Events Archive: 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Upcoming Events
September 2024
Middle Ocoee Rafting Trip to View Ruth's Golden Aster (Special Event Open to the Public)
Public Welcome Paid Event Nature Walk/Hike Lots of Physical Activity
Middle Ocoee River Trip with Adventures Unlimited to view Ruth's golden aster and many other native plants.
Click here for more information and to register. Golden Aster Paddle - Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones (tnvalleywildones.org)
Lorrie Otto Birthday Celebration and Fall Seed Swap (Free Public Program)
Public Welcome Free Event Seed/Plant Swap Public Restroom Free Public Parking
Lorrie Otto (1919 - 2010) is the founder of the natural landscaping movement and taught others to view natural landscaping as a public good rather than as a health hazard. She was the founding inspiration for Wild Ones Native Plants, Natural Landscaping. Lorrie often used the words of Chief Seattle when she spoke: “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, but rather borrow it from our descendants.”
As a passionate advocate for natural landscaping and the environment, Lorrie Otto's legacy is a testament to the power of individual action in conservation. An inspiration for the founding of Wild Ones.
Celebrating her birthday with cake and a native plant seed swap is a wonderful way to honor her memory and continue her mission of nurturing biodiversity and natural beauty in our communities. Let's gather to share native plant seeds, and the spirit of conservation that Lorrie championed throughout her remarkable life. Click the link below for details about the seed swap.
Jump Starting Your Native Plant Garden with Annuals and Groundcovers (Free Public Program)
Public Welcome Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation Public Restroom Free Public Parking
The mantra “sleep, creep and leap” is a good description for the three growing seasons it can take for your native perennials to put on a show in your garden. In the meantime, you can get off to a quicker start using native annuals and groundcovers to provide cover, color, and pollen and nectar in your new planting areas.
Sally Wencel, past President of both the Tennessee Valley Chapter and National Wild Ones, will present a variety of native annuals, ground covers, and short-lived perennials that we don't usually think of when planning new garden areas, converting to native gardens or refreshing existing plantings. You might be surprised by the options we have available in this area.
There will be a seed swap before the meeting (beginning at 5:30 p.m.) and a birthday party for Lorrie Otto, who inspired the founding of the Wild Ones.
Note new location!
Propagating Native Plants With Seeds (CNP Class)
Public Welcome Paid Event Program/Speaker Presentation Hands-On/How-To Workshop
Instructor: Henning Von Schmeling, Senior Director of Operations, Chattahoochee Nature Center
Description: Topics to be covered include seed parts, germination, seed collection and storage and post-germination handling.
This is an ELECTIVE course about propagating native plant seeds.
The class provides 4 hours toward the completion of the Certificate in Native Plants program.
You do not need to be pursuing the Certificate to enroll in this class.
The fee for the course is $40 for members/$50 for nonmembers, plus a $5 charge for supplies.
What Do I Plant? Mountain Gardens (Free "Gardening with Native Plants" Class)
Public Welcome Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom
Selection and layering of native plants is important for a thriving ecosystem in mountain gardens. Strategies for creating and managing those gardens in both sunny and woodland conditions will be discussed. Plant lists will be provided.
Speakers: Ann Brown & Nora Bernhardt
"The Beauty and Benefits of Hedgerows" with Heather McCargo
Hosted by Wild Ones NationalOnline/Virtual
Public Welcome Will be Recorded Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation
Explore the ecological and aesthetic advantages of hedges and hedgerows in our upcoming Wild Ones national webinar, “The Beauty and Benefits of Hedgerows” with Heather McCargo, founder of Wild Seed Project.
Native hedgerows are diverse plantings of woody plants from shrubs to small trees along with herbaceous groundcovers at their base. Learn how these low-maintenance and sustainable plantings of shrubs, trees, and groundcovers can enhance biodiversity, provide critical habitats for wildlife, and contribute to climate resilience. Discover practical tips for designing and implementing hedgerows in various landscapes, from farms to urban settings, and understand their role in supporting pollinators, birds, and soil health.
You will also learn about Heather McCargo and the Wild Seed Project's latest collaboration with Wild Ones on the new Native Garden Design for Portland, ME. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from a leading expert in native plant restoration and take your landscaping skills to the next level.
Landscapes in Progress (Members Only Event) Members Only
Members' gardens
Members Only Home Garden Tour Free Public Parking
Landscapes in Progress events were designed as a way for our members to learn more about native plant gardening from the experiences of other members. Like all of our gardens, these gardens are “in progress.” They do not have to be perfect, although there are always some really amazing and beautiful things to see. We have found that these garden visits are a great way to learn about a variety of native plants and the conditions in which they thrive.
Join members of the Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones for a tour of two of our members' gardens. One is on Missionary Ridge and the other in East Ridge.
You will receive directions and parking details in a follow-up email.
Members Only Hike - Catoosa Wildlife Management Area Savanna Project Members Only
Members Only Free Event Nature Walk/Hike Lots of Physical Activity
Southeastern Grasslands Institute ecologist/botanist Zach Irick will lead an educational tour of the native savanna and creekside scour grasslands. We'll view nearly every genus of the aster family in their prime. Come explore with us for a view of native grasses,fall wildflowers, shrubs and trees of the WMA which is bordered by two scenic waterways �" the Obed Wild and Scenic River and its tributary, Daddy's Creek. You'll also hear bobwhite, see migratory birds, numerous butterfly and native bee species and will come away with ideas for savanna and prairie plantings, rock garden and rain garden designs, natural growth patterns, as well as identification of many native plants that are often available for the landscape.
