Events

Fall is a great time to learn about, buy, and plant native plants! It's also a great time for the Plant Native! festival, which celebrates native plants, the ecosystems they support, and local organizations working hard to protect our environment. Free and open to the public, the festival offers educational booths and presentations, activities for kids,  a tree giveaway, and vouchers that guests can redeem when purchasing native plants from native plant vendors during the event. 

This annual event is planned by a collaboration of partnering organizations in the Plant RVA Natives regional campaign and hosted by by Keep Henrico Beautiful, Dorey Park Farmers Market and Henrico County Recreation & Parks.  

As a partner organization that participates on the steering committee for this festival, our Wild Ones chapter will be onsite--and encourages everyone interested in native plants to come and enjoy the festiva! There is no registration and no cost to attend. 

Chapter members also are invited to volunteer to help with our exhibit or with other aspects of the festival (signup link provided).

Wild Ones Greater Richmond Chapter will host Ethan Skuches, who will present on some fascinating research about understanding, monitoring, and adapting to the shifting of species’ ranges in response to climate change. Ethan's doctoral research centers around Nyssa sylvatica (Black Tupelo/Blackgum)--a native tree with a wide range (from Canada to Florida) and that is increasingly popular in urban and suburban plantings because of its tolerance for compacted urban soils, periodic flooding, and temporary drought conditions.

The NYSSA Project (Navigating the Yearly Shifting of Species’ Areas) asks questions about assisted migration like "How far can we move facultative species? Do different populations encode differing resiliencies?" Using blackgum as a proxy for other facultative tree species, the research investigates the tree's adaptive capacity to respond to rapid environmental change. The project also includes opportunities for guided participation and contributions by citizen scientists!

Join us during Richmond Tree week to learn more about a very special native tree and how it can help us prepare for the future.

Planting native species is an important step toward creating habitat, but how can you tell what’s working, what’s missing, and where to focus your efforts next?

Join Wild Ones and Wildr Places for The Habitat Check-up, a free webinar exploring a practical, science-informed approach to evaluating your home landscape. Presenter Zoe Evans will introduce five key areas to consider when assessing habitat and share how thoughtful observations can help guide your next steps.

Whether you’re just getting started with native plants or have been gardening for years, this webinar will help you look at your landscape through a new lens.

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

Registration link coming soon.

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

Registration link coming soon. 

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

Registration link coming soon.