Events

Join us as we kick off 2026 with presentation on how an average homeowner and gardener  grew to understand the importance of creating a more sustainanble landscape and all the mistakes he made along the way! If you are new to native plants and sustainable landscapes this will be a great opportunity to ask questions or share your own lessons learned.

Bob Hauser have been a Wild Ones member since 2010, and is currently the President of the Wild Ones Wayne County, MI chapter.

In this special collaboration, Robin Wall Kimmerer, author, botanist, and founder of Plant Baby Plant, joins youth leader and Nurture Natives founder Esther Bonney for an intergenerational conversation about belonging, reciprocity, and native plant action. 

Together, they will explore questions such as:

How do we create opportunities for young people to have a voice and feel empowered, even when they are not homeowners or decision makers?What kinds of relationships and mentorships help people stay engaged in native plant work over decades?Why do stories, shared practices, and community invitations matter just as much as plant lists?

Robin and Esther will reflect on what invites people into this work, what keeps them here, and what elders and youth have to teach each other.

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 January meeting will include discussion on:

Winter Sowing Workshop Planning and Logistics

Seed Donations

Seed Data Updates

Program Donations

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

Winter sowing involves creating a miniature greenhouse for your seeds to grow in. In this workshop you will learn how to use milk jugs or clear plastic jugs to sow seeds to be placed outside for the remainder of winter until they germinate and grow. It is is relatively low-cost and for that cost, is incredibly effective at germinating native plant seeds.

All seeds, soil, and materials will be provided. There is no cost to attend this event! However, we encourage you to consider a donation to support the continuation of the program.

This event consists of two sessions

9:00AM - 10:30AM

10:45AM - 12:15PM

This is a great opportunity create connections with people and nature through the process of growing native plants from seed. Hope to see you there!

Due to space and material limitations please find the registration link below. 

If you are interested in volunteering, please mark it in your event registration. 

Shiver on the River 2026 returns to Belle Isle on Feb. 7!

Join the Belle Isle Nature Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Shiver on the River 2026, a free, family-friendly winter celebration on Belle Isle.

Throughout the island, you'll be able to enjoy hands-on activities for all ages focused on nature, learning and winter fun, in partnership with local community organizations.

At the Belle Isle Nature Center enjoy:
• Ice carving demonstrations
• Winter hiking
• Themed crafts
• Education stations
• Hot cocoa
• and more!

Shiver on the River is hosted with the Belle Isle Conservancy, Friends of the Detroit River and the Detroit Historical Society.

Winter sowing involves creating a miniature greenhouse for your seeds to grow in. In this workshop you will learn how to use milk jugs or clear plastic jugs to sow seeds to be placed outside for the remainder of winter until they germinate and grow. It is is relatively low-cost and for that cost, is incredibly effective at germinating native plant seeds.

All seeds, soil, and materials will be provided. There is no cost to attend this event! However, we encourage you to consider a donation to support the continuation of the Wild Ones Wayne County Seeds to Community program.

This is a great opportunity create connections with people and nature through the process of growing native plants from seed. Hope to see you there!

Due to space and material limitations please find the registration link below. 

If you are interested in volunteering, please mark it in your event registration. 

Our upcoming webinar with Basil Camu explores practical, evidence based ways to heal suburban and urban landscapes by working with trees, soil, and natural systems, drawing on real world practices from Leaf & Limb and community centered models for restoring life where we live, work, and play.!  

Take Action with Community Science!

Ever wondered how YOU can contribute to real scientific research? No matter what topic you're interested in, you can turn your curiosity into action with Community Science!

In this presentation, you’ll learn about the importance of this growing movement and how you can start building your knowledge and expertise, all while contributing to local and global projects–anytime and anywhere! 

-Kelly 

Join Joey Santore, creator of Crime Pays But Botany Doesn’t, for a candid Wild Ones National Webinar examining how inherited garden aesthetics shape native plant landscapes. Drawing on field experience and real ecology, Joey challenges tidy design norms and explores why dense, irregular plant communities are often the most resilient and ecologically sound.

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 March meeting will include discussion on:

Seeds Status Update

March 21st Seed Swap Planning

May 3rd Up-Potting Event Planning

Program Donations

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

This free community event is focused on creating a community of Natives & Nourishments.

Don't have seeds to share? Come get some!
Have Extra Seeds? Share with the Community!

There will be hands-on planting experiences with both gardening and native plant experts on site. 

What to bring:
- Washed, plastic jugs
- Paper Grocery Bag(s)

Come ready to learn and make connections with your community of people and plants.

Wayne County Wild Ones will have a table at Greenfest 2026!

Greenfest is a free, family-friendly event that explores how simple actions can support a healthier environment for people, animals and nature. Go green with two days of community science initiatives, connection with local conservation experts, creative exploration and community connection.

Admission is free! So stop by to say Hello and help us celebrate sustainability!

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 April meeting will include discussion on:

Seeds Status Update

March 21st Seed Swap Recap

May 3rd Up-Potting Event Planning

Seed Collection Locations & Dates

Program Donations

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

Kelly Konieczki and Wayne County Wild Ones is inviting the public to join in a workshop to participate in the 2026 City Nature Challenge! The City Nature Challenge is a global activity organized by the Community Science teams at the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM). This event is designed to get people out in nature, learning about and cataloging all they see in iNaturalist. 

Note: If you haven’t already, please create an iNaturalist account before the event by signing up here. 

Join award-winning author, photographer, and educator Rick Darke for What Is Wild and Why It Matters, a free national webinar on Tuesday, April 28th at 10 am CT. Discover how inviting a bit of authentic wildness can create a vibrant landscape that sustains you and local biodiversity. This national event is presented in collaboration between Wild Ones and Homegrown National Park.

Wild Ones Wayne County (WOWC) Seeds to Community is happy to host our 2nd Annual Up-Potting Workshop at the EIC!

This event is an opportunity to come together and share the abundance seedlings from winter sowing. Bring your containers from winter sowing to up-pot seedlings and swap species with fellow community members! There will be additional stratified seeds from WOWC that will be ready to plant as well as seeds not requiring cold stratification. We would love for you to go home with the plants you would like for your space! 

For those that are more ambitious or looking to make an even bigger impact, we are planning to plant seeds in trays to grow additional plants to be used by WOWC for upcoming planting projects, and we could use your help.

This is a free event and potting soil and containers will be provided. Register using the “Register” button below. While there is no cost to register, donations are suggested to cover cost of materials and support the program for the future!

If you are interested in volunteering at this event, please fill out a short volunteer interest form.

Over 98% of the living world on Earth is smaller than a bee. Yet humans view the planet as a world centered around themselves. Landscapes are deconstructed to suit human needs, often with little regard for the natural systems that sustain the food web. The Extraordinary Caterpillar follows the scientists and community activists with this peek into the dazzling world of nature’s tiniest superheroes.

This is a movie about how we can grow the right plants in our yard to support a healthy ecosystem, with a focus on caterpillars and their importance in the food web. There is also amazing close-up photography in this presentation!   

Wayne County Wild Ones will be at Crosswinds Marsh Nature Fest!

This free event will feature live animals, nature activities, fishing, a nature scavenger hunt, canoeing, caricaturists, inflatables Bounce House, games, and more. Bait and a limited number of fishing poles are provided. Parents/chaperones must accompany children at all times during the event.

No registration is required for Nature Fest which is geared to all ages!

For more information, please call (734) 261-1990.

If you'd like to help out at the WOWC Table please complete the Volunteer Registration.

At Wild Ones Wayne County (WOWC) we don't 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 third Monday of every month 6:00pm on Zoom where we discuss plans for Events and Activities, as well as Volunteer Opportunities. 

Members will receive an invite and Zoom link via email prior to the meeting. 

Contact Steve Ray, Programs Chair with questions or ideas.

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 May meeting will include discussion on:

Seeds Status Update

May 3rd Up-Potting Event Recap

Seed Collection Events Planning

Plant Swap Timing

Program Donations

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

AAt Wild Ones Wayne County (WOWC) we don't 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. 

Members will receive an invite and Zoom link via email prior to the meeting. 

Contact Steve Ray, Programs Chair with questions or ideas.

Wayne County Wild Ones will be at the Canton National Trails / River Day!

Kayaking the Rouge River is the highlight of the day.  

"This special event was designed to showcase the incredible Lower Rouge Trail system and give participants the chance to experience the beauty of outdoor recreation on the water right here in Canton,” -Sarah Pushies, Canton Health & Wellness Recreation Specialist

This event will also feature nature walks, birdhouse building, educational booths, and more. For additional information, please visit www.cantonfun.org or call 734/394-5460. 

If you'd like to help out at the WOWC Table please complete the Volunteer Registration.

Join the TreeTown Urban Forest Team at PocketForests.org for a Driving Tour of Pocket Forests in the Detroit Metro Area.  

Carpool to the identified locations to visit the projects.  A representative of each forest will be on hand to introduce their project and answer questions. Visit as many of the locations as your schedule allows. 

Register to receive more detailed info closer to the date.

Join the TreeTown Urban Forest Team at PocketForests.org for a Driving Tour of Pocket Forests in the Ann Arbor - Saline area.  

Carpool to the identified locations to visit the projects.  A representative of each forest will be on hand to introduce their project and answer questions. Visit as many of the locations as your schedule allows. 

Register to receive more detailed info closer to the date.

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 June meeting will include discussion on:

Seeds Status Update

Seed Collection Planning

Seed Collection Notices

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

Join Michigan State University Extension (MSU Extension) for a new and exciting one-day event about wild bees that pollinate vegetables, fruits, and wildflowers. This event includes 3 morning lectures from entomologists with expertise in wild bees and an afternoon of interactive breakout sessions on wild bee identification, photography, and habitat design. If you are looking for ideas to enhance habitat that supports pollinators, come join us at this event! Attendees will learn about Michigan wild pollinators and actions to support them in residential and community garden spaces.

Registration fee: $65

Registration includes lunch, snacks, and admission to Crossroads Village (closes at 5 p.m.).

Registration deadline: June 4 or when event reaches capacity.

Wayne County Wild Ones will be at the Roots of Freedom!

The Livonia Greenleaf Commission on Sustainability, in partnership with Michiganese Natives, is having a Native Plant sale at the Wilson Barn Farmer's Market and your Wayne County Wild Ones will be at the table next to them to offer support and advice to those interested in Sustainable Eco Landscapes.

The Greenleaf Commission promotes efficiency, conservation and environmentally sustainable practices in the City of Livonia and has been a long time partner with WOWC. We are excited to share this event with them to further promote our common goals.

If you'd like to help staff our table at the event (no experience necessary) please sign-up using the Volunteer Registration link below. 

It's time for our annual Native Plant Sale!

We are again partnering with our friends at Michiganense Natives to provide you an opportunity to purchase native plants for your garden at the Belle Isle Nature Center. If you're not sure what to buy or how to get started, we'll be here to help and give recommendations. Come see us! 

A portion of sales will benefit WOWC and our efforts to continue providing native plant resources and programming to our local residents and communities.

Learn more about the Belle Isle Nature Center here.

While admission to the Belle Isle Nature Center is free, a Recreation Passport is required to enter Belle Isle Park. Free, accessible parking is available directly in front of the Nature Center once on the island.

We are looking for member volunteers to help host the sale. Please register to volunteer if you are able!

Members can look forward to Member-to-Member Garden Yard Tours throughout the growing season!

This day's event will feature two Legendary Yards in Livonia  and is open to all Chapter Members and also non-members.  Non-members and anyone wishing to Car Pool are asked to Register using the button below. 

The address of each yard will be communicated to both members and registered non-members approximately 48 hours before the event.

If you are bringing children, please ensure they respect the gardens and their inhabitants. 

Yard One:  Derek's Yard - 48154 (1:00pm)

What began as a search for better vegetable harvests led to a passion for native plants, pollinator conservation, and community engagement. Tour a collection of evolving gardens created through experimentation, learning, and a commitment to sharing native plants and gardening knowledge with others.

Accessibility: Gardens are viewable from paved surfaces.

Read More About Derek's Yard

Yard Two:  Patrick's Yard -48154 (2:00pm)

What happens when a homeowner replaces every square foot of lawn with native plants? Visit Patrick's grass-free landscape to see a thriving habitat filled with pollinators, learn about his journey from traditional lawn care to native gardening, and discover what inspired him to give up his lawnmower for good.

Accessibility: Gardens are viewable from paved surfaces.

Read More About Patrick's Yard

Member-to-Member (M2M) yard visits (aka Show Me-Tell Me) allow members to share experiences, ideas, and challenges with maintaining native plants in our landscapes. These tours help members & invited guests to learn about different natives and enjoy conversations with other native plant enthusiasts.

At Wild Ones Wayne County (WOWC) we don't 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. 

Members will receive an invite and Zoom link via email prior to the meeting. 

Contact Steve Ray, Programs Chair with questions or ideas.

Members can look forward to Member-to-Member Garden Yard Tours throughout the growing season!

This EVENING event will feature a Delightful yard in Dearborn Heights and is open to all Chapter Members and also non-members.  Non-members and anyone wishing to Car Pool are asked to Register using the button below. 

The address of each yard will be communicated to both members and registered non-members approximately 48 hours before the event.

If you are bringing children, please ensure they respect the gardens and their inhabitants.

 Lisa's Yard - 48127 (7:00pm)

What starts with a few purple coneflowers and a curious butterfly sighting?  Find out by exploring this evolving suburban garden, where milkweed sparked a decade-long journey into native plants, blending wildlife-friendly additions with cherished legacy favorites. 

Accessibility:  Everything is on one level but the backyard has uneven ground so anyone  with balance issues might want to bring their cane or walking stick.

Read More About Lisa's Yard

Member-to-Member (M2M) yard visits (aka Show Me-Tell Me) allow members to share experiences, ideas, and challenges with maintaining native plants in our landscapes. These tours help members & invited guests to learn about different natives and enjoy conversations with other native plant enthusiasts.

Members can look forward to Member-to-Member Garden Yard Tours throughout the growing season!

This day's tour will feature two fantastic yards in Livonia and is open to all Chapter Members and also non-members.  Non-members and anyone wishing to Car Pool are asked to Register using the button below. 

The address of each yard will be communicated to both members and registered non-members approximately 48 hours before the event.

If you are bringing children, please ensure they respect the gardens and their inhabitants.

Yard One:  Jennifer’s Yard - 48150  (1:00pm)

Discover how one self-taught gardener transformed a small front yard into a thoughtfully planned native habitat designed to support the greatest possible diversity of caterpillars. Stroll winding paths through woodland, rain, and sunny gardens while exploring the science behind the design. 

Accessibility: Yard is viewable from paved surfaces. 

More About Jennifer's Yard

Yard Two:  Bob’s Yard - 48154 (2:00pm)

What began with a quest for better hydrangeas blossomed into a sixteen-year journey with native plants and wildlife habitat. Explore a fully native backyard, a pollinator-friendly front yard, and the lessons learned while creating a landscape designed to support nature and inspire neighbors.

Accessibility: Yard is viewable from paved surfaces.

