Upcoming Events

Pollinator and Host Plant Relationships:

Join us on January 16th at 7pm for an enlightening webinar as we delve into the fascinating world of "Pollinator and Host Plant Relationships." Nature's intricate tapestry is woven with connections between pollinators and the plants they depend on for survival. This webinar will unravel the secrets of this symbiotic dance, shedding light on the critical role these relationships play in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Zoom Link

Our Presenter:
Robert Coxe is a botanist and innkeeper. Having worked many years as an ecologist, Robert now runs a beautiful inn located in Titusville, PA. Robert serves on our Wild Ones Western Pennsylvania Area chapter board, and contributes excellent articles to the native plant community.

Learn more about the native gardens at the McMullen House here: https://www.mcmullenhouse.com/

Explore how native gardening can address climate challenges in our next Wild Ones national webinar, “Cultivating Change” with author and activist Lorraine Johnson. Johnson has been researching and writing about environmental issues for three decades. Learn about the pivotal role of gardening as an act of stewardship in the face of climate and ecological challenges. Discover the profound connections between individual gardens and the broader world and learn how these green spaces can serve as catalysts for positive ecological and social change.  Join Wild Ones for a practical and insightful discussion on gardening's positive impact on the environment and our future. 

Virtual registrants will receive a link to watch the talk live as well as a link to the recording. The recording will only be available for a limited time. 

Native Plant Garden Designs:

Mark your calendars for an evening of inspiration and horticultural wisdom! Join us on February 12 2024, at 7:00 PM for a captivating webinar on "Native Plant Garden Designs." Discover the secrets to creating stunning, sustainable landscapes that not only enhance the beauty of your surroundings but also support local ecosystems.

Presenter:

Chris Kosin is a Wild Ones Western Pennsylvania Area board member and owns Gaiascape, a local native-focused landscaping company.

Zoom Link

Half the fun of our group is the time we spend getting to know each other and sharing ideas! Join us at this winter social, where friendship and thoughts of spring will keep us warm.  

Registration is limited to active Wild Ones members.

🌿 Wild Ones Western Pennsylvania Area 2nd Annual Symposium: What Does Ecologically Responsible Land Stewardship Look Like? 🌿

Join us for an enlightening day of exploration into the realm of Ecologically Responsible Land Stewardship at the 2nd Annual Wild Ones Western Pennsylvania Area Symposium! This year's event promises to be a captivating journey into the world of sustainable practices, with a focus on native plants and their crucial role in ecological harmony.

�"� Date: 03/14/24 | Time: 5:00-8:30 PM | Venue: Frick Environmental Center

Tickets: $35 for nonmembers, $25 for Wild Ones members
Highlights of the Symposium:

🌱 Expert Panelists: Engage with local organizations' seasoned professionals as they answer the burning questions surrounding ecological land stewardship. Gain insights into the principles and practices that contribute to the well-being of our environment. Panelists include: Mark Brownlee from ArcheWild, Wil Taylor from Jennings Environmental Education Center, Chris Kubiak from Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, Jake Kristophel from Fallen Aspen Farm, Ashley Funk from Mountain Watershed Association, and John Creasy from Garfield Community Farm.

�-�️ Interactive Q&A Session: Pose your inquiries to our esteemed speakers during an interactive Q&A session. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a budding environmentalist, this is an opportunity to deepen your understanding of ecologically responsible land stewardship.

🍽️ Food and Beverage: Indulge in a delicious spread of locally sourced, delectable fare. Enjoy refreshing alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. A Few Bad Apples will join us to share their delicious and eco-conscious ciders.

🤝 Networking and Socialization: Connect with like-minded individuals, forge new friendships, and exchange ideas. The symposium provides ample time for networking, ensuring a vibrant community of individuals passionate about ecological sustainability.

🎟️ Limited Seats Available: Secure your spot today for this thought-provoking symposium. Tickets are limited, so don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of the conversation on Ecologically Responsible Land Stewardship.

Let's come together to explore, learn, and celebrate the beauty of our natural surroundings. The Wild Ones Western Pennsylvania Area Symposium is not just an event; it's a movement towards a more sustainable and harmonious future.

🌿Get your tickets today!

Registration for this event is now closed, and registrants have been emailed about attending. Please contact [email protected] if you have any issues getting in.

