Upcoming Events

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Please be advised that programs & events may be postponed/cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns. We are monitoring the evolving situation and will adhere to recommended safety protocols.
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September 2021

Depot Pocket Prairie Park Family Exploration: Butterflies

When: Saturday, September 18, 2021, 10-11:30am
Where: Depot Pocket Prairie Park 601 W. Dartmouth Ave. Englewood, Colorado 80110

Register: Space is limited; registration is required; children must be accompanied by an adult.

Migrate to Depot Prairie Pocket Park and morph through the life cycle of a beautiful butterfly.

Children and adults can explore Englewood’s Depot Pocket Prairie Park together through a series of guided activities to discover how plants, insects, wildlife and our community are interconnected. The programs are designed for children aged 5-10 accompanied by an adult. Each monthly program focuses on a different theme and has a take home project to create your own pollinator habitat.  

Hometown Habitat

Stories of Bringing Nature Home

When: Tuesday, September 21; 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Where: Englewood Public Library (Anderson Room), 1000 Englewood Pkwy, Englewood, CO 80110 Or, join virtually on Zoom

Hometown Habitat follows the stories of people who were inspired by the simple idea that replacing turf with native plants could save our planet from many environmental perils. The screening will be followed by a discussion and tips on how to start your own native plant landscape, moderated by WOFR board members Deb Lebow Aal and Danna Liebert. Presented in partnership with Englewood Parks and Library.

Hometown Habitat – Stories of bringing nature home    When: Tuesday, September 21; 6:00 – 7:30 pm   Where: Englewood Public Library (Anderson Room), 1000 Englewood Pkwy, Englewood, CO 80110 Or, join virtually on Zoom   Hometown Habitat follows the stories of people who were inspired by the simple idea that replacing turf with native plants could save our planet from many environmental perils. The screening will be followed by a discussion and tips on how to start your own native plant landscape, moderated by WOFR board members Deb Lebow Aal and Danna Liebert. Presented in partnership with Englewood Parks and Library.

October 2021

Native Seed Swap: Denver

Past events

September 2021

Tour the High Plains Environmental Center and the Chapungu Sculpture Park Native Gardens
with Jim Tolstrup, HPEC Executive Director and Sabrina Kershman, Horticulture Manager

The High Plains Environmental Center is a “living laboratory” designed to explore the connection between sustainable living and ecological processes that foster personal and community well-being. The Center’s grounds feature diverse native plant demonstration gardens and include rainwater catchment and filtration systems, native shrub hedgerows and windbreaks, a medicine wheel garden, native riparian plantings, native turf, and a native plant nursery (plants will be available for purchase; fall is a great time to plant native plants). The nearby Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra is home to 82 monumental stone sculptures from Zimbabwean artisans traversing 26-acres of gardens showcasing native and regionally adapted plants.

While the High Plains Environmental Center is a family-focused organization, this tour will be tailored to adult native plant enthusiasts. To learn more about opportunities for youth engagement at HPEC, check out their school programs and events.

August 2021

Xeric Tallgrass Prairie Hike
with Lynn Riedel, Plant Ecologist, City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks

When: Friday, August 20, 2021, 8-11am (possibly 11:30am, depending on weather)
Where: TBD (City of Boulder Open Space property; exact location will be shared with registrants via email prior to the event)

Cost: Wild Ones members: $10; non-members $20. Thank you for your support to offset costs for this and future chapter programs.

Registration: Space is limited. Xeric Tallgrass Prairie Hike (constantcontact.com)

Explore a globally rare tallgrass plant community at the foot of the Front Range in Boulder. August is the height of growth for this grassland community; plant ecologist Lynn Riedel will help with identification and discuss the cultural needs of native grasses and mid to late summer prairie wildflowers.

Attendees should expect to hike 2-3 miles at a slow to moderate pace over relatively level, but very rocky terrain. There is no shade, and windy conditions are likely. Please bring plenty of water, wear sun protection and closed-toed shoes (cacti), and dress appropriately for warm or cool weather.

Depot Pocket Prairie Park Family Exploration: Hummingbirds

When: Saturday, August 7, 2021, 10-11:30am
Where: Depot Pocket Prairie Park 601 W. Dartmouth Ave. Englewood, Colorado 80110

Register: Space is limited; registration is required; children must be accompanied by an adult.

Discover fun facts on these fast flyers and get the “hum” on the importance of their global conservation.

Children and adults can explore Englewood’s Depot Pocket Prairie Park together through a series of guided activities to discover how plants, insects, wildlife and our community are interconnected. The programs are designed for children aged 5-10 accompanied by an adult. Each monthly program focuses on a different theme and has a take home project to create your own pollinator habitat.  

When: Wednesday, August 4, 2021, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: This is a virtual Zoom event. Please make sure to download the Zoom application (https://zoom.us/download) and make sure it includes the latest Zoom update prior to the live course.

Cost: Wild Ones members $5; for non-members, we kindly ask for a $15 donation to help offset costs for this and future chapter programs. Scholarships are available for those experiencing financial hardship. Please inquire via email.

Register: Wild Ones Front Range Chapter: Wild Seed Collection and Cleaning (signupgenius.com)

Heralding the start of a new seed collection season, Wild Ones Front Range Chapter welcomes mountain seed steward Penn Parmenter to share stories of field collecting native seeds and tips on how to clean them. Learn about wild seed collection ethics and best practices and permits/permissions needed to collect seed. Planting regionally adapted seeds from local genotypes is the best (and least expensive) way to introduce species diversity into cultivated gardens.

July 2021

Virtual Member Mixer

When: Wednesday, July 14, 2021, 6:30-8pm
Register: This event is open to Wild Ones Front Range Chapter members. Registration is required. You will receive a confirmation email containing a link to join the meeting prior to the event.

Beat the summer heat and connect with fellow Wild Ones members from the comfort of home. We will share chapter news and highlight upcoming events and volunteer opportunities and then open the session to chat about specific native landscaping challenges and native plant questions. If you’d like to send us your questions ahead of the event, please submit them via email. 

Visit our membership page for information about becoming a Wild Ones member.

Depot Pocket Prairie Park Family Exploration: Local Birds

When: Saturday, July 10, 2021, 10-11:30am
Where: Depot Pocket Prairie Park 601 W. Dartmouth Ave. Englewood, Colorado 80110

Register: Space is limited; registration is required; children must be accompanied by an adult.

Fly in for a feathered exploration about local birds. Learn about their food foraging and nesting habits and build a bird nesting material holder to bring home to start your own bird habitat.

Children and adults can explore Englewood’s Depot Pocket Prairie Park together through a series of guided activities to discover how plants, insects, wildlife and our community are interconnected. The programs are designed for children aged 5-10 accompanied by an adult. Each monthly program focuses on a different theme and has a take home project to create your own pollinator habitat.  

 

June 2021

Pollinator Party

When: Saturday, June 26, 2021, 9am-12pm
Where: Mansions Park, 198 Lovers Ln, Manitou Springs, CO 80829

Celebrate National Pollinator Week at a Pollinator Party in Manitou Springs. Wild Ones Front Range Chapter will be joining the Manitou Pollinators and other mission-aligned organizations at this free, family-friendly event. Learn about native plants and pollinators, lend a hand planting a pollinator garden and discover opportunities to support pollinators in your community. 

Tour Wild Ones member Louis Plachowski’s Garden

When: Sunday, June 13, 2021, 5-6:30pm
Where: Park Hill neighborhood, Denver

Tour Wild Ones member Louis Plachowski’s garden, planted with a wide array of waterwise and native perennials, grasses and shrubs.

Registration: Space is limited; registration is now open for Wild Ones members; general public registration opens June 1, 2021.

Volunteer Opportunity: Greater Park Hill Garden Tour

Volunteer to share our mission with the Greater Park Hill community.

Tour the Mordecai Children’s Garden
with Michael Guidi, Denver Botanic Gardens horticulturist

Tour the Mordecai Children’s Green Roof Garden with DBG horticulturist Michal Guidi. Attendees will have access to the York Street Gardens following the tour.

Get outdoors on this guided wildflower walk as we explore the foothills ecosystem and identify the native plants that thrive there.

Pollinator Plant Swap: Denver

Pollinator Plant Swaps are community-investment, pay-it-forward events; they are free and open to the public. These events make pollinator-friendly plants available to people who might not otherwise have access to them. We will be spotlighting native plants because of their critical role in pollinator conservation. Our aim with these “pay-it-forward” events* is to get ecologically valuable, pesticide-free plants into the yards and gardens (and outdoor pots) of residents in underserved communities with limited access to plants. Native plants will attract native bees, butterflies, moths and birds to neighborhoods lacking in access to nature.

* Attendees do not need to bring plants to participate. For more information on donating plants and volunteering to support this event please visit the event page.

Volunteer Opportunity: Thornton Fest

Volunteer to share our mission with the community of Thornton! We will be tabling alongside other mission-aligned organizations: Bee Thornton, the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project, People and Pollinators Action Network.

Depot Pocket Prairie Park Family Exploration: Bees Belong!

When: Saturday, June 5, 2021, 10-11:30am
Where: Depot Pocket Prairie Park 601 W. Dartmouth Ave. Englewood, Colorado 80110

Register: Space is limited; registration is required; children must be accompanied by an adult.

Children and adults can learn together about the contributions native bees make to our environment and build a bee home with natural materials to bring home! Explore the Depot Pocket Prairie Park through a series of activities using your senses and discover how plants, insects, wildlife and our community are interconnected. This FREE program is designed for children aged 5-10 years accompanied by an adult. Space is limited; registration is required:

May 2021

Pollinator Plant Swap: Fort Collins

Pollinator Plant Swaps are community-investment, pay-it-forward events; they are free and open to the public. These events make pollinator-friendly plants available to people who might not otherwise have access to them. We will be spotlighting native plants because of their critical role in pollinator conservation. Our aim with these “pay-it-forward” events* is to get ecologically valuable, pesticide-free plants into the yards and gardens (and outdoor pots) of residents in underserved communities with limited access to plants. Native plants will attract native bees, butterflies, moths and birds to neighborhoods lacking in access to nature.

* Attendees do not need to bring plants to participate; this event is free and open to the public, but due to COVID-19, registration is required. For more information on donating plants and volunteering to support this event please visit the event page.

April 2021

The Advantages of Passive Rainwater Harvesting Earthworks
a talk by Eva Montane

March 2021

When: Tuesday, March 16, 2021, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: This is a virtual Zoom event. Please make sure to download the Zoom application (https://zoom.us/download) and make sure it includes the latest Zoom update prior to the live course.

Cost: This event is free for Wild Ones members; for non-members, if you are comfortably able, please consider a $10 donation to help offset costs for this and future chapter programs. A “pay-it-forward” option is available to assist others in need of scholarships; your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Register: Please sign up at: Wild Ones Front Range Chapter: Planting for the Planet (signupgenius.com). You will subsequently receive an email to register through Zoom.

In this beginners’ presentation Carol English, a field botanist, naturalist and native plant enthusiast, will share how to establish a native plant garden to attract and support wildlife.

February 2021

6th Annual Landscaping with Colorado Native Plants Conference

When: Saturday, February 27, 2021, 9am-4:15pm
Register: Click here to register.

Ticket Options:
General Admission $40
General Admission – COVID 19 Reduced $10
(based on the honor system, for those financially impacted by pandemic)
General Admission – Pay It Forward $60
(for those who wish to help cover those financially impacted)
Student  w/ valid ID $20

The Landscaping with Colorado Native Plants Conference promotes the inclusion of native plants in our landscaping to benefit pollinators and songbirds, save water, and restore the beauty and health of nature in the places we live, work and play. This year’s online sessions include A Western Perspective on Native Plants: a career bringing natives from habitat to market keynote from High Country Gardens founder David Salman and Finding Native Plants at Colorado Nurseries with Wild Ones Front Range Chapter President Lisa Olsen. Please check the event website for more information. This event will be virtual.

Propagating Colorado Native Plants from Seeds

presented by Jan Midgley

When: Saturday, February 20, 2021, 9-11am
Where: This is a virtual Zoom event. Please make sure to download the Zoom application (https://zoom.us/download) and make sure it includes the latest Zoom update prior to the live course.

Cost: This event is free for Wild Ones members; for non-members, if you are comfortably able, please consider a $10 donation to help offset costs for this and future chapter programs. A “pay-it-forward” option is available to assist others in need of scholarships; your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Register: Please sign up at: Wild Ones Front Range Chapter: Propagating Colorado Native Plants from Seeds (signupgenius.com). You will subsequently receive an email to register through Zoom.

Want to introduce more natives to your garden? Frustrated at the difficulty of sourcing a variety? Jan Midgley, professional propagator and author, teaches us how to grow our own. Jan will use pictures of blooming plants, fruits and seeds to instruct attendees on how to collect, clean, store, sow, germinate, grow and transplant Colorado native plants. The presentation will include a discussion of timing and materials, a downloadable slide list and a resource handout.

Historic Uses of Colorado Native Plants
a talk by Jim Tolstrup

When: Wednesday, February 3, 2021, 6:30-8pm
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcqf-uvrzgjHNwHv32uuUynWrlQcrs25Of7 You will receive a confirmation email prior to the event.

“Before drugstores and super markets people had to find food, medicine, and everything they needed, in nature.” Jim Tolstrup, Executive Director of the High Plains Environmental Center.

Jim will share some of the historical uses of our Colorado native plants, based on his research and the teachings of regional tribal elders. Restoring native ecosystems requires a recognition and an understanding of the role that indigenous people played as land stewards. Check out Jim’s blog to learn more about his connection to the Lakota people and his thoughts about our role as land stewards moving forward.
This event is a reprisal of a program Jim presented at the 2019 Landscaping with Colorado Native Plants Conference. To enable note-taking, we invite you to download and print this handout.

January 2021

When: Thursday, January 28, 2021, 6:30-8pm
Register:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpfuyqpjsrHda6BsXSLscyGXIGzccA8BXd You will receive a confirmation email prior to the event.

Pour yourself a favorite beverage and visit with fellow Wild Ones members from the comfort of home. We will introduce the 2021 Chapter Board Members, share responses to our (forthcoming) member survey, and open the virtual floor to chat about landscaping with native plants. If you’d like to send us your questions ahead of the event, please submit them via email. 

Wild Ones Front Range Chapter Book Club:

Bringing Nature Home by Douglas Tallamy

When: Tuesday, January 19, 2021, 6:30-8pm
Register:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIscOqgrTooEteRv-j8SXR6o1k6x4kl6VRj You will receive a confirmation email prior to the event.

We are delighted host an online discussion of Doug Tallamy‘s seminal book, facilitated by fellow Wild Ones member Christine Gust. We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences about how native plants are critical to restoring urban and suburban ecosystems along the Front Range. Please check your local library for a print or digital version of this book, or consider purchasing a copy at the Colorado Native Plant Society’s online bookstore.

October 2020

Native Seed Swap: Fort Collins

When: Saturday, October 24, 2020, 10am – 1pm
Where: Sugar Beet Park 524 San Cristo St, Fort Collins, CO 80524

Register: http://calendar.wlrv.org/wrvcalendar/detail/535/1603555200000

Please join us for our Northern Colorado Native Seed Swap. This event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. You do not need to provide seeds to participate in the swap! If you have access to native seeds, please put cleaned seeds in separate containers (a paper bag or envelope, or a glass jar; one species per container) and LABEL EACH CONTAINER with as much information as you can (the GENUS AND SPECIES, common name(s), location collected (approximate elevation) and date/year collected. In order to streamline the event and minimize physical contact, we would like to prepackage the seeds prior to the swap. Please email focoppan@peopleandpollinators.org with any questions about collecting seeds and we will provide you with a drop-off location. This is a native (Colorado and regional) seed swap; please no vegetable, herb, or non-native annual/perennial seeds. And please, no mystery seeds.

The Wild Ones Front Range Chapter is co-hosting this event with Wildlands Restoration Volunteers, the Northern Colorado Chapter of the Colorado Native Plant Society, Nature in the City, and the People and Pollinators Action Network.

Native Seed Swap: Denver

When: Sunday, October 4, 2020, 10am – 1pm
Where: The Studios at Overland Crossing 2205 South Delaware Street, Denver, CO 80223

Please join us for our Fall Native Seed Swap. This event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. You do not need to provide seeds to participate in the swap! If you have access to native seeds, please put seeds in separate containers (a paper bag or envelope, or a glass jar; one species per container) and LABEL EACH CONTAINER with as much information as you can (the GENUS AND SPECIES, common name(s), location collected (approximate elevation) and date/year collected. In order to streamline the event and minimize physical contact, we would like to prepackage the seeds in September. Please email frontrangewildones@gmail.com with any questions about collecting seeds and we will provide you with a drop-off location. This is a native (Colorado and regional) seed swap; please no vegetable, herb, or non-native annual/perennial seeds. And please, no mystery seeds.

The Wild Ones Front Range Chapter is co-hosting this event with the People and Pollinators Action Network.

Tour the Gardens on Spring Creek

When: Saturday, October 3, 2020, 10:30am – 12pm [FULL] and 1 – 2:30pm
Where: The Gardens on Spring Creek 2145 Centre Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80526

The Gardens on Spring Creek is a 12-acre botanic garden located in the Spring Creek corridor, managed by the City of Fort Collins. Horticulturist Bryan Fischer will guide us through the native gardens and the propagation nursery. This tour has a limited number of participants. 

Tickets: $10 for Wild Ones Front Range Chapter members; $20 for non-members. To register for this event, please send an email with your name, phone number, preferred time, and number of attendees in your party to FrontRangeWildOnes@gmail.com. Payment will be in cash on the day of the event. Space is limited. If you reserve a spot(s) and are unable to attend, please let us know as there will be a waiting list.

September 2020

Cacti and Perennial Garden Tour and Discussion of Successful Landscape Techniques

When: Sunday, September 27, 2020, 9-10:30am [FULL], 11:30am-1pm [FULL], & 2-3:30pm
Where: Kelly Grummons’ Private Gardens 308 Jay Street, Lakewood, CO 80226

Tour the famous native and low-water gardens of Kelly Grummons, plant developer and owner of Cold Hardy Cactus and Dog Tuff Grass. Kelly will show us his personal gardens and share his expertise of how to achieve a successful and vibrant garden throughout the Colorado seasons. The garden features many native species as well as low-water adapted plants and cacti. Kelly is an accomplished horticulturist and has worked in the nursery trade for over 30 years. As former chief horticulturist and owner Timberline Gardens, Kelly introduced dozens of winter hardy species, many native to Colorado’s Front Range. For a glimpse of what you will see in Kelly’s garden, check out this blog post from last September. There will be an opportunity to shop from Kelly’s private collection and inventory between tours. Join us for a rare opportunity to view one of Colorado’s extraordinary gardens. 

Tickets: $20 for Wild Ones Front Range Chapter members; $40 for non-members. Click to register.

August 2020

“Just Say No to Pesticides”:
Diplomacy and Nurture in Pest Management
a talk by Mikl Brawner

When: Sunday, August 30, 2020, 1pm – 3pm
Where: Harlequin’s Gardens 4795 North 26th Street Boulder, CO 80301

This event will be held outdoors. Please wear a mask.

There is no need for poisons if we support our plants with good nutrition, and grow them in a diverse ecosystem. There are non-toxic methods and products in case of emergencies. Learn how to be successful with this approach and how to judge when to do something and when to trust Nature to manage the pests. Mikl Brawner will also share information about insectary plants – plants that attract beneficial insects. Mikl has been researching alternatives to toxic pesticides for 45 years. Harlequin’s Gardens has never used poisons in their 28 years of professional plant care and their nursery stock is completely pesticide and neonicotinoid-free.
Following the class there will be an opportunity to tour the demonstration gardens and browse the nursery’s great selection of native plants. We encourage you to shop local!

Tickets: $20 for Wild Ones Front Range Chapter members; $30 for non-members. To Register for this event, send us an email with your name, phone number, and the number of attendees in your party to FrontRangeWildOnes@gmail.com. Registration will be limited to the first 20 registrants. If you receive a spot and are unable to attend, please let is know as there will be a waiting list. Payment will be in cash on the day of the event. 

Native Prairie and Foothills Gardens Tour

When: Saturday, August 22, 2020, 10:30am-12pm and 1-2:30pm
Where: The Gardens on Spring Creek 2145 Centre Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80526

Join Gardens On Spring Creek horticulturist Bryan Fischer for a guided tour of the recently constructed Prairie and Foothills Gardens, highlighting native plants that will thrive in urban and suburban landscapes. If time permits, we will also tour the Gardens’ nursery.

Tickets:  $10 for Wild Ones Front Range Chapter members; $20 for non-members. To register for this event, please send us an email with your name, phone number, and number of attendees in your party and preferred time slot to FrontRangeWildOnes@gmail.com. Space is  limited. If you reserve a spot(s) and are unable to attend, please let us know as there will be a waiting list. There will be an additional fall tour of the Gardens on October 3.

July 2020

When: Thursday, July 9, 2020, 5:30-8:30pm
Where: Online Event — SOLD OUT

Wild Ones members are invited to spend an evening with Doug Tallamy, renowned entomologist, ecologist, and author discussing why you are Nature’s Best Hope.

Dr. Tallamy is an Honorary Directory of Wild Ones. Through his research, writings and presentations, Dr. Tallamy has encouraged us to landscape our homes to: “Garden as if life depended on it.”

If you have been motivated by Tallamy’s work, now is the time to connect with a family member, friend, neighbor, or colleague. Invite them to attend this special Wild Ones program to discover why to grow native plants.

Register for this FREE Wild Ones online event.

June 2020

Wild Ones National presents:

Webinars for Home Gardeners & Educators

Whether you choose to learn how wildlife, people, and plant communities interact; how to share concepts of ecoliteracy with your children; or how to collect your own seeds, this live and interactive series will cover an eclectic variety of topics while generally emphasizing the importance of place-based ecological landscapes.

Cosponsored by American Horticultural Society (AHS) and Wild Ones – Native Plants, Natural Landscapes
*Attendees are eligible for an AHS membership discount! Those who are already AHS members may give the discount as a gift. To obtain, click the link included in the confirmation email you receive after registering.

View the session descriptions, instructor biographies, and registration below or in our PDF brochure.

One hour webinars: $25

Thirty minute webinars: Free

*RECORDINGS: Free webinars will be recorded and shared on NDAL’s website for all to access after their live date. One hour webinars will be recorded and shared via a password-protected NDAL page with registrants after their live date. Recordings will not be available for purchase after registration closes.

*TIME ZONE: All webinars are listed in Eastern Standard Time.

Questions? Email Sara Weaner at sweaner@ndal.org

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Ecology and the Residential Landscape:

At Home with Nature

Session Descriptions

Native Meadows: Let’s Get Real | Larry Weaner, FAPLD

Wednesday, June 3rd | 1:30 – 2:30 PM EST

Wildflower meadows were introduced to the American gardening public in the days of tie dye tee shirts and kaleidoscopic acid trips. Unfortunately, early meadow plantings all too often consisted of only short-lived species not adapted to the site. And just like those acid trips, the colors didn’t last. Alternatively, by using site adapted native perennials, long lived vibrant meadows are quite achievable. In this presentation, plant selection criteria, planting procedures, and management techniques will be illustrated through a series of residential case studies, including some over two decades old.

Register now

The Self-Sufficient Landscape: Being Your Own Plant and Seed Source | Ian Caton

Thursday, June 4th, 2020 | 1:30 – 2:30 PM EST

This webinar will explore techniques for collecting, storing, and sowing seeds directly in the landscape, or growing them in trays for future planting. We will then learn how those plants, once established and with a little help from the gardener’s hand, can effectively proliferate and self-colonize into other areas of  landscape. This self-sufficient landscaping approach can afford an inexpensive yet rewarding way to concurrently enjoy gardening and plant ecology. 

Register now

Native Design, Planting, and Maintenance: Breaking the Rules | Larry Weaner, FAPLD

Tuesday, June 9th, 2020 | 1:30 – 2:30 PM EST

Native design success requires a new toolbox, one containing techniques that at times are the opposite of traditional garden practice. Planting native species is the first to step ecological home landscaping. The second is to expand the area we commonly plant them, including lawn and neglected perimeter spaces. In step three we put our “Landscape Design” hats on to provide a coherent artistic overlay for this whole composition. Larry will illustrate these ecology-based techniques, from how we select and arrange plants to the simple act of weeding.

Register now

Foraged Flavors: More Than Just Edible | Tama Matsuoka Wong

Thursday, June 11th, 2020 | 1:30 – 2:30 PM EST

Professional forager and wild food purveyor Tama Matsuoka Wong will demonstrate how appreciation for the diverse flavors of wild, uncultivated plants at the nation’s premiere restaurants could transform how gardeners conceive of edible landscapes. She will discuss ethical foraging, “wild farming,” delicious management of invasive exotics, and the untapped flavors of our native flora.

Register now

Living in The Wild: My Home Landscape | Larry Weaner, FAPLD

Tuesday, June 16th, 2020 | 1:30 – 2:30 PM EST

Experiencing the “wild” does not require visiting a national park or remote natural area. On one-third of an acre, Larry Weaner has spent over three decades experimenting with his gardening based on ecological processes. This presentation will follow the resulting learning curve and examine the ecological, practical, and experiential advantages to loosening the garden reins.

Register now

Conversations with an Owner-Operator Landscape Gardener | Douglas Smith, M.D. & Larry Weaner, FAPLD

Wednesday, June 17th, 2020 | 1:30 – 2:00 PM EST

Free session: Since 2003, Douglas and Laurie Smith have been actively procuring plants, planting, and maintaining extensive native gardens at their 9-acre Connecticut property. The landscape includes a wildflower meadow designed by Larry Weaner and Ian Caton. In this session Larry will interview Douglas about the challenges and rewards of being actively involved in his and Laurie’s wild and planted landscape. 

Register now

Bringing our Food Waste “Back to Earth”: The Five Easy Steps to Home Composting | Colleen Falicki

Thursday, June 18th, 2020 | 1:30 – 2:00 PM EST

Free session: If you have been meaning to keep your food and yard waste from sitting in landfills – where it will release more carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere – learn to compost. Back to Earth Compost Crew Founder Colleen Falicki will lay out five simple steps for composting from home. She will also explain other options for households that do not have the yard or garden space to compost on their own. 

Register now

Dealing with Weeds, Deer, and Other Garden Challenges | Larry Weaner, FAPLD

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 | 1:30-2:00 PM EST

Free session: One picture can tell a thousand lies. Behind many a stunning garden image lies countless hours of weeding, fussing, and re-planting. This presentation will illustrate how a “brains over brawn” gardening approach – one that embraces natural ecological processes of vegetative change – can result in landscapes that are easier to maintain, leaving more time to simply enjoy.

Register now

How to Navigate Nature with Children | Scott M. Zgraggen, Ed.D.

Wednesday, June 24th, 2020 | 1:30 – 2:00 PM EST

Free session: According to Richard Louv, author of The Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder (2007) research suggests that we have an innate connection to the natural world around us. There are many problems that can arise when children (and adults) spend too much time indoors, such as depression, obesity, and attention deficit disorder. It seems like a no brainer then to get outside, reduce stress, and tune into nature. However, as any parent knows, it’s hard to get children away from their electronics. This discussion will look at ways that parents can incorporate electronic apps to help their children navigate the natural world around them from identifying animals from sight, tracks, and scat as well as to help reignite the wonder of nature in children of all ages.