Read More About Bob’s Yard

Member-to-Member (M2M) yard visits (aka Show Me-Tell Me) allow members to share experiences, ideas, and challenges with maintaining native plants in our landscapes. These tours help members & invited guests to learn about different natives and enjoy conversations with other native plant enthusiasts.

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 July meeting will include discussion on:

Seeds Status Update

Seed Collection Planning

Seed Collection Notices

Program Donations

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

RESCHEDULED DUE TO AIR QUALITY AND WEATHER FORECASTING. 

Rescheduled date is still TBD. For those registered, you will receive an email noting new date and time. If you missed the original registration, check our event calendar for details!

Members can look forward to Member-to-Member Garden Yard Tours throughout the growing season!

This day's Tour will feature two Amazing venues and is open to all Chapter Members and also non-members.  Non-members and anyone wishing to Car Pool are asked to Register using the button below.  Note: Registration will close at noon on Thursday, July 16th.

The address of each yard will be communicated to both members and registered non-members approximately 48 hours before the event.

If you are bringing children, please ensure they respect the gardens and their inhabitants.

1.  Lindsey's Smart Habitat Garden at the MSU Ext Office in Wayne -  48184 (1:00pm)

Inspired by a book that reshaped their view of gardening, this gardener created a living demonstration of ecological landscaping at the MSU Extension Office. Explore a thriving habitat designed to be beautiful, resilient, pollinator-friendly, and guided by nature's own processes.

Accessibility:  This garden will be viewed from a paved surface.
Bonus:  Attendees may also have the opportunity to take home a souvenir native plant.  

Read More about Lindsey and Her Office Garden 

2:  Brenda's Butterfly Garden in Westland - 48186 (2:00pm)

A chance encounter at a local plant nursery transformed a simple desire for a butterfly garden into a 27-year journey with native plants. Explore a completely grass-free landscape where every corner has been converted into thriving habitat for butterflies, bees, moths, and countless other beneficial insects. 

Accessibility:  This garden can be viewed from a paved surface.

Read More About Brenda's Butterfly Garden

Member-to-Member (M2M) yard visits (aka Show Me-Tell Me) allow members to share experiences, ideas, and challenges with maintaining native plants in our landscapes. These tours help members & invited guests to learn about different natives and enjoy conversations with other native plant enthusiasts.

You planted native. Your neighbor has opinions. Maybe your HOA does too. If you’ve ever felt like the hardest part of native plant gardening is the conversations, not the gardening, you’re not alone.

Wild Ones is thrilled to share this upcoming free webinar as part of the 2026 Less Lawn More Life Challenge. Join Lorraine Johnson for a practical conversation on navigating HOA rules, addressing neighbor concerns, and fostering community conversations about native plant gardening and ecological landscapes.

We've partnered with the Schoolcraft Environmental Science Club on a community garden project at Clements Circle Park. This event is an opportunity to get your hands dirty!

Activities could include:

Removing weeds

Moving garden stones

Relocating plants

Applying mulch

This will be paired with a planting day in September. Hope to see you there!

Wayne County Wild Ones will be at the Bugtopia!

A celebration of our tiny but important six-legged friends. Inflatables, live insects, catching insects, crafts and more at this free event!

Members, if you are looking to spur excitement in native plants and their ecological importance please consider volunteering to help host the WOWC table.

Members can look forward to Member Yards Tours throughout the growing season!

This day's tour will feature not two but THREE  Dazzling Yards in Detroit and is open to all Chapter Members and also non-members.  Non-members and anyone wishing to Car Pool are asked to Register using the button below. 

The address of each yard will be communicated to both members and registered non-members approximately 48 hours before the event.

If you are bringing children, please ensure they respect the gardens and their inhabitants.

If you cannot make all three destinations, feel free to just us when you can, for as long as you can.

ADDED BONUS YARD: Evan’s Yard - 48215 (Noon) 

From skeptic to native plant enthusiast, Evan transformed heavy clay soil into a densely planted, 100% native landscape inspired by naturalistic design. Discover how more than 3,700 plants create a living habitat that is as intentional for insects and birds as it is beautiful for people.