This will be a paid event for both in-person and remote viewing. Virtual registrants will receive a link to watch Dr. Kimmerer's talk live as well as a link to the recording. The recording will only be available for a limited time. 

Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
Ecological restoration can be understood as an act of reciprocity, in return for the gifts of the earth. This talk explores the ecological and ethical imperatives of healing the damage we have inflicted on our land and waters. We trace the evolution of restoration philosophy and practice and consider how integration of indigenous knowledge can expand our understanding of restoration from the biophysical to the biocultural. Reciprocal restoration includes not only healing the land but our relationship to land. In healing the land, we are healing ourselves.

Wild Ones is excited to cohost this event with the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh's Earth Week 2024 and the Wild Ones Fox Valley Chapter. 

Learn about native plants in the Pennsylvania/Pittsburgh area with the Western PA chapter of Wild Ones!

Tickets are $10

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/native-plants-tickets-863772224977?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join Wild Ones for a spring flower hike at Raccoon Creek State Park Wildflower Reserve, led by Chris Kosin. The 314-acre tract, originally purchased in 1962 by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, contains one of the most biodiverse and unique stands of wildflowers in Pennsylvania. More than 700 species of plants can be found along the 4.5 miles of trails, between a variety of habitats including oak-hickory forest, pine plantations, meadows, and riparian forest. Late April will provide us with beautiful native blooms like trout lily, hepatica, bluebells, phlox, larkspur, trillium, Dutchman’s breeches, and more!

Please register below to attend this walk. As you embark on this spring flower hike, ensure you are prepared for a delightful journey amidst nature’s vibrant tapestry. Bring comfortable walking shoes, and be aware there may be mud. Bring a water bottle and a light snack if you’d like. Dress in layers, as spring weather can be unpredictable. Embrace the joy of discovery and immerse yourself in the blossoming wonders of the season!

Later this month, Wild Ones members, members of the Garden Club of Allegheny County’s Native Plant Initiative, and DCNR will join forces to tidy up and install more native plants at Point State Park. Work will take place April 23rd, 24th, and 25th from 9AM to 2PM, with the greatest need being April 24th. You can commit to just a few hours, or the entire day. We are excited to work together with these great organizations, to beautify a featured public space in our city.

We hope to be able to provide 20 volunteers (each day) to this project, and we hope that you’ll consider lending a hand. Carpooling is encouraged, and information on free parking will be supplied to registered volunteers.

Point State Park will supply any gardening tools such as rakes, wheelbarrows, plant disposal bags, etc.

Please bring with you:

Proper clothing for the weather
Water bottle
A lunch (if attending on Tuesday or Thursday) see below
A hat or other sun protection
Optional items to bring include:

Gardening Gloves
Personal gardening tools
Kneepads
What to Expect:

Help spread soil and mulch throughout the park (provided by DCNR)
Plant native plants (provided by GCAC)
Various clean up tasks
Good opportunities for community building
If attending Wednesday, LUNCH! Please let us know of any dietary restrictions, as DCNR will be providing lunch. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to [email protected] and we will do our best to resolve any questions.
Please RSVP by Monday, April 15, 2024.

We hope you'll join us as we host a table for Friend's of Mellon Park's 4th Annual Arbor Day celebration. The family-friendly event will once again feature lots of FREE activities for all ages. 

The McMullen House Bed & Breakfast Garden is a native plant and butterfly garden that surrounds the house and is about a third of an acre in size.  The garden began mostly as lawn and has been planted section by section.  It is designed to host many different species of butterflies and insects and provide habitat for other animals.  Highlights include the milkweeds for monarch butterflies, violets (Viola spp.) that are planted around the house, goldenrods (Solidago spp.) for late season insects, and the moss lawn for fireflies.

Robert Coxe, one of the owners of the Bed & Breakfast, received his undergraduate degree in Plant Taxonomy and Systematics from UNC-Asheville, his Masters degree in Ecology at UNC-Charlotte, and worked on his PhD in Forest Ecology at West Virginia University. Robert has worked as a Research Scientist at the Biota of North America Program (BONAP), Ecologist at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, and as the State Ecologist of Delaware.  Robert currently has a blog about native plants and butterfly gardens at (https://shop.mcmullenhouse.com) and has a web design firm, Silphium Design LLC (https://silphiumdesign.com), that specializes in websites for environmental organizations and businesses.

This garden tour  will be followed by a 1pm Hike at Oil Creek State Park w/ WPA Botanical Society (https://www.botsocwpa.org/).

Please note the all garden tours require registration. Many of these tours will fill quickly! Preference will be given to our members, but we will leave spots open to the public whenever possible. Thank you for your support!

Location: The Plant-It Earth Greenhouse And Gardens, Blairsville, PA
Date: Sunday June 9th
Time: 10am

From the Gardener: "We have a wonderful Shade Garden Area, with unique perennials and various natives  We also have vegetable gardens and an herb garden.  Think that the gardeners will find something of interest!"

Join us for our second native plant sale!

Saturday, June 15th, 2024
9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Allegheny RiverTrail Park (Aspinwall)
285 River Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15215 Map

10% Discount to Active Wild Ones Members! Join Today

Plants - More than 30 species and 1500 individual plants! (Species List)

Food Truck - Catatouille (Non-profit & Vegan)

Bake Sale Fundraiser - homemade bread, cookies, brownies, and much more! (DF/GF Options)

Themed Raffle Baskets - Gardening, Allegheny Land Trust, Outdoors, Self Care, Sports

Vendors - Local artists, non-profits, authors, farms, and more! Complete list on our website.

Join us for our annual Wild Ones Day @ Arcadia Natives! Receive a generous 20% DISCOUNT for Wild Ones members, this day only! Wild Ones volunteers will be available to answer questions and socialize. We look forward to seeing you and to patronizing this fantastic nursery.

We suggest having your membership card ready. Simply login to the Wild Ones website, and you'll find "member ID card" on the homepage.

Not yet a member? We suggest you join NOW! https://westernpa.wildones.org/join/

However, our volunteers will be there to help you join Wild Ones and enjoy this special discount, among many other member benefits. See less

Byron & Jean Black's Farm Tour
Location: Washington, PA
Date: June 22nd
Time: 12pm

Chestnut Farm is a 90 acre historic farm that has been significantly impacted by invasive species and deer. There are ~3 miles of trails that are open to explore and range from well-groomed grass paths to recently cleared areas that are rough and in some cases steep. The farm includes a wide variety of habitat types including some magnificent oak trees, as well as black cherry, walnut, sycamore and pine stands. It also has meadows and early successional forests. 

We are working hard to restore a healthy forest (~75 acres), and large-scale pollinator meadows (~13 acres) with a focus on promoting diverse, sustainable and resilient native species. This is definitely a work in progress that will take many years to promote a sustainable landscape. Using iNaturalist, we have documented well over a thousand species on the farm.

Registration is required for all garden tours. Address and important information will be sent a few days ahead of each garden tour.

https://westernpa.wildones.org/ryan-gotts-garden-tour/

Ryan Gott’s Garden Tour

Location: Etna, PA

Date: June 1st

Time: 10am

I have been gardening with plants native to southwestern Pennsylvania since 2018. My small 0.1 acres was originally all turf and overgrowth of unkempt European roses, hostas, and bramble in 2019. I have since removed around 70% of the lawn to make space for the homes of over 160 different native plant species. Overall, at least 90% of my plants are native plants. The plants have brought back an enormous diversity of animal life to the space as the plants are the source of food, shelter, and nesting sites. The plants of course also create the organic matter building the soil and all its flora and fauna. And in return the animals spread the plant’s seeds and the fungi build the nutrition in the soil as they recycle.

I focus on a sustainably regenerative and systems-minded garden philosophy. In other words, I try to listen to these microcosm communities to discern what they would do and how they would behave naturally. They take care of themselves and each other to survive out in the wild - they certainly should be able to in a garden. You just have to know when and how to help. I try to assist the plants in achieving what they would if a person hadn’t put them in a yard. For example, I stopped removing anything from the garden. Everything is mulched in place if it falls on its own. Before that point, old stems are left to help form the perennial scaffolding that forms an important part of the architecture that supports plants and especially their heavy flowers. Just how it would be outside of a garden.

