Events

VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE - We are offering a virtual option this year. All speakers will be live-streamed. Registration deadline January 25.
IN-PERSON ATTENANCE - All attendees will be seated at round tables. All sessions will be presented in the one large room, with exhibitors placed around the perimeter. Copies of the brochure can be downloaded from this website. Registration deadline January 11.

Meet other members for snacks and beverages as we update you on our 2022 accomplishments and plans for 2023. Afterwards, Shannon Davis-Foust, Chapter
President, will present, From Mowing to Growing: Putting Society on the Path to Ecoliteracy. While many realize the importance of growing native landscapes, the social norm of mowing lawn for landscape beautification persists.  Join us for an afternoon of discussion and inspiration on how we can gently remind society of the many benefits of native landscapes. We will cover both educational and communication strategies.

This year, at the Toward Harmony with Nature Conference, we had great conversations sharing personal experiences and plans for the coming year. Let's continue the conversation on March 18 while we introduce to the chapter board members and get to know each other.

With Spring advancing rapidly, we will continue to share successes and oopses, dreams, and questions with our members at this casual meeting.  This is a fine chance to talk native landscaping with like-minded folks.  Questions might include:  prescribed burns, shade planting, water/runoff conservation, wildlife habitat. and sharing love of natives with our "straight" neighbors.

Your plant sale order form should arrive this coming week, so bring it along to promote questions and get inspired for the coming growing season.  There will be a lot of (free) expertise around.  

There will be yummy and somewhat healthy treats offered. It is the day after St. Pat's Day so we'll go easy on the green colors.

Instructor: Danielle Bell

Format: In person

Dates/Times: March 25th 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.

Instructor: Randy Powers

Format: In person

Dates/Times: April 8th 9am-3:30pm

Location: UW Oshkosh Campus

Core Course (6 hours)

Description: The first half of this course will discuss the nine basic essentials to starting a native planting; including an understanding of native plants, how to determine habitat, site preparation, planting, and maintenance. The second half of the course outlines the basic concepts for identifying weed problems, prioritizing weed species and resolving weed issues in a new or existing prairie. Learn how to differentiate between a weedy plant species and an invasive plant species and how to determine the need to take immediate action for one weed problem over another. This course will also go over different methods for controlling weeds through mechanical, chemical and burn management options.

Instructor: David Langner

Format: In person

Dates/Times: May 6th, July 15th, September 23rd 10am-12pm 2023

Location: Spring - 1000 Islands Environmental Center, Summer - Kaukauna (address coming soon), and fall location TBD

Elective (6 hours)

Description:  This 3 part course will teach you about edible plants that are native and invasive to Wisconsin. We will cover identification of these plants, including toxic plants that can be confused with these plants, where to find these plants, and many way that you can use these edible and otherwise useful plants.  

Take a naturalist-led walk to search for spring ephemerals at Tellocks Woods State Natural Area in Waupaca County, southwest of Clintonville. Enjoy the beauty of these springblooming native plants, which take advantage of early
season sunlight before the tree canopy leafs out. Our group leader is Mike Hibbard, director of Mosquito Hill Nature Center. He’ll share tips for plant identification; bring your field guide to follow along. We’ll meet at the parking area located on Shady Lane Road. Contact us for assistance with directions.

https://foxvalleyarea.wildones.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/02/2023Trail-HALF-SHEET-OL.pdf

Pre-order your plants for the best choice of grasses, ferns, forbs, sedges, vines,
trees, and shrubs. The order form will be available February 2023. Deadline
to place your order is March 31. Download an order form from foxvalleyarea.wildones.org.

Instructor: Randy Powers 

Format: In person 

Date/Time: Saturday, May 20th, 9am-1:30pm (please bring a packed lunch) 

Location: Ledgeview Nature Center 

Elective (4 hours) 

We take a look at the most common butterflies found in the upper Midwest, their native host plants, and nectar plants that they use. How native wildflowers and plants can be used in a garden setting, not just for adult butterflies nectaring in your backyards for brief fleeting moments, but also incorporating host plants for mating adults to carry out their life cycle. A compendium of our most common butterflies visiting our gardens here in the upper Midwest.

