Events

Katrina Weakland and Jenna Rose want to teach members how they prepare Native Plant tea.

We will be taking cuttings from wild Pussy Willow shrubs and planting them in ground to create a living fence.

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. 

Member Michael Tucker Taps his Maple Trees at his Permaculture farm for Maple Water. This will be educational. We can exchanged seeds each member has collected last autumn.

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. 

Seed Exchange at Tuckahoe Park/Community Food Forest Plan at 1pm

Invasive Plant Removal (Border Privet) at 2 - 5 pm at nearby woodlands behind Altoona Bible Church. This land will be home to future Community Food Forest where we will be planting Paw Paw grove and other Edible/Medicinal Native plants once Border Privet is removed.

Spring Clean up of Rain Garden

Planting a PawPaw Patch at Food forest section of Natureworks park and a PawPaw Grove along stream.

We will be planting Native Wildflower plugs for a Pollinator Plot with 12th graders from Holidaysburg High.

This event will have education to go along with the planting.

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. 

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. 

Celebrating our first Pawpaw Festival

Our Wildones chapter will have an educational booth along with a Pawpaw taste testing booth.

We will have our Wildones Educational table setup at this little festival. All members are welcome to join us at the table to help spread awareness of our Local Community Native plant Gardens, explain why Native plants are important to our ecosystem, and get to see our Pollinator Garden Planting at the Church lawn that we put in this Spring.

We will also be giving away free Native Trees and Shrubs from the Keystone 10 million Tree project that we pre ordered for people to pick up

We will gather seeds from Cardinal flower and other native wildflowers we planted and tending to our Community Rain Garden in Fairview by weeding, Planting and perhaps mulching. 

This day will begin first phase of a Community Food Forest featuring edible native trees and shrubs along with ecological native plants for a Riparian Buffer, Rain Garden, Herb garden, Pollinator garden, and Willow tunnel.

Some edible native plants we will utilize are - Pawpaws, Persimmons, Grapes, Plums, Hazelnuts, Pecans, Blueberries, Serviceberries Elderberries, Red mulberries, Aroniaberries, Raspberries and Passion Fruit along with leafy spring greens from Spiderwort and Cutleaf Coneflower and roots like Echinacea and Jerusalem Artichoke.

Gloves and shovels provided!

We will have a design map of the community food forest for all to see soon

To honor Indigenous Peoples day We will be planting Turtle Island's (North America's) largest native fruit- Pawpaw Tree seedlings in specific locations along the Beaver Dam Branch and Frankstown branch of Juniata River.

Every ½ mile along the waterway we will need to plant a grove of 4 or 5 Pawpaw trees in order for the Zebra Swallowtail to have a proper corridor as Pawpaw trees are the Zebra Swallowtail Butterflies only host Tree. We will have a map to follow and designated sites to plant at.

We will meet at Juice Shack by Martins in Duncansville for lunch before planting along the waterway behind the Juice Shack.

This 2nd group planting day will continue phase one of a Community Food Forest featuring edible native trees and shrubs along with ecological native plants for a Riparian Buffer, Rain Garden, Herb garden, Pollinator garden, and Willow tunnel.

Some edible native plants we will utilize are - Pawpaws, Persimmons, Grapes, Plums, Hazelnuts, Pecans, Blueberries, Serviceberries Elderberries, Red mulberries, Aroniaberries, Raspberries and Passion Fruit along with leafy spring greens from Spiderwort and Cutleaf Coneflower and roots like Echinacea and Jerusalem Artichoke.

Gloves and shovels provided!

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! 

This 3rd group planting day will continue first phase of a Community Food Forest featuring edible native trees and shrubs along with ecological native plants for a Riparian Buffer, Rain Garden, Herb garden, Pollinator garden, and Willow tunnel.

Some edible native plants we will utilize are - Pawpaws, Persimmons, Grapes, Plums, Hazelnuts, Pecans, Blueberries, Serviceberries Elderberries, Red mulberries, Aroniaberries, Raspberries and Passion Fruit along with leafy spring greens from Spiderwort and Cutleaf Coneflower and roots like Echinacea and Jerusalem Artichoke.

Gloves and shovels provided!

We will be visiting multiple sites in Altoona/Holidaysburg Area collecting seeds all day from different Wildflower meadows and Parks that host Native plants.

Seed gathering bags for everyone.

We will have our Educational/Information Table at Lunar Fest again this year. Every Wildones member is more than welcome to attend and be at our display table to help answer any questions people attending lunar fest may have may about native plants role in our ecosystem and the Community projects we do. We are always looking for more inspired members to join our group. Events like these are a great place to meet our eco-minded community. The more members we get the more Community Food Forest sanctuaries we can plant throughout the neighborhoods of Blair County.

*LUNAR FEST*

2-day Metaphysical & Spiritual Event!
Free Admission
60+ Healers, Vendors, Mystics, Artists, Practitioners, Workshops & More!
11/16/24 - 12:00pm to 7:00pm
11/17/24 - 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Lunar Fest was created to provide a gathering place for all magical beings of this world(and others). We have created a magical gathering place of comfort, learning, & sharing.

Native plants have an incredible ability to adapt to climate extremes, offering sustainable solutions for resilient landscapes. Join Wild Ones and the Native Plant Society of Texas to explore the power of native plants to thrive in challenging conditions.

This event features Christy Ten Eyck, founder of Ten Eyck Landscape Architects. Drawing from her latest Dallas-Fort Worth native garden design, Christy will share insights into designing low-maintenance, ecologically rich spaces that withstand intense climate fluctuations.

End of the Year Celebration Dinner at our favorite Farm to Table Restaurant - Horn O' Plenty  in Bedford, PA.

Neonicotinoid insecticides, commonly known as “neonics,” have become the most widely used insecticides in the U.S., leading to drastic declines in bees, pollinators, birds, and aquatic ecosystems. In this webinar, Lucas Rhoads, Senior Attorney with NRDC’s Pesticides & Pollinators Team, will share expert insights on how neonics impact our environment and pose serious risks to human health. He’ll delve into the harms associated with neonic-treated seeds, which are a major source of contamination, and explore effective policy advocacy strategies to rein in their widespread use without disrupting farmers or landscapers.