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.

"When you spend more time outside, you start to notice more and more. You feel connected to something larger than yourself. Then, you fall in love. And once you fall in love with something you'll want to protect it forever."

                                                                                                                      ~ Kelly Konieczki

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 sponsored by 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, cataloging all they see in iNaturalist. 

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Details 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 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.

Details 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 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.

Details 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 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.

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.