Identifying Bugs in the Wild

Instructor: Dr. Paul Whitaker

Format: Blended

Dates/Times: virtual Monday June 26 6:30-8:30 pm; in person Saturday July 8 12-4 pm

Location: UW Stevens Point, Schmeeckle Reserve

Elective (6 hours)

Description: The virtual sessions will cover basic entomology content, including insect body structure, life stages, life cycles, and ecology; an overview of the diversity of insects associated with land plants and introduce the insect (or photograph) collection project. Ideally, participants will spend some time between the virtual session and the in-person session to begin working on a collection.  This in person session will include demonstrations of and practice using techniques in collecting, rearing, and identifying insects. It is hoped that participants will feel better equipped to identify insects associated with plants and to understand plant-insect interactions. Weather permitting, the class will end with an insect walk in Schmeeckle Reserve on the UWSP campus.

See what's blooming at the WILD Center. All Wild Ones Fox Valley Area members' opportunity to grow our chapter in scope and service. How would you like to become more involved? Open flow of ideas are welcome.

Identifying Bugs in the Wild

Instructor: Dr. Paul Whitaker

Format: Blended

Dates/Times: virtual Monday June 26 6:30-8:30 pm; in person Saturday July 8 12-4 pm

Location: UW Stevens Point, Schmeeckle Reserve

Elective (6 hours)

Description: The virtual sessions will cover basic entomology content, including insect body structure, life stages, life cycles, and ecology; an overview of the diversity of insects associated with land plants and introduce the insect (or photograph) collection project. Ideally, participants will spend some time between the virtual session and the in-person session to begin working on a collection.  This in person session will include demonstrations of and practice using techniques in collecting, rearing, and identifying insects. It is hoped that participants will feel better equipped to identify insects associated with plants and to understand plant-insect interactions. Weather permitting, the class will end with an insect walk in Schmeeckle Reserve on the UWSP campus.

We WOFVA members are invited to join a Pop Earth event, "Find Your Connection With Nature"

WOFVA President Dr. Shannon Davis-Foust will lead a tour of the WILD Center show how we can better connect with nature.  Kid friendly with good outdoor activities and tips on how to bring nature into your everyday life.
Pre-registration encouraged.

Instructor: Shannon Davis-Foust 

Date/Time: 12 pm Thursday, July 13th to 12 pm Sunday, July 16th 

Location: Lowenwood, Land O’ Lakes, Wisconsin 

Elective (6 hrs) 

Special fee: $250 (includes lodging and meals) 

You don’t need to be an expert to teach nature! This class will cover environmental literacy and sustainability teaching methods using Wisconsin’s native ecosystems to develop a sense of place, basic science inquiry skills, and a foundation for stewardship practices. Using environmental education strategies from a variety of sources, we will be actively playing games, observing, discussing conservation ethics, exploring, drawing, nature journaling and of course relaxing. Activities can be scaled up or down to grade level and even suit college level. You will receive a Project WILD book and be certified in Project WILD upon completion of this course. Email [email protected] for more information.

Instructor: David Langner

Format: In person

Dates/Times: May 6th, July 15th, September 23rd 10am-12pm 2023

Location: Spring - 1000 Islands Environmental Center, Summer - Kaukauna (address coming soon), and fall location TBD

Elective (6 hours)

Description:  This 3 part course will teach you about edible plants that are native and invasive to Wisconsin. We will cover identification of these plants, including toxic plants that can be confused with these plants, where to find these plants, and many way that you can use these edible and otherwise useful plants.  

POSTPONED WILL BE RESCHEDULED SOON - WATCH FOR NEW DATE!
Due to heat in the 90's and poor air quality, this Thursday tour as been postponed.  Prairies are beautiful but rather short on deep shade.  That, plus the smoke from poor Canada's fires makes it wise to do this wonderful tour later this season. 

When: Thursday, July 27  | 5:30 - 7 pm

Where: N636 Rabbit Rd, Fremont (Town of Dale)

Nancy Williamson will offer a tour of her property located in the Town of Dale. A five-acre parcel surrounding the original farmhouse includes a 1/4-acre prairie planted in 1994, beds with native and non-native pollinator-friendly species, and native volunteers. The adjoining 35 acres have a mowed path around a 23-acre field planted in 1998 with prairie grasses and forbs (and now, the inevitable invasive species). A variety of habitats from wetland to dry mesic, ponds, woods, and creek support diverse wildlife. Footgear for wet conditions may be necessary. Prepare for mosquitoes in the evening.

Instructor: Jeffery Steele 

Format: In person 

Date/Time: Saturday, July 29th from 6:30pm-10:30pm 

Location: Cherokee Marsh-North Unit 

Elective (4 hours) 

Description: Celebrate the beauty, life cycles, and habitats of moths on this class through Cherokee Marsh, Dane County’s largest wetland. Learn about about our native flowers that bloom at night and the insects that pollinate them as well as tips for creating your own native “moth garden.” Afterwards, we will walk through prairies, woodlands, and sedge meadows to ultraviolet light stations and discover the hidden biodiversity of night-flying pollinators!

