennessee. It consists of roughly 20 acres and is situated along Woodson Drive in South Knoxville. Plants that thrive on the site include Canada Violet, Celandine Poppy, Columbine, Dutchman’s Breeches, Golden Seal, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Shortia, Spring Beauty, Squirrel Corn, Virginia Bluebells, and Yellowroot. By removing invasive and unwanted plants, these native wildflowers are given an opportunity to grow without aggressive competition alongside the trails.

Parking: 

Street parking along Germantown Ln. (dead-end road).

Join us to hear Barbara Johnson, member of the Chattanooga Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society, Vice President for Programs speak on the connection of plants and the timing of bird migration. 

How can we lay the best botanical table for the birds coming, going, and raising families here in Eastern Tennessee? Migrating and nesting birds have always relied on abundant fuel high in fat and protein to navigate the challenges of weather, geography, and competition. They must also find species-specific shelter and nesting sites. Add to those challenges diminishing habitat, invasive plants, climate change and human-built dangers. How can we help? As citizens and landowners, we can choose which plant communities to protect and implement, to best support these beautiful, necessary inhabitants of the web of life. Bring on the bugs, berries and branches! 

Barbara Johnson grew up in Kansas and lived in Maryland before retiring to Chattanooga in 2019. She studied Biology at the University of Kansas and worked as an elephant keeper, an ecological guide, an educational consultant, and a breathwork practitioner. She and her husband built a house in 2007 on the outskirts of Annapolis and landscaped two acres with native plants (with the exception of a few Korean viburnum!)  She began birding as a college student in the Flint Hills of Kansas. She served as president of the Maryland Ornithological Society, and now serves as the program chair for Chattanooga’s chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society.

We will continue to meet via Zoom for our chat meetings.  

These are informal and mostly unstructured meetings where anyone can ask questions related to native plants and related topics. Have a question about using native plants in your yard? Have some comments or pictures you want to share? This is the place to be.  Everyone is welcome.

The Zoom Link will open at 6:45 PM.

This course explores how native plants can transform your home landscape into a thriving habitat for birds. Participants will learn the essential elements birds need—food, water, shelter, and nesting sites—and how to provide these using regionally appropriate native plants. The class will cover plant selection, seasonal considerations, and design strategies that attract a variety of bird species while supporting local ecosystems. Perfect for homeowners, gardeners, and nature enthusiasts who want to create sustainable, bird-friendly spaces.
 

Registration Policy:  As with all CNP classes, class size is limited. To give everyone the best opportunity to participate, there is a non-refundable cancellation fee of $10, with the balance refunded if you cancel at least 7 calendar days before the class will be held. If the class is cancelled by the instructor or the CNP program, registrants will get a full refund.

If the class fills up, you may email [email protected] and request to be put on the wait list. This does not guarantee a spot will open up. 

Please remember that we are all volunteers and deserve grace and patience.

Join Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones for our 7-class series in Ecological Gardening, taught by local experts who are passionate personal and professional ecological gardeners. You can attend classes as a series, or as standalone classes. 

The second class in the series will focus on plants' sociability. At the heart of Ecological Landscaping and Gardening is considering and matching the needs of the land as well as the needs of the plants. We will never be successful in bending nature to our will, but we can be better stewards by taking into consideration the natural tendencies of the plants when deciding how and where to use them in the landscape. 

In this talk you will learn regional plant communities and behaviors and how that applies to your yard. You will also become familiar with the pioneers of ecological landscaping and gardening in the United States, and resources that can further cultivate your knowledge base when it comes to ecological gardening. 

Presenter: Lena Hall, Chair of Certificate of Native Plants, Volunteering and Public Programs - Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones