2024 Events

Have you ever wanted to walk along the Ice Age Trail. Ever wonder how the Kettle Moraine was formed? Experience and enjoy Wisconsin’s own Ice Age National Scenic Trail!
The Ice Age Trail is one of only 11 National Scenic Trails in the country,  a 1,200 mile footpath found entirely within the state of Wisconsin. It traverses through some of the state’s most beautiful natural areas and winds through 30 counties on state, federal, county and private lands. More than 2.3 million people use the Ice Age Trail each year to walk, hike, saunter, snowshoe, and backpack! Outdoor lovers of all ages and abilities step out on the Ice Age Trail to relax, explore and enjoy all that nature has to offer.
Join a “Thousand-Miler” and other active volunteers in the Ice Age Trail Alliance for this introductory presentation. Come learn about the IAT — its history and glacial features. Learn tips and tricks for spending time on the IAT, hear about the wildly popular October Mammoth Hike Challenge, and leave with plenty of resources to have a safe and successful journey. Whether hiking or sauntering, be inspired for adventures on the Trail!

Explore how native gardening can address climate challenges in our next Wild Ones national webinar, “Cultivating Change” with author and activist Lorraine Johnson. Johnson has been researching and writing about environmental issues for three decades. Learn about the pivotal role of gardening as an act of stewardship in the face of climate and ecological challenges. Discover the profound connections between individual gardens and the broader world and learn how these green spaces can serve as catalysts for positive ecological and social change.  Join Wild Ones for a practical and insightful discussion on gardening's positive impact on the environment and our future. 

Virtual registrants will receive a link to watch the talk live as well as a link to the recording. The recording will only be available for a limited time. 

Julia Robson has over twelve years of experience working in natural-resource management. She has worked throughout the Midwest on various projects including multi-taxa biodiversity assessments, habitat restoration, environmental education and community engagement, and environmental planning. Before coming to Waukesha County Parks in April of 2018, she worked for the Urban Ecology Center and Milwaukee County Parks. In 2023, Julia was awarded the Southeastern Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium’s “Sweat Equity Award” which honors Southeastern Wisconsin citizens and organizations for their significant contribution to prevent, control or eradicate invasive species that harm our region’s lands, waters, and wetlands.

Deb McRae, former director of Wehr Nature Center, will be speaking about her journey to create a wilder yard in the heart of suburbia.  The McRae's bought their house in 1983 because they loved the yard with woods in the back and sun in the front and its infinite landscaping possibilities.  Join Deb as she shares the journey of creating a beautiful yard that is a haven for wildlife, pollinators and people. 

Registration for this event is now closed, and registrants have been emailed about attending. Please contact [email protected] if you have any issues getting in.

This will be a paid event for both in-person and remote viewing. Virtual registrants will receive a link to watch Dr. Kimmerer's talk live as well as a link to the recording. The recording will only be available for a limited time. 

Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
Ecological restoration can be understood as an act of reciprocity, in return for the gifts of the earth. This talk explores the ecological and ethical imperatives of healing the damage we have inflicted on our land and waters. We trace the evolution of restoration philosophy and practice and consider how integration of indigenous knowledge can expand our understanding of restoration from the biophysical to the biocultural. Reciprocal restoration includes not only healing the land but our relationship to land. In healing the land, we are healing ourselves.

Wild Ones is excited to cohost this event with the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh's Earth Week 2024 and the Wild Ones Fox Valley Chapter. 

Josh Kapfer, Professor and Certified Wildlife Biologist, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Joshua M. Kapfer has lived most of his life in Wisconsin. He was born in Stoughton. He earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (1999, 2002) in Biology and Aquatic Science. His master’s research focused on the survival of amphibian larvae in agricultural ponds. Josh then went on to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2007) in Ecology and Evolution. His doctoral research investigated numerous aspects of Gophersnake ecology and conservation in Sauk County. After earning his doctoral degree, Josh worked for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, NRC Environmental Consulting (now Stantec), and Elon University in North Carolina. Since 2011, Josh has been with the Biology Department at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater as a professor and wildlife biologist, where he teaches various lecture and field-based ecology courses and conducts research with undergraduate students. He is broadly interested in vertebrate ecology and conservation, with over 35 peer-reviewed publications centered on amphibians, reptiles, fish, and mammals (although he will admit to a particular fondness for Wisconsin’s reptiles). 
 

The Cedarburg Bog is one of the largest and most outstanding wetlands remaining in southeastern Wisconsin.   It contains the largest expanses of cedar-tamarack swamp forest in the state, in addition to marshes, shrub-carr, swamp hardwoods and both deep and shallow bog lakes. Its most unusual feature is the presence of a “String” or “Patterned” bog, which consists of stunted cedars and tamaracks alternating with flatter, water areas dominated by sedges.