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Caring for Native Plant Gardens (Free "Gardening with Native Plants" Class)
Public Welcome Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking
Caring for your garden as it grows and changes over time is the best part! In this class we will discuss basics of sustainable landscape care like optimizing maintenance activities for wildlife support, and reducing air and water pollution. There are key differences between managing a native plant garden and a conventional landscape, so let's get into it.
For this class, meet in the parking area between the recycling center and the Community Fitness Center.
October 2024
Fall Native Plant Sale and New Member Welcome (Free Public Event)
Public Welcome Family Friendly Free Event Seed/Plant Sale Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking
Free and Open to the Public
Fall �" and the best time to plant many of our natives �" is just around the corner. And so the Tennessee Valley Wild Ones Fall Plant Sale!
During the sale, we'll also be honoring our newest members, along with the recent Certificate in Native Plants graduates who've worked hard to complete their coursework and volunteer hours.
So SAVE THE DATE and make plans to join us. More details are coming soon!
Identification of Native Grasses (CNP Class)
Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institiute, 175 Baylor School Rd, Chattanooga, TN, 37405 Map
Public Welcome Paid Event Program/Speaker Presentation Hands-On/How-To Workshop
Join botanist/ecologist Gary Kauffman for a hands-on native grasses workshop highlighting grass identification and grassland communities. We'll learn to use a Southern Appalachian grasses key derived from Weakley's Flora of the Southeastern U.S. and other identification tools, look at samples of common native grasses, and learn a bit about grassland communities and the wildlife they support. You should come away from the workshop able to use the key to Poaceae (grasses) groups and genera, recognize a dozen common grasses by sight, and have ample resources to hone your grass skills.
This is an ELECTIVE class for the Certificate in Native Plants. You do not need to be working toward the Certificate in Native Plants to register for this class.
$40 for Wild Ones members, $50 for non-members
Public Program (Free Public Program)
Public Welcome Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation
Information will be posted soon.
Landscapes in Progress Members Only
Members Only Home Garden Tour Public Restroom Free Public Parking
Members will give a tour of their yards describing their native plant landscapes.
"Matrix Landscape Design" with Benjamin Vogt
Hosted by Wild Ones NationalOnline/Virtual
Public Welcome Will be Recorded Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation
Learn how to use high-density plantings that replicate natural ecosystems in aesthetically pleasing designs, enhancing ecological functions while reducing maintenance efforts in our upcoming Wild One’s national webinar, “Matrix Landscape Design” with author, landscape designer, activist, and educator Benjamin Vogt.
Matrix planting is a landscape design approach that mimics natural ecosystems by closely planting and layering compatible perennials and grasses to cover the soil, provide more ecosystem services, and eliminate the need for wood mulch or aggressive weeding. Join Wild Ones for a webinar to learn how author, educator, and landscape designer Benjamin Vogt applies this approach to create stunning native gardens. Learn the principles behind this method, its ecological benefits, and practical steps to implement matrix planting in your own garden.
You will also learn about Benjamin’s latest collaboration with Wild Ones on the new Native Garden Design for Lincoln, NE. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from a leading voice in natural garden design and take your gardening skills to the next level. Register now to secure your spot!
Hike - Ochs' Gateway Trail Members Only
Members Only Free Event Nature Walk/Hike Lots of Physical Activity
Join Stephan Eselgroth for a hike at Ochs' Gateway Trail.
Details coming soon.
November 2024
Public Program
Public Welcome Program/Speaker Presentation
TBA
Chapter Annual Meeting Members Only
Joseph Glasscock Community Center
Members Only Free Event Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Drinking Fountains
Annual Member Meeting.
Details will be posted soon.
December 2024
Holiday Gathering Members Only
Members Only Family Friendly Free Event Chapter Social Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Drinking Fountains
Holiday Social Gathering.
Details will be posted soon.
Save the date!
January 2025
"San Diego, CA Native Garden Design" with Jeanine Sharkey
Hosted by Wild Ones San Diego Chapter and Wild Ones NationalOnline/Virtual
Public Welcome Will be Recorded Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation
Learn about the Wild Ones San Diego Chapter's newest demonstration garden funded in part by Monarch Joint Venture and U.S. Forest Service International Programs. You'll also hear from landscape designer Jeanine Sharkey about this newest San Diego native garden design.
More details and registration coming soon.
February 2025
"Albany, NY Native Garden Design" with Kate Brittenham
Hosted by Wild Ones Capital Region NY Chapter and Wild Ones NationalOnline/Virtual
Public Welcome Will be Recorded Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation
Learn about the Wild Ones Capital Region NY Chapter's newest demonstration garden, funded partly by Monarch Joint Venture and U.S. Forest Service International Programs. You'll also hear from landscape designer Kate Brittenham about this newest Albany NY native garden design.
More details and registration coming soon
September 2025
September Wild Ones National Webinar
Hosted by Wild Ones NationalOnline/Virtual
Public Welcome Will be Recorded Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation
Details coming soon!
October 2025
October Wild Ones National Webinar
Hosted by Wild Ones NationalOnline/Virtual
Public Welcome Will be Recorded Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation
Details coming soon!
November 2025
November Wild Ones National Webinar
Hosted by Wild Ones NationalOnline/Virtual
Public Welcome Will be Recorded Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation
Details coming soon!