Events

We are coming together as a new Board for our PA Ridge & Valley Chapter to schedule the event calendar for 2025, talk about our new roles, and connect with one another.

Join the Wildones for our first workshop of the year taking place at Reciprocity Community Food Forest (Llyswen Neighborhood, Altoona). Michael Tucker, a member of our Wildones Non-profit will be giving an experienced how to presentation on tapping a Large Sugar Maple Tree at the Food Forest. For refreshments we will have samples of different varieties of Maple and Birch water to sample so bring your own Cup! (We may also make it carbonated with White Pine Needles! and Flavored with Rose Hips!) As Michael demonstrates the proper way to tap the tree without severely hurting it, Jenna Rose will be explaining the benefits of drinking Maple and Birch water seasonally and respecting the tree by only taking what is needed & giving back by planting more trees with Reciprocity. Maple/Birch water both have more Manganese, Calcium, Sodium, and almost as much potassium as Coconut Water. For Gatorade fans, Maple/Birch Water is an all natural sports drink! For maple syrup fans it would take 50 gallons of sugar maple water to get 1 gallon of maple syrup. So although we love maple syrup as a treat, this workshop is to show the value of an absolute necessity, clean mineral rich, free, Water! All registered Wildones members who attend will be offered a gift of a tap and tube to take home for use on a maple or birch in their neighborhood. Plans for projects through 2025 at Reciprocity Community Food Forest will be discussed amongst group.

All are welcome to join this free virtual panel discussion exploring the vital roles of native, solitary, and honeybees in pollination and biodiversity. Featuring experts Sam Droege (USGS), Dave Hunter (Crown Bees), and Dr. Lora Morandin (Pollinator Partnership), this event will discuss into the challenges pollinators face, the balance between managed and wild bees, and actionable ways to support all pollinators.

Gain insights from over 90 years of combined experience and learn how to advocate for pollinator habitats through planting native species, participating in community science, and adopting responsible management practices.

Public gardens hold tremendous power to influence landscaping norms and inspire change. By showcasing the beauty, functionality, and ecological value of native plants, these spaces help foster biodiversity, advocate for sustainable practices, and engage communities in environmental stewardship. 

This webinar will explore how public and demonstration gardens serve as powerful tools for native plant advocacy. Attendees will learn how gardens move beyond aesthetics to spark action—turning appreciation into engagement and inspiring participants to replicate these practices in their own communities.

We will hear insights from Nicole Machuca, Environmental Social Scientist at the Field Museum, on how public gardens influence behaviors, foster stewardship, and connect people to conservation efforts through research and community engagement. The Wild Ones Capital Region NY and the Wild Ones San Diego (CA) Chapters will share their experiences building native plant demonstration gardens and how these spaces drive community engagement, education, and advocacy. And We'll finish with a conversation exploring how public gardens create a lasting impact beyond planting day moderated by Kelly Kapuzzi, Demonstration Garden Char with the Wild Ones Hocking Hills (OH) Chapter.

Willow Dome/Tunnel planting/weaving workshop with Wildones Non-Profit at Reciprocity Community Food Forest Session 1 of 2

We will be gathering at our 1.4 acre Community green space with a large bundle of harvested Willow branch “Wisps” or “Live Stakes” that were coppiced or pollard from local Willow trees/shrubs. These Wisps will be soaking in a bucket of water for a couple days until ready to plant. Once the still dormant stakes are pushed into the late winter ground about 6 inches they will then root out into the wet ground with early spring temperatures rising. After pushing the 6 to 10 ft Wisps into the ground in a structurally sound pattern, we will then weave them together in the shape of a tunnel & dome. After the installation days in March are over, we will see the transition the Living Willow dome/tunnel takes as it leaves out and all the stakes that are weaved together with ties, literally bond into one another to create a tight connection.

As this project is a Workshop we will go step by step through the entire process (besides willow coppicing) over March 16th and March 23rd

Encourage folks to watch Youtube videos on Willow Domes/Tunnels to get a head start on understanding. If we have extra Live Willow stakes we can give them out to members of our Wildones Non-Profit who are interested in doing this project in there own yard!

(We plan on having a Willow Basket weaving workshop over the winter next year.)

Hope you can make it! Email us with any questions - [email protected]

We will be gathering at our 1.4 acre Community green space with a large bundle of harvested Willow branch “Wisps” or “Live Stakes” that were coppiced or pollard from local Willow trees/shrubs. These Wisps will be soaking in a bucket of water for a couple days until ready to plant. Once the still dormant stakes are pushed into the late winter ground about 6 inches they will then root out into the wet ground with early spring temperatures rising. After pushing the 6 to 10 ft Wisps into the ground in a structurally sound pattern, we will then weave them together in the shape of a tunnel & dome. After the installation days in March are over, we will see the transition the Living Willow dome/tunnel takes as it leaves out and all the stakes that are weaved together with ties, literally bond into one another to create a tight connection.

As this project is a Workshop we will go step by step through the entire process (besides willow coppicing) over March 16th and March 23rd

Encourage folks to watch Youtube videos on Willow Domes/Tunnels to get a head start on understanding. If we have extra Live Willow stakes we can give them out to members of our Wildones Non-Profit who are interested in doing this project in there own yard!

(We plan on having a Willow Basket weaving workshop over the winter next year.)

Hope you can make it! Email us with any questions - [email protected]

We will be gathering at our 1.4 acre Community Green space with 100s of Native perennial Wildflower plugs donated by Ecotopian EarthCare.

A variety of over 10 Native Wetland flower species will be chosen that collectively host blooms from Mid Spring through early Autumn.

We will have a visionary Rain Garden design drawn on laminated paper to follow as a group while we plant. Explanation behind the design and vast information about each individual species / importance and function of Rain Gardens will be shared at this educational/hands on event.

Event is open to public and all official Wildones Non-profit members will be offered free Native Flowers for an at home Rain Garden of their own!

Hope you can make it! Email us with any questions - [email protected]

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon!