Upcoming Events

Garden lovers from across the region will gather in Jonesborough for the 30th Annual Garden Tour & Tea on Saturday, June 6.  This self-guided walking tour through Tennessee’s Oldest Town offers a rare glimpse into some of the area’s most stunning gardens.

The Garden Tour runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a tea party from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.  The Marketplace Vendors will be set up at the International Storytelling Center Plaza and the Jonesborough Visitors Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring a variety of garden-inspired items, including yard art, plants, tools, handcrafted goods, and garden-style jewelry.  Tickets can be purchased online at jonesborough.com/tickets or by calling 423.753.1010. 

The Wild Ones Appalachian Highlands Chapter will host an Information Table at the Marketplace from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  We need volunteers to provide information to visitors about the value of native plants and to promote the Chapter. 

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

Details 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.

Details 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.

Details coming soon!