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.

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.

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 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 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.

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

This day's event will feature two more yards in Livonia.

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 location for each visit will be communicated to all members prior to the visit.

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

This day's event will feature two yards in Livonia.

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 location for each visit will be communicated to all members prior to the visit.

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.

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

This day's event will feature an Amazing Butterfly Garden in Westland.

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 location for each visit will be communicated to all members prior to the visit.

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.

Wayne County Wild Ones will be at the Bugtopia!

Kayaking the Rouge River is the highlight of the day.  

This FREE event is a celebration of our tiny but important six-legged friends.

Inflatables, live insects, catching insects, crafts and more!

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 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.

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! 

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.