Events

SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2024 *
Dave Crawford Gardens in St Paul
Limited Space | Registration Opens July 9
1:00 to 2:00 pm | Guided tour for 10 people walking the Buffalo Grass pathways
2:00 to 3:00 pm | Guided tour for 20 people along areas above and below the gardens

Dave's LEED** home and surrounding gardens overlook Lake Como. The landscape consists of four rain gardens planted in 2020 and a large lawn-replacement garden planted in 2022. The plantings are 95% native, with a pollinator value preference, and are landscaped to retain or slow-flow precipitation run-off. Plants include a mix of dry prairie, shade-tolerant, and moisture-tolerant species. Pollinator species diversity is documented, and has shown an increase each year since installations.

Dave is a retired career Naturalist for the MN Department if Natural Resources (1975-2009). His long experience of teaching and a passion for the natural world, has made him a reservoir of native plant habitat knowledge, that he readily and skillfully shares. He currently volunteers as a Naturalist Mentor.

**Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a green building certification program used worldwide.

*In the event of adverse weather conditions, tours will be rescheduled for the following day.

SATURDAY, JULY 27, 2024 *
Cass Markovich Gardens in Northeast Minneapolis
1:00 to 3:00 pm | Open to Public | Registration Opens July 9

Cass Markovich and her husband, Chuck, moved into their corner lot home in Northeast Minneapolis in 2018. Having been a rental property for years, there were no gardens and a lot of Creeping Charlie. As a textile artist, Cass needed beauty but was not a gardener. Her first plants, mostly non-natives and cultivars, were gifts from neighbors; she also added clover to her lawn.

Shortly after she began gardening Cass learned of a native plant sale offered by Wild Ones Twin Cities, beginning the journey to learn about and create gardens for wildlife, climate resilience and beauty. Cass is a member of Elders Climate Action (ECA) and can readily relay the benefit native plants play in carbon sequestration.

The tour will encompass all of her gardens, a blend of the older gifts from neighbors and an abundance of established and newly added native plants. As a recent recipient of Lawns to Legumes grant, Cass has yet another native plant garden being added this summer.

*In the event of adverse weather conditions, tours will be rescheduled for the following day.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2024 *
Holley Wlodarczyk Gardens in East Bloomington
Noon to 3:00 pm | Wild Ones members only | Registration Opens July 9

Holley and her husband, Andrew, moved into their mid-century home in East Bloomington in 2002. In 2013 Holley discovered and joined Wild Ones, taking on various leadership roles, including organizing our Native Plant Sale for several years.

Her curiosity and intention to learn about native plants is evident in her gardens. While she says they are nothing special, simply a lot of gardens planted over times, they are a perfect example of the journey we each take as we learn about adding native plants to existing landscapes.

Holley's gardens include small rain gardens, shady and sunny plantings, bird baths and lots of pink flamingo whimsy. The meandering trails in the large yard, reveal surprising “plant rooms” around every turn. These are not formal gardens; most of them have been artful experiments to see what would grow and thrive, while providing habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.
 
*In the event of adverse weather conditions, tours will be rescheduled for the following day.

Explore how native plants can enhance biodiversity and support ecosystems in our upcoming Wild Ones national webinar, “Combating the Biodiversity Crisis with Native Plants” featuring Sarah Gray and Coralie Palmer from the Indiana Native Plant Society.

Native plants are essential for maintaining biodiversity as they provide food and shelter for a wide range of wildlife, including pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects. By incorporating native plants into your landscape, you can create a thriving ecosystem that supports local fauna and flora. These plants are well-adapted to local environmental conditions, making them more resilient to climate change and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Attendees will learn how native plants can improve soil health, enhance water retention, and contribute to a more sustainable and vibrant ecosystem.

Sara and Coralie are part of the Indiana Native Plant Society (INPS) Landscaping team, and they have collaborated on diverse projects across Indiana, including native planting schemes for schools, community gardens, the Eiteljorg Museum, and the Humane Society. Their new design for Indianapolis reflects typical sub-divisions in Indiana and considers future climate challenges, such as increased flooding and hotter, drier summers. The design features resilient, native Indiana plants that thrive in local soil conditions and contribute to the ecosystem.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from leading experts in native plants! Participants will gain practical insights into native garden designs and learn how tailored landscaping can support wildlife, promote ecological balance, and help restore natural habitats. 

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. 

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! 

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. 

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

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon!