Upcoming Events

We have 7 local panelist who will be talking about how to better utilize our public green spaces and vacant lots to create native plant habitats. 

Join us for a special day at Arcadia Natives! Wild Ones members enjoy a generous 20% discount, as well as free seeds, refreshments a spectacular giveaway, free gardening advice, and more!

Please RSVP if you plan to attend Brigitte's garden tour in Canonsburg, PA. Brigitte has a beautiful established native garden and is a fantastic host. She founded "Native Plants on a Dime" Facebook group and seed/plant swap just south of Pittsburgh in Canonsburg, PA. Her beautiful gardens are worth the visit on their own, but also keep in mind that Brigitte lives ~17 min from Arcadia Natives.!

Please RSVP if you plan to attend Liz's Garden Tour in Wilkins Twp (Between Pittsburgh and Monroeville). See what can happen in just 14 months with a little determination and a lot of hyperfixation. Liz moved into her first home in May 2022, and began "gardening by chaos." She's learned a lot from trial and error, and resources like Wild Ones and native plant groups on Facebook, but knows there is A LOT to learn as a beginner! Unlike a lot of our gardeners, Liz had never gardened conventionally, and dove head first into native gardening, motivated by her deep love of birds. Native plants are for the birds!

Enjoy this "garden in progress" which includes a micro meadow, sunny native beds, native woodland edge habitat, and lots of plans for the future. Liz (and her partner Mitch) have planted more than 15 trees, including lots of Pawpaws! Her love of plants has now been expanded to permaculture style plantings, and a raised bed vegetable garden.The "after" photo below is from June... Come see how much has grown in two months!  

Join us for an invasive removal day with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy!

Details to follow.

You are invited to our Wild Ones Western Pennsylvania Area Virtual General Membership Meeting. 

Wednesday September 20th, 7:00pm
https://wildones-org.zoom.us/j/82134841603?pwd=SmoyS2xBUkwzNlJxUWlLL1Ezd3NPZz09

This is our general housekeeping meeting for the year! Please join us to hear about upcoming fall and winter educational webinars, upcoming events, chapter board voting/nomination process, and of course opportunities to get your hands dirty and volunteer with us!

This meeting will be short, but with plenty of time for sharing our summer garden joys and any questions or ideas our members have.

Thank you for you support,
Western PA Wild Ones 

Let's kick of a new season with a seasonally appropriate presentation - Leave the Leaves! Chapter Board Members Tamara O'Brien and Chris Kosin will present information, strategies, and benefits related to leaving a layer of leaf litter.https://wildones-org.zoom.us/j/88965769595?pwd=RDN5blVxcG9GRFhCZG5tZE5tdC9ZUT09

Our chapter has been invited to our very own seed harvesting and saving workshop at Ernst Seed, in Meadville, PA! This event will take place Sunday, October 8th, starting at 11am.

As many of you may know, Ernst is a leader in native seeds and habitat restoration. We were lucky to enjoy a tour at Ernst last year, and are excited to have been invited back again. 

Please sign up for this event here: Sign Up

Learn more about Ernst Seed: https://www.ernstseed.com/

Join Wild Ones Honorary Director Heather Holm as she explores the nesting habitats, life cycles, pollen collection, brood rearing, and general characteristics of some of the most common native bees in eastern North America, while highlighting the pollination of native plants and the mutualism between native plants and native bees.

When creating and managing thriving habitats for native bees, many factors such as seasonal phenology, nesting strategies, and flower preferences must be considered—and with approximately 3,600 species in North America (north of Mexico), there are many unique aspects to keep in mind when managing successful landscapes for bees. 

Zoom LinkEngaging General Audiences in the Native Plant Arena, Brandywine’s Story

October 25, 2023

Time: 7:00-8:00p

Looking for different ways to connect with native plant gardening fans spanning various levels of experience? Join Julia Steiner, Environmental Educator with Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art to learn more about the history of The Brandywine’s seed collection program and how they are finding new ways of engaging general audiences and community members. 

About Julia:

Julia, a leader in environmental education, takes her teaching beyond the walls of the classroom to serve as a resource to learners of all ages and abilities.  With extensive experience teaching in both formal and informal learning settings, her current role specializes in guiding general audiences in adapting sustainable lifestyle choices that best meet their unique needs.  Julia holds degrees in Environmental Science, Elementary Education and Special Education.  She is an avid organic gardener and lifelong learner.

About the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art:
The Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art preserves and promotes the natural and cultural connections between the area’s beautiful landscape, historic sites, and important artists. The Conservancy protects the lands and waters throughout the Brandywine Valley and other priority conservation areas, developing sustainable approaches to emerging needs and assuring preservation of majestic open spaces and protection of natural resources for generations to come. The Museum of Art presents and collects historic and contemporary works of American art, engaging and exciting visitors of all ages through an array of exhibitions and programs. The Brandywine unites the inspiring experiences of art and nature, enhancing the quality of life in its community and among its diverse audiences.

Zoom Link

Julie Travaglini of Allegheny Land Trust will present on Common Mushrooms of the Yard and Garden.

Join us for an enlightening webinar featuring authors, Neil Diboll and Hilary Cox, as they present their latest book, "The Gardener’s Guide to Prairie Plants." This comprehensive compendium is a treasure trove of knowledge for gardeners looking to incorporate native prairie plants into their landscapes. Neil and Hilary will delve into the making and application of this essential guide, sharing rich historical and ecological insights about prairie ecosystems, all while showcasing stunning images of prairie flora. 

Matrix garden design helps gardeners accurately and cohesively create a natural garden that bridges the gap between wild and overly manicured. This introduction to matrix design takes you through the basic concepts, layout, plants, and management to get your feet wet in sustainable habitat design that’s aesthetically pleasing to both people and wildlife

If you’re new to natural garden design, using layers, and creating both ecological resilience and beauty, this class is for you.

At this time, this presentation is open to Wild Ones Members of Western PA Area, Ridge and Valley, South Central PA, and South East PA chapters.