Parking , carpooling and driving directions to follow.  This is a natural area wear long sleeves and long pants.  There are mosquitos, ticks, deer flies, stinging insects, poison sumac and poison ivy present. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to hike the Lapham Prairie Path Trail in peak bloom. The area includes burr and white oak savannas and open meadows. Summer prairie flowers include prairie dock, rattlesnake master, cup plant, common evening and pale Indian primrose, lupine, and purple coneflowers.

Expert guides from the Friends of Lapham Peak will lead the tour. They’ll provide information about the restoration process as well as the many species of grasses and wildflowers that have been reintroduced.

We will be meeting at Evergreen Shelter parking lot. A Wisconsin State Park sticker or daily fee payment is required for admission. There is a picnic shelter, bathroom and water is available. Feel free to bring a picnic to enjoy before the hike! The event is open to the public. No registration is required. 

With the help of his three children, wife, and chickens, Peter Dargatz has been working to restore this degraded wetland and dying forest since acquiring this 20-acre property they affectionately named Craneview on Plainview in 2021. Various native wetland species have been replacing the reed canary grass since the restoration began. Soon, many new trees and an upland prairie will be added. Hiking shoes are recommended. A few different options will be available to explore this remnant sedge meadow. This tour will be followed by an optional trip to Peter's outdoor classroom and prairie restoration project at Woodside Elementary, just two minutes away by car. 

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. 

Marian and Ben purchased their West Allis home around 10 years ago.  Since both are horticulturists and native plant lovers, they knew the lawn and basic foundation plantings would soon be a thing of the past.  The front yard is now bursting with color and the “back 40” (square feet) has been replanted with trees and woodland plants.   The rewilding of the property has resulted in a haven for native insects, birds and mammals that rely on native plants for their survival.  

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. 

Join us at 10:00am on October 5th at Havenwoods State Forest for a planting party! The beds in front of the entrance of the nature center have been cleaned up and cleared of invasive species and are now ready for planting!  We’ll be putting in approximately 100 perennials and shrubs. You’ll also be able to get advice on site preparation and plant selection.

After the planting is finished, plan on taking a guided hike around the property. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Please RSVP so we know how many people to expect.

Don’t miss this chance to collect a wide variety of native seeds while touring a thoughtfully cultivated garden. Master Gardener and Wild Ones member, Mary Jane Swedberg, is a frequent speaker on native plants and other gardening topics. She’s excited to share her knowledge with Wild Ones Members.

The beds surrounding the Swedberg’s home each have a different focus, including: sun, shade, and wetland areas.  The plantings reflect a continuum from full native plantings to blends of native and cultivated plants.   You’’ll be able to see the plants in their optimal growing conditions which helps planning your own garden. Mary Jane will also be demonstrating winter seed sowing.

Bring envelopes along with a pen/pencil to label the seeds. Plan to collect about 20 different types seeds.  A handout with the native plants in the garden will be provided.

Please RSVP, we will be emailing the address and parking information a few days before the program.

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! 

Join us to socialize and connect with fellow native plant lovers! Refreshments will be provided. We have lots of seeds for you to take home from our October seed-collecting activity - and/or feel free to bring any you might want to share from your yard!  Bring paper lunch bags and envelopes for your seeds; we will also have some available.  There will be a short membership meeting at 10:30 to elect the 2024 Officers. There will be no meeting in December, so if we miss you, we hope you'll be able to join us in January for our winter program series.  

Native plants have an incredible ability to adapt to climate extremes, offering sustainable solutions for resilient landscapes. Join Wild Ones and the Native Plant Society of Texas to explore the power of native plants to thrive in challenging conditions.

This event features Christy Ten Eyck, founder of Ten Eyck Landscape Architects. Drawing from her latest Dallas-Fort Worth native garden design, Christy will share insights into designing low-maintenance, ecologically rich spaces that withstand intense climate fluctuations.

Neonicotinoid insecticides, commonly known as “neonics,” have become the most widely used insecticides in the U.S., leading to drastic declines in bees, pollinators, birds, and aquatic ecosystems. In this webinar, Lucas Rhoads, Senior Attorney with NRDC’s Pesticides & Pollinators Team, will share expert insights on how neonics impact our environment and pose serious risks to human health. He’ll delve into the harms associated with neonic-treated seeds, which are a major source of contamination, and explore effective policy advocacy strategies to rein in their widespread use without disrupting farmers or landscapers.