Chapters in Tennessee

Join us for a hike to Big Possum Creek bluffs to see peak blooms of thousands of blooming trout lily (Erythronium americanum), shooting stars (Primula meadia) and Carey's saxifrage (Micranthes careyana), plus several other early wildflowers.  

It is an easy trail, but moderate difficulty with two significant elevation changes when coupled with almost 3.5 miles of trail.

Registration is now full!  Email [email protected] if you'd like to be wait listed for any cancellations.

The symposium is sold out. A link to the YouTube recording of this event will be on this page when it becomes available.

We invite everyone who has ever helped and/or is interested in helping make the TN Valley chapter of Wild Ones a success by volunteering their time, money and/or expertise!

We will have a light lunch and discuss upcoming volunteer needs and opportunities, answer volunteering questions, break down and explain Certificate in Native Plants volunteer requirements, and how you can help engage the wider Tennessee Valley in native plant and conservation efforts.

No matter your plant knowledge level, there is a volunteer opportunity for YOU with our chapter!

We will also have a native plant nursery tour!

If you have any questions, or can not make it, but want to help, please reach out to

[email protected] 
or
[email protected] 

Paul Prill, chapter secretary, will be our speaker for this meeting. His topic will be

Common Lawn Weeds of Middle Tennessee

A little rain and my plants are showing up. Also the chickweed, speedwell, and cleavers are now mocking me. Tonight we will try to get to the root of what weeds are, what they tell about our soil, and what we should do about them. 

Paul is a retired professor and active community member in Nashville, TN. Paul is a Master Gardner of Davidson County, holds a Certificate in Native Plants from the Wild Ones Tennessee Valley Chapter, and is a certified Tennessee Naturalist. His home is certified wildlife habitat that boasts over 100 native species. His efforts have been showcased on several garden tours including an episode of  the public television show Volunteer Gardener. 

We will continue with our Freebie/Swap Table of native plants, seeds, and related items.

Everyone is welcome!

Zoom Link

Register here for this seminar. ​ ​This event will be in-person and simulcast live via Zoom. Refreshments will be provided to those attending in-person! 

They say 'Know thine enemy' - and this could not be more true if you want to defeat Bermuda grass! Wild Ones Board Member Regina Santore will share methods for eradicating Bermuda grass in your yard, based on the season.

Adam Datillo of the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation will present on a new, devastating threat to our local area - invasive Cogongrass. You will learn how to spot Cogongrass and eradicate it before it can take hold in our area.

This could very possibly be the most useful seminar you will ever attend!  Learn the secrets of these tenacious grasses and how to prepare your yard so your beneficial native plants will thrive!

From the Desk of Adam Datillo: 

Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) is one of the worst weeds in the world. Until recently, this invasive plant species native to Asia has been restricted to the deep south where it is well established and wreaks havoc on natural ecosystems, wildlife, forestry, and agriculture. In the last few years, cogongrass has been documented at multiple sites in Tennessee. Join us for an in-depth and fun journey where we’ll learn what’s at risk, how to identify cogongrass, to whom to report a possible infestation, and how we’re going to work collectively to stop this species before it becomes well established here in Tennessee.

Adam Dattilo is a professional botanist and ecologist with over 20 years’ experience working to better understand and protect the flora of the Southeastern United States.  Currently he serves as the vegetation ecologist within the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, where he works to protect biodiversity across Tennessee by documenting natural plant communities, facilitating applied research, and working with partners to move the needle on conservation. He lives in Knoxville Tennessee with his wife Clare, daughters Annabel and Fern, and two dogs Willow and Nikki.  He loves to garden (both vegetables and native plants!), stay in shape, and get together with friends.  Maybe one day he’ll be better at playing guitar and speaking Spanish.