Events

Tired of the cold of winter and dreaming about summer's beauty? Do you have memories to share of your native landscape or plans for summer rejuvenation? “Zoom in” to our annual meeting to not only get a chapter update but also share with fellow members your accomplishments last summer or plans for next year. Participants will be given the opportunity to share slides via Zoom or just join to chat about their experiences and goals. We will hold biennial elections for our secretary and treasurer, cover many of our program successes in the past year and introduce our new Wisconsin Native Plant Certification program. SPECIAL TREAT: Nick Sanchez from Old Growth Forest Network will give a short presentation introducing the organization and explain a volunteering opportunity for county coordinators to search for potential forests to add to the network.

David Eagan, a freelance writer, botanist and naturalist from Richland Center, will show us ways that people harvest and prepare wild (and garden) plants for food, fiber, fire, magic, crafts, lore and more. Explore plants from Wisconsin's forests, prairies and wetlands for their many interesting and unusual uses by native peoples, wildcrafters and outdoor enthusiasts. David will also teach everyone how to make wild fiber twine to create a loop worn as a bracelet.

Take a naturalist-led tour of Mosquito Hill Nature Center in search of spring ephemerals. These perennial woodland flowering plants are abundant in early May and emerge early to take advantage of sunlight before the trees leaf out. View and learn the natural history of species such as wild ginger, trillium, bloodroot, shooting star, hepatica, Dutchman's breeches, skunk cabbage, Jack-in-the pulpit, and more.

Over the counter plant sales and pre-order pick up! 

For the past 39 years, Brian and Cheryl Root have transformed their urban yard into a pollinator, bird, and amphibian habitat through the installation of ponds surrounded by sun and shade-loving native forbs, grasses, vines, and shrubs. Come and see what has taken root at the Roots and learn about the wildlife that now frequents this urban oasis.

Tour the grounds of UWO to see what the campus is doing to enhance its sustainable and environmentally friendly goals and practices. Some initiatives include planting natives for prairie and wetland, installing bird and bat houses, and more. UWO Grounds Supervisor Lisa Mick will be our guide.

For over 35 years, Connie Ramthun and her husband, Bill Volkert, have been working to restore a series of native plant communities by managing invasive species in an oak hickory forest and wetland, along with converting former agricultural land into prairie. Over the years they have documented 675 species of plants and animals on their land. An optional tour of the nearby Spruce Lake Bog State Natural Area will be offered by Connie.

Restoring a portion of the Bohn Farms site required partnerships and years of planning and monitoring to restore a mosaic of wetland, prairie, and forest habitats that were historically part of the landscape surrounding Lake Poygan.  This presentation will discuss the site history, funding for restoration, restoration techniques, climate adaptation techniques, and partnerships associated with restoring this 80-acre portion of the former Bohn family farmstead.