Chapters in Tennessee

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

Wild Ones is partnering once again with Crabtree Farms for our spring reciprocity work days - and we'd love your hands in the soil with us. By volunteering, you'll help maintain the Perennial Garden that supports pollinators across our community, and in return Crabtree generously provides us the use of the Evelyn Center for our 2026 Annual Meeting and Holiday Social. Volunteer hours count towards Certificate in Native Plants (CNP) “hands in the dirt” time. 

Experience one of Knoxville's most impressive Spring wildflower displays on this guided tour!

Dr. Amanda Benoit of UT Knoxville's Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Department will give a FREE guided tour of this amazing natural assemblage of native East Tennessee spring ephemeral woodland wildflowers. Bring something to write on, so you can write down the name of each of the flowers you're sure to want to photograph! Register now, space is limited.

Parking: 

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

REGISTER HERE: https://smokymountains.wildones.org/march-21-2026-wildflower-walk-at-deans-woods/

Native plants have been used for their medicinal properties for 1000’s of years.  Casie Martinez will share her knowledge of native plants that are easy to find in this area.  She will describe when to use the plants and how to prepare them.  Casie is a member of both the Washington County Master Gardeners and the Wild Ones Appalachian Highlands chapter; both organizations are sponsoring this event.

Seed blocking helps reduce plastic waste and encourages strong root development, making it an eco-friendly and effective way to start seeds.  Participants will use the soil block makers to press soil into blocks, then plant their chosen seeds in each block. Afterward, they can take their blocks home and care for their seedlings until they're ready to transplant into their gardens.

Space will be limited, so please note that registration is required by March 8, 2026. Registration is open now - email Casie Martinez ([email protected])  to register. You will be notified if the class is full.