Events

Native Plant Ecology and Identification
Instructor: Dr. Paul Whitaker
Format: Blended 3-part class
Dates/Times: virtual Monday Aug 4, 7-8 pm, virtual Monday Aug 11, 7-8 pm, and in person Saturday Aug 16, 12-4 pm
Location: UW Stevens Point
Core Course (6 hours)
Description: Native plants have a variety of fascinating and important interactions with other species. The two virtual sessions will consider interactions that benefit plant through nutrient acquisition, communication, seed dispersal, pollination, and defenses against herbivores, pathogens, and plant competitors. They’ll also introduce aspects of plant anatomy that are helpful for plant identification. The in-person session will provide hands-on study of patterns in plant structures and how these patterns support native plant identification. Recommended resources: Botany Primer, Understanding Botany for Nature’s Notebook, USA-NPN and Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification by Thomas J. Elpel.

Join us for the Fox Property Tour

We’ll take an informal tour of a 15-acre property managed by owner Charlie Fox since 1992. This former ag area has had 1000 trees planted and we’ll see a variety of prime prairie and wetland plants too, including, if we’re lucky, purple-fringed orchids. Location will be provided after registration closes. Registration due August 2.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with nature, learn about local flora, and meet fellow enthusiasts! Get ready to witness the stunning natural beauty of this habitat and learn about the efforts to preserve and protect it. See you there!

Location details will be emailed to registrants August 3, 2025. Please watch your email. Contact us if you do not receive directions.

Wisconsin Forests

Instructor: Frank Kirschling
Date/Time: Saturday, Aug 23, 9am-2:30pm (1/2 hour lunch) location: Calumet Co. Park
Elective (5 hours)
Description: This course will cover the identification of most native tree species found throughout Wisconsin. We will discuss different forest types in Wisconsin with their representative tree, shrub and herbaceous species. Basic forestry concepts will be covered and will include restoration ideas for different forest types in Wisconsin. Weather permitting, this course will include field activities.

Back to the Wisconsin Native Plant Certification homepage.

An email with specific details will be sent to you approximately 2-5 days before the course.

Learn more about the Wisconsin Native Plant Certification Program.

A Look at Native Plant Form and Function
Instructor: Dr. Paul Whitaker
Format: Blended, 3-part class
Dates/Times: Virtual Monday Sept 8, 7-8 pm, virtual Monday Sept 15, 7-8 pm, and in person Saturday Sept 20, 12-4 pm
Location: UWSP (classroom location will be emailed to you)
Core Course (6 hours)
Description: A plant’s structure is intimately intertwined with its functions, including photosynthesis, water movement, absorption and cycling of nutrients, growth, and reproduction. The two virtual sessions will present an overview of the basic structure of roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds and the roles of these organs in essential plant functions. Our in-person session will consist entirely of hands-on study of plant structures, emphasizing that the diverse forms of each organ are just variations of a basic structure that has important jobs to do. Recommended resource: Botany Primer, Understanding Botany for Nature’s Notebook, USA-NPN.

An email with specific details will be sent to you approximately 2-5 days before the first day of the course.

Exploring the Fungal World
Instructor: Dr. Jim Perry
Format: In person
Date/Time:  Saturday, Sept 27, 2025, 10am-3pm (1 hour lunch – bring your own)
Location: UWO – Oshkosh campus
Elective (4 hours)
The diversity and beauty of fungi are astounding, with some forms obvious to the casual observer and others not. Likely the single largest living organism alive today is a fungus. Come explore and marvel at a few of the 1.5 million species that occupy the mycological fancy. This minds-on, hands-on short course is designed to acquaint you with this diversity and provide an appreciation of the critical ecological role fungi play in the native plant community. You’ll gain insight into the hidden world of mycorrhizae, the threads that serve as critical nutritional conduits and communication pathways between plants. When we’re finished, your walks in the woods and fields will have a whole new perspective.

This event will be held in October. Specifics about date and location will be released in September. 