Register now

Instructor Biographies

Ian Caton

Ian Caton worked for Larry Weaner Landscape Associates (LWLA) from 2001 to 2013, and now serves as a project consultant for the firm. He is also the founding principal of Wood Thrush Native Nursery in Floyd, VA. Highly knowledgeable about native plants and their incorporation into the human environment, Ian has designed and installed landscapes for a wide range of residential, commercial, and public settings. Prior speaking engagements include the Irvine Native Plant Symposium and events at the New York Botanical Garden and Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. Ian has a B.S. in Ornamental Horticulture and Environmental Design from Delaware Valley College.

Colleen Falicki

Colleen Falicki founded Back to Earth Compost Crew in 2017, providing residential curbside compost pickup and commercial compost pickup in the Suburban Philadelphia area. With a lifelong concern for the environment and since having her first child in 2005, she became deeply passionate about leaving the world a better place for her children and their children. She began composting and choosing foods and products more mindfully. Colleen spent the beginning of her career in corporate communications, marketing, and sales. She spent 12 years as a realtor where she prided herself on providing an exceptional experience for every client. Colleen earned her BA Degree in Communications, Radio/TV from Shippensburg University.

Doug Smith, M.D.

Doug Smith, M.D. graduated from Harvard in 1970, then attended University of Kentucky Medical School, graduating in 1974. He joined the Yale University faculty and eventually became a kidney transplant nephrologist at Yale. Doug briefly moved to the Four Corners of the southwest U.S. where he resided in Farmington, New Mexico and worked primarily at Navajo nephrology clinics in Arizona. In 1995, Doug enrolled in Yale’s Environmental Sciences School, but prior to matriculating he worked with biologists studying mountain lion dispersal in southern Idaho. He then joined the biologists who re-introduced the grey wolf to Yellowstone and Idaho (parts of 1995 and 1996). Ultimately, Doug decided to continue with medicine, his first calling, and he has remained a kidney transplant nephrologist at Yale ever since.

Larry Weaner, FALPD

Larry Weaner, FALPD, president and founder of Larry Weaner Landscape Associates (LWLA), established New Directions in the American Landscape in 1990. He is nationally recognized for combining expertise in horticulture, landscape design, and ecological restoration. His design and restoration work spans more than twenty states and has been profiled in national publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Landscape Architecture Magazine, Garden Design, American Gardener, Wildflower Magazine, and ASLA’s “The Dirt” blog. Larry has presented at American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) annual and state chapter meetings, Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) events, and many others. His book Garden Revolution: How Our Landscapes Can Be a Source of Environmental Change (2016) received an American Horticultural Society Book Award in 2017.

Tama Matsuoka Wong

Tama Matsuoka Wong is a wild food forager and purveyor for some of the nation’s top restaurants. After graduating from Harvard Law School and serving more than 25 years as a financial services lawyer in Tokyo, New York and Hong Kong, she returned with her family to Hunterdon County, New Jersey and rediscovered her passion for the natural world. She co-authored the books Foraged Flavor: Finding Fabulous Ingredients in Your Backyard and Farmer’s Market and Scraps, Wilt and Weeds: Turning Wasted Food into Plenty. In 2007 Tama was named Steward of the Year by the New Jersey Forest Service.

Scott M. Zgraggen, Ed.D.

Scott M. Zgraggen, Ed.D. is Assistant Principal at Springfield Township High School in Erdenheim, Pennsylvania. Prior to his current role, he taught Life Science, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, and Physical Science since 1987 at three schools including West High School in Bakersfield, California; Vacaville High School in Vacaville, California; and Springfield Township High School in Erdenheim, Pennsylvania. He has a B.S. in Animal Science from the University of California at Davis, a Masters of Art in Environmental Science Education from Arcadia University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Arcadia University.

May 2020

Wild Ones National presents:

Webinars for Home Gardeners & Educators

Ecology and the Residential Landscape:
At Home with Nature

Designing for Nature at Home: Two Experts Converse | Douglas Tallamy & Larry Weaner, FAPLD

Thursday, May 28th, 2020 | 1:30 – 2:30 PM EST

Interestingly, the most influential person in contemporary garden design today may very well be entomologist Douglas Tallamy. By bringing popular attention to inextricable links between native flora and fauna, Douglas has changed how countless people garden. Nationally acclaimed Landscape Designer Larry Weaner will interview Douglas about the fine points of residential-scale habitat creation. Larry and Douglas will also compare notes on their experiences engaging with landscapes and gardeners through the lenses of their respective disciplines.

Register now

Douglas Tallamy, Ph.D.

Douglas Tallamy is a professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, where he has authored 102 research publications and has taught insect related courses for 40 years. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities. His book Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens was published by Timber Press in 2007 and was awarded the 2008 Silver Medal by the Garden Writers’ Association. The Living Landscape, co-authored with Rick Darke, was published in 2014. Doug’s new book Nature’s Best Hope released by Timber Press in February 2020, is a New York Times Best Seller. Among his awards are the Garden Club of America Margaret Douglas Medal for Conservation and the Tom Dodd, Jr. Award of Excellence, the 2018 AHS B.Y. Morrison Communication Award and the 2019 Cynthia Westcott Scientific Writing Award.

Larry Weaner, FALPD

Larry Weaner, FALPD, president and founder of Larry Weaner Landscape Associates (LWLA), established New Directions in the American Landscape in 1990. He is nationally recognized for combining expertise in horticulture, landscape design, and ecological restoration. His design and restoration work spans more than twenty states and has been profiled in national publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Landscape Architecture Magazine, Garden Design, American Gardener, Wildflower Magazine, and ASLA’s “The Dirt” blog. Larry has presented at American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) annual and state chapter meetings, Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) events, and many others. His book Garden Revolution: How Our Landscapes Can Be a Source of Environmental Change (2016) received an American Horticultural Society Book Award in 2017.