When: Sunday, July 30  | 5:30 - 7 pm

Where: N636 Rabbit Rd, Fremont (Town of Dale)

Nancy Williamson will offer a tour of her property located in the Town of Dale. A five-acre parcel surrounding the original farmhouse includes a 1/4-acre prairie planted in 1994, beds with native and non-native pollinator-friendly species, and native volunteers. The adjoining 35 acres have a mowed path around a 23-acre field planted in 1998 with prairie grasses and forbs (and now, the inevitable invasive species). A variety of habitats from wetland to dry mesic, ponds, woods, and creek support diverse wildlife. Footgear for wet conditions may be necessary. Prepare for mosquitoes in the evening.

Instructor: Dr. Paul Whitaker 

Format: Blended 2-part class 

Dates/Times: virtual Monday Aug 14th 6:30-8:30 pm and in person Saturday Aug 19th 12-4 pm 

Location: UW Stevens Point 

Core Course (6 hours) 

Description: This course provides a brief overview of ecosystem ecology, botany and plant physiology as it relates to native plants. Plant ecology will cover the definition of native, interdependence within native ecosystems, and formation of specialized ecosystems. Plant identification will emphasize observations of patterns for identification of Wisconsin native plants including annuals, perennials, vines, shrubs, deciduous and evergreen trees. Recommended book: Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification by Thomas J. Elpel.

Instructor: Dr. Paul Whitaker 

Format: Blended 2-part class 

Dates/Times: virtual Monday Aug 14th 6:30-8:30 pm and in person Saturday Aug 19th 12-4 pm 

Location: UW Stevens Point 

Core Course (6 hours) 

Description: This course provides a brief overview of ecosystem ecology, botany and plant physiology as it relates to native plants. Plant ecology will cover the definition of native, interdependence within native ecosystems, and formation of specialized ecosystems. Plant identification will emphasize observations of patterns for identification of Wisconsin native plants including annuals, perennials, vines, shrubs, deciduous and evergreen trees. Recommended book: Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification by Thomas J. Elpel.

Instructor: Dr. Paul Whitaker 

Format: Blended, 3-part class 

Dates/Times: Virtual Monday Sept 11 7-8 pm, virtual Monday Sept 18 7-8 pm, and in person Saturday Sept 23 12-4pm (half hour lunch on your own) 

Location: UWSP 

Core Course (6 hours) 

Description: This course will provide you with an understanding of the fundamentals of botany: basic structure of a plant; how woody and herbaceous plants differ from each other; how and why plants are the foundations of food webs; plant adaptations to different environments; and the diverse ways in which plants achieve reproduction, including often by employing animal assistants.

Instructor: Dr. Paul Whitaker 

Format: Blended, 3-part class 

Dates/Times: Virtual Monday Sept 11 7-8 pm, virtual Monday Sept 18 7-8 pm, and in person Saturday Sept 23 12-4pm (half hour lunch on your own) 

Location: UWSP 

Core Course (6 hours) 

Description: This course will provide you with an understanding of the fundamentals of botany: basic structure of a plant; how woody and herbaceous plants differ from each other; how and why plants are the foundations of food webs; plant adaptations to different environments; and the diverse ways in which plants achieve reproduction, including often by employing animal assistants.

Chapter member and former board member Joy Perry will take us walking on mowed paths through two prairies seeded in 1995 (20 acres total) with typical forbs and grasses, but now also with relentlessly spreading invasives such as reed canary grass and buckthorn. We’ll think aloud about the realities of controlling invasive species and how best to maintain native communities, whether planted or natural.

Instructor: David Langner

Format: In person

Dates/Times: May 6th, July 15th, September 23rd 10am-12pm 2023

Location: Spring - 1000 Islands Environmental Center, Summer - Town of Center (address coming soon), and Fall - Ledgeview Nature Center

Elective (6 hours)

Description:  This 3 part course will teach you about edible plants that are native and invasive to Wisconsin. We will cover identification of these plants, including toxic plants that can be confused with these plants, where to find these plants, and many way that you can use these edible and otherwise useful plants.  

