Events

Are you new to native plant landscaping and aren't sure where to start? Winter is the perfect time to start planning your garden.

Join us at the Bentonville Public Library where Eric Fuselier will cover the basics of landscaping with native plants. This program is designed for newbies and novices who are interested in or just getting started with landscaping with native plants.

Join wildlife biologist Dr. Susan Rupp to learn how to attract and support our native wildlife through the winter season. This presentation will cover the basic requirements needed by all wildlife and discuss how those requirements change during the winter season, what types of wildlife you might expect to see in this region, and how to maintain your landscape to attract the widest variety of wildlife possible.

Join us for a tour of the Eureka Springs Community Center Greenhouse. This event will include a seedling transplanting workshop where participants will get to take home a native plant seedling. You are welcome to participate in future workshops organized by the Eureka Springs Native Plant Collaborative, and you will go home with a native plant or seed each time.

Learn about our native spring ephemerals at Lake Wilson in Fayetteville. Spring ephemerals are among the first plants to flower in the spring, disappearing as the trees begin to leaf out and block the sunlight from the forest floor. Join us to see how many of these spring flowers we can spot and identify.

Join us for a tour of Compton Gardens in Bentonville, recognized as a "Native Garden of Excellence" by Grow Native! and led by our very own Meagan Love who manages the grounds there.

Join us in Springdale as Steve Alarid gives us a tour of his home garden and shares how he has restored it with native plants over the years. Steve will talk about what has gone well and what he would have done differently, so we will all be able to learn from his experiences! The tour will be very interactive, with hopefully lots of questions and discussion.

Please register at the following link to receive the address and parking instructions. https://forms.gle/Gc8xGYb2k832F2Yn8

Join Nolan Moore, biologist at the Pea Ridge National Military Park, for a brief presentation about the efforts undertaken to restore the native prairie and quail habitat there, followed by a tour of the habitat restoration areas.

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. 

To learn how to collect seeds for yourself or for our October 28 Native Seed Swap, join Laurie Scott of the Northwest Arkansas Community College for an introductory program about native seed collection.

Wild Ones Ozark Chapter will be holding our second annual Native Seed Swap on Saturday, October 28, 2023! 
Share extra seeds with others to encourage gardening with native plants, and take some seeds to add new species to your garden.
Free and open to the public.

Wild Ones members can come 30 minutes early, at 9:30 am!

See what seeds are available and let us know what you're bringing here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KtklCrFsJvEwtsMByFKY2LA1XDVTJTjOZY3HQOj33tE/edit?usp=sharing

Guidelines:
- You don’t need to bring seeds to participate.
- Bring only seeds from native plants (no nativars or cultivars - for example, plants sold with a catchy brand name after the name, such as Monarda ‘Fireball’).
- Seeds can be collected from your property or another private or public landscape (with permission!), or they can be purchased.
- Only bring seeds from species that you can positively identify.
- Never collect seeds from rare or protected species growing outside your own garden. Leave enough seed for wildlife.
- Clean seeds as best as you can and bring them in separate containers (paper bags or paper envelopes).
- Label each container with: genus and species, common name, where the seed was collected (or where purchased from), and date collected.

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. 

Annual chapter meeting and potluck. We will review our accomplishments for the year and discuss plans for 2024. Come to meet other members and talk about native plant stuff! Members only.