Events

Join WOWC for this Stewardship Saturday volunteer workday event to preserve the health of the Environmental Study Area at U of M-Dearborn!

This year-round, ongoing effort helps to improve and sustain the ecological health of the habitats in the Environmental Study Area. That includes addressing the many threats posed by invasive plants and re-establishing native plant life.

 Children must be at least 10 years of age to participate.

All equipment for removing invasive plants will be provided by the Center. But if you can bring a sturdy pair of long-handled branch loppers, please do.  Also, please bring your own drinking water and work gloves for use in the field.

This activity involves moderate physical activity in off trail natural habitat areas. Wear suitable work clothes that can be scraped and poked by twigs and/or the occasional thorny plant, or have contact with sticky bur seeds. A good pair of sturdy work shoes/boots is also a must. No sandals, please.

Read about this and other Volunteer Opportunities at the Environmental Study Area 

The folks at the U of M-D EIC have been so generous to WOWC, this is a opportunity for us to give back.  Registration suggested to help us plan with the EIC on the activity, but not required. 

The WOWC Pocket Forest Committee invites you on a Fall Color Walk at two Pocket Forests in Detroit. 

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We will start at the

Jayne Lasky Park (13200 Fenelon St, Detroit, MI 48212) at 12:00pm

The Lasky Pocket Forest – also built using the Miyawaki Method – was planted and is maintained by volunteers under the leadership of the Greening Of Detroit. 

Note: There is a big parking lot next to the beautiful sports mural on the Lasky Recreation Center, accessed via Fenelon St.  Behind the parking lot is a Putt-putt Golf.  The Pocket Forest is behind the Putt-putt Golf.

Accessibility:  You must traverse across turf grass to reach the Pocket Forest.

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Next, we will commute over to

Kintsugi Village Forest (2001 Wabash St Detroit, MI 48216) at 1:00pm

The Kintsugi Village Forest – built using the Miyawaki Method – is 3,200 square feet and features over 1,100 native trees and shrubs. 

Note: the Pocket Forest is at the corner of Marantette and Wabash. Use the above address for your GPS.  Parking is on the street or we might be able to use the parking lot on the north side of the Kintsugi Community Center building (2020 14th St)-accessed via the ally off of Dalzelle St.

Accessibility:  The Pocket Forest can be viewed from paved surfaces.

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Optional Afterglow at

The Congregation - Coffee Shop (9321 Rosa Parks Blvd, Detroit, MI 48206) at 2:00pm

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Rain or shine, but check this page for updates regarding any changes due to severe weather.

Anyone wishing to Car Pool are asked to Register using the button below. 

Bats are among the most important and misunderstood wildlife in our communities. Join experts from Bat Conservation International to explore how native plants, healthy insect populations, and thoughtful landscape design can help support bats. Learn about the ecological role of bats and discover practical ways to create habitat for North America's night flyers right in your own backyard.

Help Friends of Rouge Park revive a rare oak openings habitat for flowers & pollinators, enjoy a some pancakes and good company after!

10th Annual Fall Seed Share

Hosted by Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission

1pm-2pm Seed collection hike throughout the prairies of County Farm Park. From 2pm-3:30pm Rreturn to the Platt Pavilion for a seed share. Everyone is welcome!

There are always extra seeds, so even if you don’t have anything to share, pick up some seeds and have a cup of tea while you converse with like-minded people and learn more about the local native plant gardening and seed-saving community. This share is part of the Seeds To Community series.

At Wild Ones Wayne County (WOWC) we don't just dream about ‘Connecting people and native plants for a healthy planet’, we actively DO STUFF!   And that “doing” is where WOWC Programs comes in.  It takes People and Planning to Make Stuff Happen. Discussions include:

-Bi-monthly chapter meetings with a presenter or speaker
-Plant Sales
-Tabling Events
-Member-to-Member yard tours
-Stewardship Events
-Seeds to Community Program Events
-Social Events
-Private and Public garden tours

Join us on the first Monday of every month 6:00pm on Zoom where we discuss plans for Events and Activities, as well as Volunteer Opportunities. 