Accessibility:  The garden is viewable from the street or sidewalk, but the narrow mulch path through the garden is narrower than a wheelchair and may even require people to “sidle” through.  Viewing from the porch requires traversing a few stairs.

Read More About Evan Yard

Yard Two:  Jen’s Yard in Hubbard Farms - 48209  (1:00pm)

A childhood surrounded by native gardens came full circle when caring for a mother’s landscape sparked a lifelong passion. Tour an evolving, experimental garden where family history, heirloom plants, and newly established natives come together in a landscape still very much in the making. 

Accessibility: There is a flagstone path from the front to the back but it's pretty level

Read More About Jen’s Yard

Yard Three:  Marianne’s Yard - 48221  (2:00pm)

What happens when someone replaces an entire lawn with native plants all at once? Tour a landscape created through curiosity, experimentation, and continual learning, where native habitat and edible plants grow side by side in a garden that's still happily evolving. 

Accessibility: Gardens are viewable from paved surfaces.

Read More About Marianne's Yard

Member yard visits (aka Show Me-Tell Me) allow members to share experiences, ideas, and challenges with maintaining native plants in our landscapes. These tours help members & invited guests to learn about different natives and enjoy conversations with other native plant enthusiasts.

At Wild Ones Wayne County (WOWC) we don't 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. 

Members will receive an invite and Zoom link via email prior to the meeting. 

Contact Steve Ray, Programs Chair with questions or ideas.

Members can look forward to Member-to-Member Garden Yard Tours throughout the growing season!

This EVENING event will feature a Naturally Beautiful Yard in New Boston and is open to all Chapter Members and also non-members.  Non-members and anyone wishing to Car Pool are asked to Register using the button below. 

The address of the yard will be communicated to both members and registered non-members approximately 48 hours before the event.

If you are bringing children, please ensure they respect the gardens and their inhabitants.

Natalie's Yard in New Boston - 48164 (7:00pm)

What began as a desire to avoid mowing an acre of lawn has grown into a thriving re-wilded landscape. Explore expanding prairie plantings, bluebird habitat, vegetable gardens, and a small farm where native plants help support wildlife, pollinators, and a healthy food web.

Accessibility:  The road is gravel, the driveway is gravel, and the backyard may have free ranging chicken droppings.

Read More About Natalie's Yard

Member-to-Member (M2M) yard visits (aka Show Me-Tell Me) allow members to share experiences, ideas, and challenges with maintaining native plants in our landscapes. These tours help members & invited guests to learn about different natives and enjoy conversations with other native plant enthusiasts.

Members can look forward to Member-to-Member Garden Yard Tours throughout the growing season!

This day's tour will feature a Phenomenal yard in Plymouth AND a curated tour of some of the Plymouth Pollinator Gardens, and is open to all Chapter Members and also non-members.  Non-members and anyone wishing to Car Pool are asked to Register using the button below. 

The address of each yard will be communicated to both members and registered non-members approximately 48 hours before the event.

If you are bringing children, please ensure they respect the gardens and their inhabitants.

Carly's Yard in Plymouth - 48170 (1:00pm)

What started with a simple question—“Where have all the butterflies gone?”—grew into a decade-long passion and a community movement. Visit the home garden that sparked it all, along with two thriving public pollinator gardens that inspired nearly 20 more across Plymouth. 

Accessibility:   The gardens can be viewed from paved surfaces.  

Parking: There is limited parking in the driveway and the hosts are checking with with the City of Plymouth for street parking permission on the day.  Otherwise, depending on the number of people that attend, folks may have to park on the next block and head over to the house.

