Upcoming Events

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.

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.

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.

On November 12th, 2026, we will celebrate our fifth anniversary as the Appalachian Highlands Chapter. The chapter only holds one chapter meeting a year, and the great thing is that it is an in-person meeting where we get to meet new and returning members.

There will be a short business meeting to include the State of the Chapter report, as well as election of officers for 2027. This is the time the Board will present the proposed slate of officers for the coming year. This information will be mailed out 30 days in advance of the meeting per chapter by-laws. The members can approve the slate as presented or submit nominations from the floor.

The chapter is reaching the end of the initial 3-year Strategic Plan. The Board will present a summary of our accomplishments and present our new Long-Range Plan. The members will have an opportunity to make suggestions about issues the Board should focus on for the next 3 years.

Water, coffee and light sandwiches will be provided. You are welcome to bring your favorite “small bites” and please wear your nametag. We will have name tags for new members; some unclaimed older name tags. If you have misplaced yours, please send a message to the chapter email address and we will provide a new one at the meeting.

We usually have door prizes to give away. I don’t know what those are yet. If you have anything to donate, please let us know. As the outgoing President, I would consider it a personal favor if you could join us.

The Summit building is set back from Volunteer Parkway with an access road between Eastman Credit Union and Bank of Tennessee. There is a cut-through on the Parkway divide for a left turn if you are coming from the downtown Bristol area.

The Board sincerely hopes you will make every effort to attend. We spend more time socializing and having fun than conducting business.

Zoe Evans, rewilding coach and VP of Partnerships & Programs at Wildr shares a practical, science-informed framework for evaluating a home landscape, identifying its greatest habitat opportunities, and choosing actions that support more plants, insects, birds, and other wildlife.

Registration link coming soon.

No yard required. Learn how native plants can turn patios, balconies, containers, and other small spaces into meaningful habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. This practical panel will cover plant selection, container design, seasonal care, and realistic ways to support biodiversity in limited spaces.

Registration link coming soon.

Birds depend on healthy, connected habitats for food, shelter, nesting, and migration support. Join experts from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to explore how native plants and thoughtful landscape choices can support birdlife at home. Learn how gardens, yards, and community spaces can provide the insects, seeds, berries, cover, and habitat structure birds need throughout the year.

Registration link coming soon. 

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.