High Plains Environmental Center

Online Native Plant Sale & Habitat Fair

When: Order online NOW; curbside pick-up Saturdays, May 2, May 16, & May 30 2020, 9am – 3pm

Where: High Plains Environmental Center (HPEC)
2698 Bluestem Willow Drive Loveland, CO (located in The Lakes at Centerra)

Directions: From I-25 take the Loveland/Highway 34 exit. Head west on 34 to Boyd Lake Road, go north on Boyd Lake to the 2nd roundabout, head east on Long Pine Lake Drive to the end of Long Pine Lake and park on the surrounding streets.

Due to concerns over the spread of COVID19, you can now order native plants ONLINE, and schedule a time for curbside pick-up on May 2nd, 16th, or 30th from 9am – 3pm.

Visit www.suburbitat.org to learn more, browse the 2020 species availability, and place your order TODAY!
*Stock Will Be Updated on 4/17/20*

March 2020

VIP Reception & Lecture with David Salman

When: Thursday, March 5, 2020, 5pm – 8pm

Where: The Inn at Hudson Gardens
6115 S Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, CO 80120

Join David Salman, High Country Gardens Catalog Founder and Chief Horticulturist, for an intimate reception prior to his presentation, “Native Plants for all Seasons: Creating a Natural Nectar Feast for Pollinators.” Listen to David speak to his passion for collecting and propagating native plants. At this special VIP event you will have the opportunity to mingle with the legendary horticulturist and other like-minded gardeners while enjoying crafted hors d’oeuvres and a coffee bar. Admission to the lecture is included with the purchase of a VIP ticket.

For details and to register, go to https://hudsongardens.doubleknot.com/event/vip-meet-greet-with-david-salman-native-plant-expert/2631409

Native Plants for All Seasons: Creating a Nectar Feast for Pollinators

a talk by David Salman

When: Thursday, March 5, 2020, 6:30pm – 8pm

Where: The Inn at Hudson Gardens
6115 S Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, CO 80120

David Salman, Founder and Chief Horticulturist of High Country Gardens Catalog will share his vast knowledge of native plants well-suited for cultivation on the Front Range. Plants will be presented in order of bloom time to help you create a continuous supply of nectar for pollinators. A Q&A will follow the presentation.

For more information and to register, go to
https://www.hudsongardens.org/event/native-plants-for-all-seasons-creating-a-nectar-feast-for-pollinators

DAVID SALMAN BIO
David Salman, a Colorado State University horticulture science graduate and founder of High Country Gardens, has been a leading voice for practicing xeriscaping and planting habitat for pollinators for the past 35 years. In addition to serving as the chief horticulturist for High Country Gardens, he operates his own wholesale/retail greenhouse and plant development company, Waterwise Gardening, LLC. David has decades of experience in greenhouse production management, perennial propagation and production, ornamental plant seed production, commercial tree farming and ornamental plant breeding and development. David is also very experienced in Xeric (waterwise) landscape design, installation and maintenance for the Great Plains and Intermountain West. He has been published in regional and national horticultural journals and magazines. David continues to focus on the breeding and selection of improved water-wise, ornamental plants for the Western US. He places special emphasis on native species from North America, as well as cold hardy, xeric species from western Asia and South Africa.

February 2020

2020 Landscaping with Colorado Native Plants Conference

When: Saturday, February 29, 2020, 9am – 5pm

Where: Tivoli Turnhalle on the Auraria Campus
900 Auraria Parkway, Denver, CO 80204

Learn how to create a beautiful native landscape from the ground up with experts from around the state!

Seminar topics include:
Replacing lawns with Colorado native plants
Examples of existing native plant gardens
Seed collection and propagation of natives
Managing native plant garden pests
Rooftop and rain gardens
And more!

This event has sold out each year, so don’t wait to get your ticket!
For more information and to register, go to https://tinyurl.com/2020-LWCNP-conference

January 2020

Movie Night – Wild Hope

When: Wednesday, January 8, 2020, 5:45pm – 7:45pm

Where: Sheridan Library, Thersa Dando Meeting Room
3425 West Oxford Avenue, Denver, CO 80236

Wild Hope tells the story of our deep spiritual connection to the natural world, a connection that has the power to rewire our brains, take us back to our deepest roots, and change how we think and act in a world needing our care.

Wild Hope challenges the economic underpinnings driving climate change and awakens us to the possibility of a more meaningful life—a life defined not by consumption, but by compassion.

We invite an interactive audience discussion after the film screening. Introductions of the 2020 Chapter Board and 2019 chapter highlights will precede the film. Light refreshments will be provided. Chapter members are encouraged to attend!

FREE to attend! Please RSVP to: frontrangewildones@gmail.com

October 2019

Native Grasses Tour – Denver Botanic Gardens

When: Wednesday, October 2nd, 3pm-4pm

Where: Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York Street Denver, CO 80206

Here on the Front Range, east of the glorious Continental Divide, is home to Colorado’s short grass prairie. Are you interested in learning more about Colorado’s prairie ecosystem, and its native grasses? Then join the Front Range Chapter of Wild Ones for a very special tour of native grasses showcased at the Denver Botanic Gardens with one of its horticultural specialists, Nick Daniel. Attendees will receive special group pricing. No additional entrance fee to the Gardens is required. Space is limited so sign up today to reserve your spot! **UPDATE: TOUR IS SOLD OUT!**

Purchase Tickets Here
$10 registration fee

Fall Native Seed Swap

When: Sunday, October 6th, 10am-1pm

Where: CSU Denver Extension, 888 East Iliff Avenue Denver, CO 80210

*Start saving your native plant seeds!!* Come out and bring your seeds to swap with other native plant enthusiasts! Seed swaps are a terrific way to get your hands on different native plants that are difficult to buy, and you know that the plants are grown locally. The event is free to attend. Plant information, seed envelopes, and light refreshments will be provided. This event is co-hosted with the People and Pollinators Action Network. Please RSVP to: frontrangewildones@gmail.com with the native plant seeds you are planning to bring.

September 2019

Native Garden Yard Tour – West Centennial

When: Thursday, September 19th, 5:30pm-6:30pm

Where: The residence of John & Meagan Murgel, full address provided after registration

John Murgel’s bold changes have transformed this suburban property in west Centennial. He has piqued the neighborhood’s patient curiosity and broadened the awareness and appreciation of ecologically sound methods as the garden delivers more interest every year.

After purchasing the property in June 2016, John’s priorities quickly turned to eliminating difficult-to-maintain turfgrass in the front and re-structuring a backyard pond and surrounding lawn into a xeric rock garden. Taking inspiration from nature in design, most of the gardens are watered only by natural precipitation. John uses both native and non-native plants to evoke a “native-esque” landscape where pollinators abound.

John Murgel was educated in ecology, evolutionary biology, and horticulture. He has worked at the Denver Botanic Gardens and the Denver Zoo as a horticulturist. He currently serves as the horticulture manager at Denver Zoo.

Come enjoy his garden and learn about his process. Plants lists, raffle and refreshments provided to registered attendees.

Purchase Tickets Here
Wild Ones members FREE / $15 non-member

August 2019

Native Garden Yard Tour – Littleton

When: Sunday, August 25th, 4:00pm-5:30pm

Where: Residence of chapter member Marsha Plucker, address provided upon registration

Purchase tickets

Wild Ones members FREE / $15 non-member

Since Marsha and her family moved to their 1960s style home in 2013, she and her husband have been converting their yard into the marvelous landscape it is today. With inspiration from the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms and the Mordecai Children’s Garden, the Pluckers completed several “do-it-yourself” projects to transform their space. Today, with close to 200 species of trees, shrubs, and perennials, many native to Colorado, the yard now brims with life: birds, bees, butterflies, and bugs of all sorts. Come learn about the why that motivated the Pluckers, how they did it, and what is thriving in their yard. Light refreshments will be provided.

June 2019

Meet the Natives: A Talk by Beth Hanson

The Front Range Chapter has partnered with the Highlands Garden Center to bring you a FREE lecture by Beth Hanson, Park Interpreter and Naturalist at the Carson Nature Center in South Platte Park in Littleton. Beth will discuss which native plants have proven themselves in our challenging Colorado landscapes, including plants suited for hot and dry areas, full shade, and poor soils, with an opportunity to purchase Beth’s native plant recommendations from the nursery after. There is a native plant that would love to grow in your garden! Click here to view the flyer for the event.

When: Saturday, June 29th, 10am-11am

Where: Highlands Garden Center, 8080 South Holly Street, Centennial, CO 80122

FREE to attend!

Please RSVP to:
FrontRangeWildOnes@gmail.com

 

May 2019

Native Plant Sale & Habitat Fair

When: Saturday, May 4th, 9am-3pm

Where: High Plains Environmental Center, 2698 Bluestem Willow Drive Loveland, CO

The event is FREE to attend! The Front Range Chapter will have a booth at the event. Stop by to buy native plants, tour the new visitor center, and participate in activities. More information on the event can be found here.

April 2019

Town of Erie 22nd Annual Arbor Day and Earth Day Celebration

When: Saturday, April 27th, 10am-12pm

Where: Erie Community Park, 450 Powers Street, Erie, CO

The event is FREE to attend! The Front Range Chapter will have a booth at the event. Stop by for free tree seedlings, refreshments, activities, and educational resources on tree planting. More information on the event can be found here.

 

 March 2019

In association with Audubon Rockies, an evening with Kenton J. Seth

Purchase Tickets

 

February 2019

Landscaping with Colorado Native Plants Conference, 4th Annual

More information

When: Saturday, February 16th, 8am-4pm

Where: Auraria Campus, Tivoli Turnhalle Hall, 900 Auraria Parkway Denver, CO 80204

January 2019

Wild Ones Movie Night

The Wild Ones Front Range Chapter is hosting a free screening of the film Hometown Habitat!

The documentary features Dr. Douglas Tallamy and educates viewers on why and how native plants are important to local ecosystems.

When: Thursday, January 31st, 6:00pm-8:00pm

Where: Belmar Library, large meeting room
555 South Allison Parkway
Lakewood, CO 80226

There is free parking available.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP by email to FrontRangeWildOnes@gmail.com

April 2018

Harlequin’s Gardens Field Trip

Sunday, April 8, 2018

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Are you interested in learning about native plants, the difference between a true native and a cultivated native, and how to design your landscape? If so, then you need to join WildOnes at Harlequin’s Gardens for an exciting presentation!

Participants will learn about the following topics and participate in a nursery tour with the option to buy native plants:
*True Natives vs. Cultivated Natives
*What is a GENOME Specific Native?
*How to design a home landscape using natives

Presenter: Mikl Brawner
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: Harlequin Gardens, 4795 N. 26th Street, Boulder, CO 80301

COST:
Front Range Wild Ones Member: $15.00 / Non-Members: $20.00

NOTE: Email frontrangewildones@gmail.com to request your membership code to receive the reduced rate

Space is limited, so please register by March 31st to ensure your spot at this great event!!!

COLORADO NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY NATIVE PLANT SALE

April 20-21, 2018

Location: Denver Botanical Gardens

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

Bloomapalooza

May 19, 2018

Location: Butterfly Pavilion

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

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