If you are interested in joining this meeting, please contact Steve Ray, Programs Chair for an invite link.

Your ideas are always welcomed at the meeting or by email.

The mission of the WOWC Seeds to Community program is to create connections with people and nature through the process of growing native plants from seed. The program is driven through community engagement in collection, germination and cultivation workshops.

WOWC Seeds to Community events require planning and community engagement. Join each third Wednesday of the month to be a part of the year-round community initiative of growing native plants from seed.

This November meeting will include discussion on:

Seeds Status Update

Seed Cleaning & Storage Workshop Planning

Winter Sowing Workshops Planning

Program Donations

Members will receive invite and Zoom link via email. Reach out to Derek Shaffer or [email protected] with questions.

INFO COMING SOON

2026 Ecological Steward Skills Training class

The class is good for both the beginner who has a few invasives in their yard as well as experienced stewards looking to broaden their knowledge base.

The class will focus more on invasive species removal education and conversation than typical restoration workdays. Participants will learn the fundamentals of identifying and managing woody invasives. Participants will gain practical field experience in effective techniques; both with and without herbicide. The on-site training will have 3 parts; 90 minutes for discussion, 30 minutes for hands on experience and an optional 60 minutes to help restore the ecology in the nature area.

Pre-workshop education materials are available for review at WREN webpage. 

Registration Required.

Zoe Evans, rewilding coach and VP of Partnerships & Programs at Wildr shares a practical, science-informed framework for evaluating a home landscape, identifying its greatest habitat opportunities, and choosing actions that support more plants, insects, birds, and other wildlife.

Registration link coming soon.

At Wild Ones Wayne County (WOWC) we don't just dream about ‘Connecting people and native plants for a healthy planet’, we actively DO STUFF!   And that “doing” is where WOWC Programs comes in.  It takes People and Planning to Make Stuff Happen. Discussions include:

-Bi-monthly chapter meetings with a presenter or speaker
-Plant Sales
-Tabling Events
-Member-to-Member yard tours
-Stewardship Events
-Seeds to Community Program Events
-Social Events
-Private and Public garden tours

Join us on the first Monday of every month 6:00pm on Zoom where we discuss plans for Events and Activities, as well as Volunteer Opportunities. 

If you are interested in joining this meeting, please contact Steve Ray, Programs Chair for an invite link.

Your ideas are always welcomed at the meeting or by email.

The mission of the WOWC Seeds to Community program is to create connections with people and nature through the process of growing native plants from seed. The program is driven through community engagement in collection, germination and cultivation workshops.

WOWC Seeds to Community events require planning and community engagement. Join each third Wednesday of the month to be a part of the year-round community initiative of growing native plants from seed.

This December meeting will include discussion on:

Seeds Status Update

Seed Cleaning & Storage Workshop Planning

Winter Sowing Workshops Planning

Program Donations

Members will receive invite and Zoom link via email. Reach out to Derek Shaffer or [email protected] with questions.

No yard required. Learn how native plants can turn patios, balconies, containers, and other small spaces into meaningful habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. This practical panel will cover plant selection, container design, seasonal care, and realistic ways to support biodiversity in limited spaces.

Registration link coming soon.

Birds depend on healthy, connected habitats for food, shelter, nesting, and migration support. Join experts from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to explore how native plants and thoughtful landscape choices can support birdlife at home. Learn how gardens, yards, and community spaces can provide the insects, seeds, berries, cover, and habitat structure birds need throughout the year.

Registration link coming soon. 

Monarch butterflies depend on a network of habitats stretching across North America, and home landscapes can play an important role in their survival. Join experts from Monarch Joint Venture to explore the science behind monarch conservation, including the importance of milkweed, nectar resources, and regionally appropriate habitat. Learn practical ways to support monarchs through native landscaping and help sustain one of the world's most remarkable migrations.
 

Registration link coming soon.