Chapters in Virginia

Wild Ones Greater Richmond Chapter will host Ethan Skuches, who will present on some fascinating research about understanding, monitoring, and adapting to the shifting of species’ ranges in response to climate change. Ethan's doctoral research centers around Nyssa sylvatica (Black Tupelo/Blackgum)--a native tree with a wide range (from Canada to Florida) and that is increasingly popular in urban and suburban plantings because of its tolerance for compacted urban soils, periodic flooding, and temporary drought conditions.

The NYSSA Project (Navigating the Yearly Shifting of Species’ Areas) asks questions about assisted migration like "How far can we move facultative species? Do different populations encode differing resiliencies?" Using blackgum as a proxy for other facultative tree species, the research investigates the tree's adaptive capacity to respond to rapid environmental change. The project also includes opportunities for guided participation and contributions by citizen scientists!

Join us during Richmond Tree week to learn more about a very special native tree and how it can help us prepare for the future.

Doug Tallamy will be speaking in person on the topic  “A Guide to Restoring the Little Things that Run the World”.  Vendors will be in the lobby beginning at 6:00 pm. The program begins at 7:00 pm. 

Do you want to see more birds, wildlife and pollinators in your landscape?  Discover how native plants support a diverse ecosystem and why they are a good choice for your future plantings.

 Our speaker for this program is Keala (kay - ah - la) Timko, whose experience spans:

·        Gardening on two continents, four countries, and eight states

·        Specialties: Ecological Restoration, Sustainability, Native Plants, Insects and Food Webs

·        18-year Cooperative Extension Master Gardener 

·        Harrison Fellow of the Historic Landscape Institute of Monticello and UVA  

·        Moved to Rockingham County, VA in 2013

·        Husband, Dave, and Keala designed and built their net-zero home, while attempting to eradicate invasive plant species and to ecologically restore their 9+ acres with native plants.

·        Enjoys sharing horticulture knowledge and gardening experiences 

We're giving away and trading native plant seeds! If you have any to share, please bring them in a container labeled with both the Latin and the Common name, including cultivar if any.  We hope to have plenty for people to take home multiple varieties.

Note that we will be meeting in the Lower Level Community room. Enter the lower door on the left of the parking lot, closest to Grandin Avenue.

And come to our program on starting native plants from seed on January 14! See our  event calendar for more information.

Annual Chapter Meeting with State of the Chapter Report, Year-end review, potluck and raffle! Please bring a dish to share, and please bring your own plate/cup/utensils to keep down on the waste.