The various gardens I care for emerged out of the conditions already present. I try to limit any large-effort terraforming and instead aim to match plants to the characteristics of each site. A rain garden occupies a long low space, spanning shade to full sun. A deep shade corner has woodland ephemerals and ferns. A hot exposed site has a mix of meadow-type plants mingling around one another. Where I do get a little more experimental are places like my miniature “Pennsylvanian desert.” Rock and sand support native Eastern prickly pear cacti alongside (non-native to our corner of PA) spurge, American agave, and liveforever. My dream project in the garden is a sizeable pond with spaces designed for riparian, emergent, and open water conditions to host plants like pickerel weed, trumpet pitcher plants, and American lotus.

I also grow food for myself, not just for other animals. I’ll often grow tomatoes or other crops amongst the native plants. I recently planted juneberries and American persimmons to work towards having native fruit trees as well. I’m patiently tending to a patch of ramps started from seed in the hopes of starting to harvest in the next few years. The packed herb bed is definitely the most formal looking space among all my gardens, featuring oregano, rosemary, lavender, green onions, sage, and native wild strawberries.

My gardens are Penn State Master Gardener Pollinator-Friendly Habitat Certified, National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat, Penn State Extension Watershed-Friendly Property Certified, Audubon Society of Pennsylvania Bird-Friendly Habitat Certified (before they merged with Audubon Maryland-DC), and are a part of Homegrown National Park. I won Sustainable Garden of the Year and second place garden overall in the Shaler Garden Club’s 2023 Great Gardens Contest. I am currently pursuing Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania’s Backyard Habitat Certification.

Registration is required for all garden tours. Due to the small capacity of this tour, it is only open to Wild One's members at this time.

An email with the address, parking details, and other important information will be sent a few days ahead of the event.

Judy Mihok’s Garden Tour
Location: Moon Twp, PA
Date: Saturday July 6th
Time: 12pm

 Learn more and register here: https://westernpa.wildones.org/judy-mihoks-garden-tour/

Annette Heller, Leisha Belfiore, and Maria Badic’s Garden Tours
Location: Mars, PA
Date: Saturday July 13th
Time: 10am (We expect this tour to run ~4 hours, but will flow naturally from one garden to the next)

A local group of native plant and gardening enthusiasts has taken root in Mars, PA! This tour will follow an open house format. You may start at one of the gardens, but you will see all three! Annette and Leisha are walkable, and then just a short (~7min) drive to Maria’s Garden!

Learn more and register here: https://westernpa.wildones.org/mars-garden-tours/

Pattie Relosky’s Garden Tour
Location: Swissvale, PA
Date: Saturday, July 20th
Time: 10am

Limited space! (12 attendees)

Learn more and register here: https://westernpa.wildones.org/pattie-reloskys-garden-tour/

Brigitte Bilodeau’s Garden Tour
Location: Canonsburg, PA
Date: Saturday July 27th
Time: 10am

Learn more and register here: https://westernpa.wildones.org/brigitte-bilodeaus-garden-tour/

From Greg: "I have been gardening with native species for over 20 years, I help and enjoy consulting with clients to achieve native plantings whether a native meadow or a wetlands/riparian area.  My inspiration for native plants/plantings comes from my love of nature, providing clients and people with the appropriate tools and techniques needed to achieve the goal of a successful native planting.  This is a memorial planting or garden in remembrance of the son of a good friend who passed away after graduating college. It is 1.5 acres in size and planted by seed with all PA native plant species.  I am a professional, and this was a collaboration of stakeholders (family members & volunteers) who got this project completed.  The seed was sourced through Ernst seeds at my recommendation.  As this was an established lawn to meadow conversion, the main challenges were proper site seed bed preparation, seeding and a good bit of in season weed maintenance.  This planting does not have any certifications but is a magnet for birds, native pollinators such as bumble bees, bees, moths, and butterflies.  This is a full sun, slightly sloped mostly dry sight located in a Catholic cemetery just outside of Freeport, PA."

From Melinda: "Our 3 Acres is an Audubon Society of Western PA Certified Backyard Habitat and a Penn State Extension Watershed Friendly Property that features nearly 100 native plant species and abuts eighteen acres of local parkland in Fox Chapel Borough.

I am a volunteer with ASWP, Tree Pittsburgh, Allegheny County Parks, and Fox Chapel Borough Parks Commission.