Instructor: Dr. Paul Whitaker 

Format: Blended, 3-part class 

Dates/Times: Virtual Monday Sept 11 7-8 pm, virtual Monday Sept 18 7-8 pm, and in person Saturday Sept 23 12-4pm (half hour lunch on your own) 

Location: UWSP 

Core Course (6 hours) 

Description: This course will provide you with an understanding of the fundamentals of botany: basic structure of a plant; how woody and herbaceous plants differ from each other; how and why plants are the foundations of food webs; plant adaptations to different environments; and the diverse ways in which plants achieve reproduction, including often by employing animal assistants.

Join us as we dive into the invasive species mapping project taking place in Northeast Wisconsin. To confront the landscape-level impacts of invasive species, the only solution is through coordinated efforts being implemented
through partnerships with Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, Stantec, Glacierland RC&D, and others. Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Chris Acy will give updates on the multi-partner project mapping phragmites, teasel, and
Japanese knotweed.

Instructor: Dr. Jim Perry 

Format: In person 

Date/Time: Saturday, Sept 30th, 10am-3pm (1 hour lunch - bring your own) 

Location: UWO - Fox Cities 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 mind’s-on, hand’s-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 wood and fields will have a whole new perspective.

Instructor: Jeffery Steele 

Format: In person 

Date/Time: Sunday, October 1, 10am-3:30pm (half hour lunch on your own) 

Location: Pope Farm Conservancy in Middleton, WI 

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 learn techniques to collect and store 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. Students will then have the opportunity to take home their own “mini-greenhouses” of native seeds they collected to include in their home landscaping.

Postponed to Sunday!  Gottfried prairie is a hidden gem: a successful 50-acre prairie restoration adjacent to the UWO-Fond du Lac campus. Most of the species originated from the last remaining prairie remnants around Fond du Lac County. This workshop is for landowners who wish to collect prairie wildflower and grass seed for planting on their own property. 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 and led by Margie Winter and Shannon Davis-Foust. 

Instructor: Emma Neuman 

Format: In person 

Date/Time: Saturday, Oct 21, 9am-4pm (1 hour lunch on your own) 

Location: Heckrodt Wetland Reserve 

Elective (6 hours) 

Description: Introduction to terrestrial invasive species, including what they are, how they affect the environment, how they are spread, and understanding WI NR 40 rule. We would then learn common invasive species of Wisconsin followed by a hike around Heckrodt to see a handful of invasive species as well as see if students can point some out. Then 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 to go over what making a plan would look like. Finally, going outside to do some service learning and work on whatever seasonal species is available.

This event has been canceled due to rain.

Plan on helping eradicate the ever-present buckthorn and honeysuckle from the WILD Center grounds. October is the prime time to tackle buckthorn since it is the last to lose its leaves before winter. Coffee and snacks will be provided by the FVA chapter, so please let us know if you have a couple hours to help that day. Bring your gloves and favorite buckthornbusting tools. The WILD Center also has a few hand tools.

Dates/Times: October 28th 9am-3:30pm (half hour lunch on your own)

Location: UW Oshkosh Campus

Core Course (6 hours)

Description: The first half of this course will discuss the nine basic essentials to starting a native planting; including an understanding of native plants, how to determine habitat, site preparation, planting, and maintenance. The second half of the course outlines the basic concepts for identifying weed problems, prioritizing weed species and resolving weed issues in a new or existing prairie. Learn how to differentiate between a weedy plant species and an invasive plant species and how to determine the need to take immediate action for one weed problem over another. This course will also go over different methods for controlling weeds through mechanical, chemical and burn management options.

Instructor: Randy Powers 

Format: In person 

Date/Time: Saturday, November 11, 9am-12pm 

Location: UW Oshkosh 

Elective (3 hours) 

Learn which wildflowers in Wisconsin co-evolved with the Ruby-throated and other hummingbirds by accommodating their feeding behavior. Learn about who some of the hummingbirds’ most unusual predators are and migratory challenges that these small birds face. We will discuss how to develop your yard so that visiting hummingbirds will nest here while raising their young.

Naturalist Anita Carpenter and author of  Winnebago Audubon's Badger Tracks  nature column for forty years, is also a quilter. For 20 years, she has created original, scientifically-correct, nature-themed quilts. Tonight she will lead us on a field trip as we visit a boreal forest, desert, coral reef and so much more.

     You won't need sunscreen or insect repellent for this field trip!

Instructor: Frank Kirschling 

Date/Time: Saturday, December 2, 2023 9am-2:30pm (1/2 hour lunch) 

Location Ledgeview Nature Center 

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.