Wild Ones Madison Events

Board Meeting

Board Meeting

Amy Jo Dusick of Two Ferns Native Nursery will give us an overview of WI's native bumblebee species, their life cycle and why the early spring blooming plants are integral to their survival. Discussion will also review a number of spring ephemeral species and ways to support bumblebee populations in your backyard.

Sue Scott will take us through a journey of how we can convert our back ten feet. The Back Ten Feet of any site is a starting point for converting water wasteful, boring, unproductive turf grass yards into drought tolerant, wildlife friendly, interesting and storm protective landscapes. In The Back Ten Feet, we learn that by providing a balance in our yards that mimics natural systems, insects and other bugs are kept in check naturally, and that a few plants with leaves that are chewed is nothing to get hysterical about, natives are MEANT to be eaten. In fact, wherever you live, NATIVE shrubs and trees are utilized by native butterflies as larval host plants, and spraying with pesticides puts their species’ very existence at risk.

Paul Quinlan, Conservation Resource Supervisor for the Madison Parks division, joins us to give an overview of the many research and restoration projects supported by the city and volunteers in Madison's own conservation parks.

Mariette Nowak, author of "Birdscaping in the Midwest”, will teach us how to increase the variety of birds in your yard by growing native plants offering birds their natural habitat and a yearlong smorgasbord of berries, nuts, seeds and insects. Gardeners and native plant enthusiasts can play a vital role in restoring & preserving native communities that support not only birds, but also other wildlife including butterflies, bees, and bats. Discover, too, how native plants capture carbon, reducing the devastating effects of climate change on birds, as well as we ourselves.

Another Wild Ones Garden Tour for the season! A garden that is 18 years in the making, we have a gorgeous space to show off on Madison's north side! 
 
Over 18 years, Sheila has been transforming a typical suburban yard into multiple garden spaces in sun and shade, dry and damp—an effort still in progress. Native plants include 10 tree species, 14 kinds of shrubs, at least 4 native grass species, 3 kinds of ferns, 4-5 sedge species, and at least 77 species of native wildflowers. Some large areas are almost totally filled with native plants while two beds incorporate natives with traditional garden perennials. There is also a herb garden and yes, some love-hate plants like Lily of the Valley!
 
Accessibility: The front planting is viewable from the sidewalk (corner lot), and the backyard is accessible via lawn. 
 
Tour goes from 6:00pm-8:00pm, with the formal tour at 6:30pm.

Please join us for our annual ice cream social at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center. Come meet the current officers and reunite with your fellow native plant enthusiasts! We will have information on current projects and volunteer opportunities and will be eager to hear what you would like to see from Wild Ones in the future--from presentations and programming to other projects and initiatives. 

Anastasia Leffel, participant of the Bumble Bee Brigade, will share insight into some of Wisconsin’s native bees, their habitats, and how we can help them thrive. She’ll also talk about the Bumble Bee Brigade and how you can get involved. 

Join the Madison Chapter of the Wild Ones on this one-hour guided tour of Pope Farm Conservancy's restored prairies. October is great time to experience the prairie in its final beauty. This pleasant walk will serve as an introduction to identifying seed-bearing prairie plants. Those that attend will also learn from restoration experts how to properly collect and store seeds from various species.

We’re very excited to bring back our annual fall meeting. Officer elections happen every October, so we’ll be voting for our officers then. Join us for a little fall reunion and potluck!

Potluck to start at 5:30 with the annual meeting to follow at 6:30! We will be in Bolz A of the Goodman Community Center.

Board Meeting & Native Seed Swap

Board Meeting