We purchased our property as a vacant lot in 2017 and our first challenge was to identify native species of value and invasive species to manage. We identified more than 25 non-natives and made the decision to locate and construct the house, driveway and rain garden in the center of a patch of seventeen removed Tree of Heaven. We left beautiful Oaks, Eastern White Pines, Tulip Poplars, Maples, Black Cherries and many other native species untouched."

Click here to learn more!

Read about both garden's here!

Explore how native plants can enhance biodiversity and support ecosystems in our upcoming Wild Ones national webinar, “Combating the Biodiversity Crisis with Native Plants” featuring Sarah Gray and Coralie Palmer from the Indiana Native Plant Society.

Native plants are essential for maintaining biodiversity as they provide food and shelter for a wide range of wildlife, including pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects. By incorporating native plants into your landscape, you can create a thriving ecosystem that supports local fauna and flora. These plants are well-adapted to local environmental conditions, making them more resilient to climate change and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Attendees will learn how native plants can improve soil health, enhance water retention, and contribute to a more sustainable and vibrant ecosystem.

Sara and Coralie are part of the Indiana Native Plant Society (INPS) Landscaping team, and they have collaborated on diverse projects across Indiana, including native planting schemes for schools, community gardens, the Eiteljorg Museum, and the Humane Society. Their new design for Indianapolis reflects typical sub-divisions in Indiana and considers future climate challenges, such as increased flooding and hotter, drier summers. The design features resilient, native Indiana plants that thrive in local soil conditions and contribute to the ecosystem.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from leading experts in native plants! Participants will gain practical insights into native garden designs and learn how tailored landscaping can support wildlife, promote ecological balance, and help restore natural habitats. 

From the gardener: “Two years ago I started transforming my suburban Mount Lebanon yard into a habitat for wildlife with native plants. Since then I have added more than 550 native plants/shrubs/trees to my yard and taken out most of the turf grass. It is very much a work in progress.”

From the webmaster: Trina Brown of Allegheny Understory has a beautiful garden, but even more amazing is her dedication to sharing information as well as her process/progress to social media. We highly recommend you learn more about what’s she’s been up to!

Register for the tour here!

About Allegheny Understory:

https://www.facebook.com/alleghenyunderstory

https://www.instagram.com/the_allegheny_understory

Check out one of Upstream's beautiful gardens used for rain management! Register here!

Explore the ecological and aesthetic advantages of hedges and hedgerows in our upcoming Wild Ones national webinar, “The Beauty and Benefits of Hedgerows” with Heather McCargo, founder of Wild Seed Project.

Native hedgerows are diverse plantings of woody plants from shrubs to small trees along with herbaceous groundcovers at their base.  Learn how these low-maintenance and sustainable plantings of shrubs, trees, and groundcovers can enhance biodiversity, provide critical habitats for wildlife, and contribute to climate resilience. Discover practical tips for designing and implementing hedgerows in various landscapes, from farms to urban settings, and understand their role in supporting pollinators, birds, and soil health. 

 You will also learn about Heather McCargo and the Wild Seed Project's latest collaboration with Wild Ones on the new Native Garden Design for Portland, ME. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from a leading expert in native plant restoration and take your landscaping skills to the next level. 

Join us for our summer social! We will be celebrating the end of summer with a pot-luck style picnic. This event is for members only. Please check your email for upcoming communications about this event!

Learn how to use high-density plantings that replicate natural ecosystems in aesthetically pleasing designs, enhancing ecological functions while reducing maintenance efforts in our upcoming Wild One’s national webinar, “Matrix Landscape Design” with author, landscape designer, activist, and educator Benjamin Vogt.

Matrix planting is a landscape design approach that mimics natural ecosystems by closely planting and layering compatible perennials and grasses to cover the soil, provide more ecosystem services, and eliminate the need for wood mulch or aggressive weeding.  Join Wild Ones for a webinar to learn how author, educator, and landscape designer Benjamin Vogt applies this approach to create stunning native gardens. Learn the principles behind this method, its ecological benefits, and practical steps to implement matrix planting in your own garden. 

You will also learn about Benjamin’s latest collaboration with Wild Ones on the new Native Garden Design for Lincoln, NE. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from a leading voice in natural garden design and take your gardening skills to the next level. Register now to secure your spot!