Upcoming Events

You planted native. Your neighbor has opinions. Maybe your HOA does too. If you’ve ever felt like the hardest part of native plant gardening is the conversations, not the gardening, you’re not alone.

Wild Ones is thrilled to share this upcoming free webinar as part of the 2026 Less Lawn More Life Challenge. Join Lorraine Johnson for a practical conversation on navigating HOA rules, addressing neighbor concerns, and fostering community conversations about native plant gardening and ecological landscapes.

Most of us associate butterflies with flowers but trees play a big part in supporting butterflies and are every bit as important as flowers. An interesting example is the mourning cloak butterfly which only sparingly feeds on the nectar of flowers. Its larval food is primarily from tree species and as an adult it feeds mostly on tree sap from oaks.  

Jen Skarsaune, a nature lover, tree hugger, gardener, homesteader and Certified Tennessee Naturalist will be sharing a glimpse of the wild places at Lucky Dog Homestead in Butler, TN. She has a bachelor’s degree in Biology, was an ISA Certified Arborist and spent most of her career in vegetation management doing jobs from invasive species control to utility forestry. During this walk we will discuss our native trees and the butterflies they support. 

Participation in this event will be limited to maintain a high-quality experience for all attendees.  Register by email to:  [email protected]

The site is about an hour’s drive from Bristol.  Confirmation and directions to the walk will be provided to the registrants by email

Native plants are the foundation of habitat, but wildlife need more than food to thrive. Join ecologist and Certified Wildlife Biologist Shaun McCoshum, PhD, to explore how nesting sites, shelter, water, soil conditions, and other often-overlooked resources can transform a yard into a functioning ecosystem that supports biodiversity year-round.

Registration link coming soon.

What does it really take to turn a conventional lawn into a thriving native meadow? Join Owner & Principal, New Directions in the American Landscape (NDAL), Sara Weaner Cooper for a candid look at her family's ongoing lawn-to-meadow transformation featured in The New York Times and BBC. Drawing from three years of hands-on experience, Sara will share the methods, lessons learned, successes, and challenges of converting turfgrass into a dynamic native plant community. Participants will gain practical insights into site preparation, planting, management, and the ecological principles that guide successful meadow establishment, along with realistic expectations for how these landscapes evolve over time.

Registration link coming soon.

WOAH members are invited to come stroll through the Olson meadows and enjoy the late fall blooms of the season.  Bring paper bags and clippers to gather seeds to take home and grow in your own space.

The Olsons will share what they have learned about creating meadows and updates on their 2-acre meadow prescribed burn earlier this year.

We’ll wrap up our visit with light snacks and good conversation.  It’s a wonderful chance to share ideas, learn a bit about what’s thriving, and simply enjoy time together outdoors. Please bring your favorite beverage, a snack to share, and a chair if you have one, as outdoor seating is limited.

Please register by email to [email protected] to receive the event location and directions.

The event is a family-oriented day of activities such as hikes, demonstrations, and talks. The WOAH Chapter will provide an information table describing Wild Ones and our Chapter events plus we provide activities for kids based on the weekend theme.

There will be a $2.00 parking fee.

Bats are among the most important and misunderstood wildlife in our communities. Join experts from Bat Conservation International to explore how native plants, healthy insect populations, and thoughtful landscape design can help support bats. Learn about the ecological role of bats and discover practical ways to create habitat for North America's night flyers right in your own backyard.

Registration link coming soon.

Fall is a great time to share both native plants and seeds from our gardens.  Our fall swap on Saturday, October 24th, is one of the benefits of being a Wild Ones Appalachian Highlands member and it is exclusively for native plants and seeds. If you have extra native plants or seeds to share, feel free to bring them, but participation is welcome even if you come empty-handed.  Please label each plant or seed packet with its common and scientific name, as well as its preferred growing conditions (such as sun/shade and moisture needs). Join us for a fun and educational event—expand your native garden, connect with fellow enthusiasts, and help support local biodiversity!

Following the Swap will be the potluck dinner and social hour.  Bring a dish to share, your own beverage, and reusable plate and utensils to support sustainability.  Nametags will be available for new members, please wear yours. Parking is $2.

Monarch butterflies depend on a network of habitats stretching across North America, and home landscapes can play an important role in their survival. Join experts from Monarch Joint Venture to explore the science behind monarch conservation, including the importance of milkweed, nectar resources, and regionally appropriate habitat. Learn practical ways to support monarchs through native landscaping and help sustain one of the world's most remarkable migrations.
 

Registration link coming soon.