Expand your relationship with nature by looking  for matching leaves of similar size, shape, and color  to add to a mosaic the group creates- laying leaves/ berries/cones/stones/etc. in a pattern on the  ground.  Some basic plant identification will be  shared, but the approach is one of art therapy - noticing, observing, sensing, feeling and creating.  Our facilitator is Janelle Jentz.

The Prairie in Seed

Instructor: Connie Ramthun
Format: In person
Date/Time: Sunday, Oct 12, 2025, 9am-2:30pm (half hour lunch on your own.)
Location: Birchwood Nature Preserve (Connie’s home, nursery and prairies)
Elective (5 hours.)
Description: The fall is great time to experience the prairie in its final beauty. This
course will serve as an introduction to identifying seed-bearing prairie plants.
Students will tour a restored prairie and native plant nursery to learn techniques for
collecting and storing seeds from various species. Those that attend will also learn
from a restoration expert how to break native seed dormancy and grow their own
native plants. Participants will be given samples of the seeds that we collect and
clean to use in their home landscaping. Connie will gladly address your natural
landscaping questions.

Back to the Wisconsin Native Plant Certification homepage.

An email with specific details will be sent to you approximately 2-5 days before the course.

Learn more about the Wisconsin Native Plant Certification Program.

Terrestrial Invasive Species Management
Instructor: Emma Neuman
Format: In person
Date/Time: Saturday, Oct 18, 9am-4pm (1 hour lunch on your own)
Location: Heckrodt Wetland Reserve
Elective (6 hours)
Description: This course begins with an introduction to terrestrial invasive species, including what they are, how they affect the environment, how they are spread, and an exploration of the Wisconsin NR 40 regulation. We will learn about common invasive species of Wisconsin followed by a hike around Heckrodt to see a handful of invasive species and practice identifying them. We will use a combination of inside and outside learning to understand most of the control methods that are possible and which is best for different situations. Returning to the classroom, we’ll go over devising an effective management plan.

An email with specific details will be sent to you approximately 2-5 days before the course.

Join us for Seed Collecting Workshop at Gottfried Prairie!

Come join us at 400 University Dr for a hands-on Seed Collecting Workshop where you can learn all about gathering and preserving native plant seeds. Gottfried prairie is a hidden gem: a successful 50-acre prairie restoration adjacent to the UWOFond du Lac campus. Most of the species originated from the last remaining prairie remnants around Fond du Lac County. Bring small paper bags, small snips, light gloves, and a sharpie marker. A limited number of supplies will be available. This is a free event sponsored by Gottfried Prairie & Arboretum and Wild Ones Fox Valley Area Chapter. This event is perfect for nature enthusiasts and gardeners looking to expand their knowledge. Our expert instructors will guide you through the process and share tips on how to identify different seeds.

(if needed, the rain date is October 19, 2025)

Creating a Native Plant Oasis Design Plan 
Instructor: Danielle Bell
Format: In person
Date/Time: Saturday, Nov 15, 9am-3:30pm (half hour lunch on your own)
Location: Mequon Nature Preserve
Elective (6 hours)
Description: To combat the effects of climate change and pollinator decline, we need to incorporate native plants into our home and business landscapes. There is a wide palate of native plants that are capable of handling tough urban environments and provide essential ecological roles. This class will teach students how to understand microclimates of a site and how to properly select the correct native plants for those areas. We will learn which plants provide habitat requirements for specialist insects as well as those that fill large niches to benefit many species from insects to mammals. A portion of the class will be held outside for students to see structure of plants in their natural environment.

An email with specific details will be sent to you approximately 2-5 days before the course.

Come join us for the annual partner meeting with Audobon held at the Evergreen Retirement Community building in Oshkosh, WI. The social begins at 6:30PM and the program begins at 7:30PM. 

See you there!

Join us for our Members and Friends Holiday Gathering!

Take a break from holiday planning and join us for an afternoon seed and cookie exchange. A variety of prairie seeds will be available from our seed collecting workshop in October. And, if you care to, feel free to bring a small plate of cookies to share with others. Beverages will be provided. This event is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow members and enthusiasts to share ideas, knowledge, and recipes. We can't wait to see you there!