Read More About Carly's Yard 

Lions Club Park  (2:00pm)

Burroughs St and Harding St, Plymouth, MI 48170

Accessibility:   ADA Compliant Public Park

Fire Station Park in Old Village (2:30pm)

N. Holbrook St. and E. Spring St, Plymouth, MI 48170

Accessibility:   ADA Compliant Public Park

Member-to-Member (M2M) yard visits (aka Show Me-Tell Me) allow members to share experiences, ideas, and challenges with maintaining native plants in our landscapes. These tours help members & invited guests to learn about different natives and enjoy conversations with other native plant enthusiasts.

Members can look forward to Member-to-Member Garden Yard Tours throughout the growing season!

This day's event will feature two Laudable Yards in Livonia  and is open to all Chapter Members and also non-members.  Non-members and anyone wishing to Car Pool are asked to Register using the button below. 

The address of each yard will be communicated to both members and registered non-members approximately 48 hours before the event.

If you are bringing children, please ensure they respect the gardens and their inhabitants. 

Yard One:  Laura G's Yard - 48154 (1:00pm)

(Description Coming Soon)

Yard Two:  Laura J's Yard - 48154 (2:00pm)

Explore nearly three decades of native gardening on a wooded acre along Bell Creek. Wander through an established wildlife habitat featuring towering trees, woodland wildflowers, pollinator favorites, hidden garden rooms, and creative solutions for managing deer, runoff, and invasive plants. 

Accessibility: The front yard is fully accessible.  The back yard has slopes that would be impossible for wheel chair access, but there is an accessible deck which not only offers a great view, but has its own grotto garden and secret garden. 

Read More About Laura J's Yard

Member-to-Member (M2M) yard visits (aka Show Me-Tell Me) allow members to share experiences, ideas, and challenges with maintaining native plants in our landscapes. These tours help members & invited guests to learn about different natives and enjoy conversations with other native plant enthusiasts.

Native plants are the foundation of habitat, but wildlife need more than food to thrive. Join ecologist and Certified Wildlife Biologist Shaun McCoshum, PhD, to explore how nesting sites, shelter, water, soil conditions, and other often-overlooked resources can transform a yard into a functioning ecosystem that supports biodiversity year-round.

Registration link coming soon.

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 August meeting will include discussion on:

Seeds Status Update

Seed Collection Planning

Seed Cleaning & Storage Workshop Planning

Program Donations

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

It's time for a Field Trip!

One of our Wild Ones Member  has a Micro Forest Project in Warren that looks amazing!

So, as an inter-chapter combined effort, the North Oakland Chapter and the Wayne County Chapter have arranged for an exclusive tour!

Not only will we get a chance to walk the forest and talk with the creator, after the forest tour we will head over to a nearby park for a Picnic/Pot-luck where we can also socialize and mingle with our fellow Native Plant Lovers.

Here is the schedule for the day:

10:45-11:00am Meet at Warren Micro Forest (Free parking on nearby streets)
11:00am Tour Start at Warren Micro Forest
11:45am Commute to nearby Park
12:00pm Picnic-Potluck Lunch
1:30pm  (Optional) Commute to Yard Tour in Mt Clemens
2:00pm  (Optional) Yard Tour of Shoreline Restoration Native Garden (Private Residence)
2:45pm Safe Travels Home

We will be setting up Car Pooling from various locations to make the trek to the East Side.

The locations for the Picnic and the Optional Yard Tour will be communicated to all who Register. Please use the sign-up form or click the Register link below.

Click the Read More button for more information on the Warren Micro Forest.

Members can look forward to Member-to-Member Garden Yard Tours throughout the growing season!

This day's event will feature two Stunning Yards in Southgate and is open to all Chapter Members and also non-members.  Non-members and anyone wishing to Car Pool are asked to Register using the button below. 

The address of each yard will be communicated to both members and registered non-members approximately 48 hours before the event.

If you are bringing children, please ensure they respect the gardens and their inhabitants.

Katie's Yard in Southgate - 48195 (1:00pm)

From a university interest in environmental studies to transforming a flood-prone backyard, this gardener has embraced native plants as both a practical solution and a source of wonder. Discover wet prairie blooms, a growing woodland, a wildlife pond, and lessons learned through experimentation.

Accessibility: The front gardens can be viewed from paved surfaces and grassy path to the backyard gardens is very flat.

Read More about Katie's Yard

Jen P's Yard in Southgate - 48195 (2:00pm)

See how a modest suburban yard has been transformed into a thriving wildlife habitat over the past decade. With more than 30 native plant species, every new insect discovery inspires another addition, creating a landscape designed to support an ever-growing diversity of birds and pollinators. 

Accessibility: The gardens can be viewed from paved surfaces.

Read More about Jen P's Yard

Member-to-Member (M2M) yard visits (aka Show Me-Tell Me) allow members to share experiences, ideas, and challenges with maintaining native plants in our landscapes. These tours help members & invited guests to learn about different natives and enjoy conversations with other native plant enthusiasts.

At Wild Ones Wayne County (WOWC) we don't 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. 

Members will receive an invite and Zoom link via email prior to the meeting. 

Contact Steve Ray, Programs Chair with questions or ideas.

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 September meeting will include discussion on:

Seeds Status Update

Seed Collection Planning

Seed Cleaning & Storage Workshop Planning

Program Donations

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

What does it really take to turn a conventional lawn into a thriving native meadow? Join Owner & Principal, New Directions in the American Landscape (NDAL), Sara Weaner Cooper for a candid look at her family's ongoing lawn-to-meadow transformation featured in The New York Times and BBC. Drawing from three years of hands-on experience, Sara will share the methods, lessons learned, successes, and challenges of converting turfgrass into a dynamic native plant community. Participants will gain practical insights into site preparation, planting, management, and the ecological principles that guide successful meadow establishment, along with realistic expectations for how these landscapes evolve over time.

Registration link coming soon.

Join us for our annual Seeds to Community seedling and plant swap! Bring your extra seedlings, divisions, and native plants to trade with fellow gardeners, and take home new additions for your own native garden. This is a great opportunity to diversify your plantings, connect with the community, and keep native plants moving from yard to yard.

Event hours: 

9:30–10:30 AM: members-only hour

10:30 AM–12:00 PM: open to the public

What to bring: Native species only, please. No cultivars or invasive species. Don't have anything to bring? No problem! There'll be plenty of plants to go around courtesy of the Seeds to Community program.

A note on jumping worms: To help prevent the spread of Asian Jumping Worms, please wash all soil off plant roots and bring them bare-root, or repot in fresh, sterile potting medium. No garden soil or mulch, please.

If you'd like to volunteer to help run this event fill out the registration form.

At Wild Ones Wayne County (WOWC) we don't 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. 

Members will receive an invite and Zoom link via email prior to the meeting. 

Contact Steve Ray, Programs Chair with questions or ideas.

Join us for a hands-on morning of native seed collecting at River Bend Gardens! This event supports our Seeds to Community program, gathering seed for local propagation, habitat restoration, and your own growing. No experience necessary we'll cover proper identification and collection for the species that will be available on-site. Hope to see you there!

Register using the link below. Since it is a bit of a drive, you can opt to register for carpooling as well.

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 October meeting will include discussion on:

Seeds Status Update

Seed Cleaning & Storage Workshop Planning

Winter Sowing Workshop Dates & Locations

Program Donations

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

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. 

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.

Registration link coming soon.

At Wild Ones Wayne County (WOWC) we don't 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. 

Members will receive an invite and Zoom link via email prior to the meeting. 

Contact Steve Ray, Programs Chair with questions or ideas.

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.

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. 
 

At Wild Ones Wayne County (WOWC) we don't 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. 

Members will receive an invite and Zoom link via email prior to the meeting. 

Contact Steve Ray, Programs Chair with questions or ideas.

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.