2010: The Year to Grow Wild Ones

As an organization, we have accomplished much through:

• The courage and enthusiasm of new members willing to consider a different approach to landscaping their own yards.
• The time, hard work, and commitment of our volunteers.
• The skills and enormous dedication of our staff.
• The financial help of many who support our vision.

During the past year, contributions to Wild Ones have provided funding for important accomplishments. In addition to continuing to providing members with our top-notch magazine, the Wild Ones Journal, in 2009, we:

• Processed over one hundred Seeds for Education grant applications, awarded six thousand dollars in grants, and changed the SFE grant program to the e-format now in use.
• Began design of a new web site.
• Constructed entrance gardens for the Wild Ones Institute for Learning and Development (WILD Center) and a parking area, and received our first renter.
• Developed and adopted a new Vision Statement for Wild Ones that will serve as the starting point of our 2010 Growing Wild Ones campaign.

In 2010 we hope to Grow Wild Ones through a promotional campaign aimed at convincing the general public to grow native plants, increasing Wild Ones’ recognition and membership, and promoting the new WILD Center in the Fox River Valley, Wisconsin.

These things will more readily be accomplished with the generosity of our members in your annual donations.

To be truly successful we need every member's participation. Donations to Wild Ones will support our efforts to Grow Wild Ones. As we celebrate thirty years of Wild Ones, thank you again for your continued support. Your membership and your affirmation are greatly appreciated.

-- Carol Andrews, Wild Ones National President

P.S. You can download the full text of our Wild Ones Vision and Values Statement or read it the bottom of this webpage.

JOIN WILD ONES. RENEW. UPGRADE. GET A FREE DVD AND/OR FREE BOOK.

To kick off the Grow Wild Ones Campaign for 2010, we have updated, revamped, and reproduced the popular Wild About Wildflower video in DVD format. And now, this amazing video is available free when you join Wild Ones, or renew your membership at an upgraded level.

Because many of our long-time members have already received this helpful video, we are offering the DVD version free to new members, as an enticement to join Wild Ones. We want to -- no, we need to -- get Wild Ones membership over the 3,000-member hump.

This great video for all Wild Ones members, new or old, lets you get dirt on your hands without getting dirty. This video will help anyone to:

• Identify native wildflowers and grasses.
• Design and prepare the planting site.
• Grow and nurture wildflowers and grasses.
• Plan for long-term maintenance.
• Enhance their landscaping to make it a habitat.
• Enjoy year-round beauty in their back yard, neighborhood, and schools or businesses.

Renewing members get a free book
Renewing members will receive a free copy of our 25th anniversary commemorative 4-color book of wonderful photos and stories from Wild Ones’ first 25 years, 25 Years of Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes.

Upgrading members get both
Renew at the Wilder level, and get the Wild About Wildflowers DVD free.
Renew at the Wildest level, and get both the DVD and the 25-year book free.

Don't wait -- do it now!
To join online.

The 14th Annual Natural Landscaping Conference sponsored by Fox Valley Area Chapter of Wild Ones will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at the Oshkosh Convention Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

In addition to the 10 featured speakers, there will be exhibitors and vendors of native landscaping organizations, products and services and a Silent Auction.

8:00-8:45AM Registration (Exhibits, Silent Auction, Concessions)
8:45-9:00AM Welcome and Announcements
Keynote begins 9:00AM; last session ends 4:00PM

The keynote address "WISCONSIN'S GREEN QUILT: PATTERNS OF NATIVE PLANT COMMUNITIES" will be presented by Dr James A Reinartz, Director, UW Milwaukee Field Station and Adjunct Professor Biological Sciences, UWM. Dr Reinartz will examine the major forces that structure our natural plant communities. Wisconsin is an ecologically exciting place where three of the earth's eight major biomes meet. The grasslands of the Great Plains, the rich deciduous forest of southeastern North America, and the coniferous boreal forest of the north all meet in our State.

Other speaker presentations include: "THE NATURE OF QUILTS" – Anita Carpenter has spoken here before on butterflies and pond critters. She returns to share her newest passion – the creation of original quilts depicting the world of nature that she loves so much. The quilts will come along for inspiration.

"SAVANNAH RESTORATION AT THE NECEDAH NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE" – Refuge biologist Rich King tells us that the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge has tropical, arctic, and Great Plains plants and animals. The challenge is to accommodate and manage the habitat for all plants and to restore the plants and wildlife that have been lost.

"FROM SEED TO FLOWER: GROWING YOUR OWN NATIVE PLANTS" – Connie Ramthun of Kettle Moraine Natural Landscaping invites you to learn about many aspects of growing native plants, including seed collecting, cleaning and propagation. Examples will be shown of how seedlings are grown in a greenhouse, coldframe, and wildflower gardens.

"MANAGING FLOODPLAINS AND FLOODWAYS: MORE THAN JUST CONVEYANCE CHANNELS" – David Fowler, Senior Project Manager with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, says that now is the critical time for the protection of our water resources. His presentation will discuss a new paradigm for managing floodways and floodplains.

"INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL: A MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE " – Jesse Bennett, Co-owner of Driftless Land Stewardship LLC, will discuss the synergistic benefits of integrating multiple management practices, both direct (e.g. herbicide, cutting) and indirect (e.g. stimulating competition, altering community form and function), into a comprehensive natural areas management strategy.

"PROPAGATION OF NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS" – Michael Yanny will discuss how he propagates native woody plants at Johnson's Nursery, from seed collection and processing to training of plants in the production fields.

"UP IN SMOKE: FIRE AND THE TALLGRASS PRAIRIE ECOSYSTEM" – Fire is a critical natural process that has shaped and maintained grassland ecosystems for millennia. Jessica Bolwahn, President of the Coulee Region Chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts, will discuss the natural history of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem in North America, the importance of fire and its effects on the system, as well as the use of prescribed fire for maintaining remnant and planted prairies.

"EVOLUTION OF MY NATIVE SUBURBAN YARD" – Art specialist and sustainability instructor Annette Robertson points out that we have a voluntary responsibility and authentic opportunity to protect the water that falls on our property, to preserve the biodiversity and to nourish the soil. This lifestyle of stewardship nurtures all forms of life from a single cell to complex systems.

"INSECTS: THE SECRET LIFE OF A PRAIRIE" – Linda Williams, Forest Health Specialist at the Wisconsin DNR, knows that most of you have probably seen the large showy insects like butterflies, bees, wasps, and assorted grasshoppers that frequent your prairies, but asks whether you have ever looked more closely to see what other insects are utilizing your plants? Insects need prairie plants for shelter, food, places to lay eggs or pupate, places to hunt and forage, and places to set up an ambush. Some insects use the prairie in the evening for mating rituals or to avoid predators. Come learn about some of the hidden life that you can find in your prairie if you only take the time to look more closely.

Pre-registration:
Member $23
Nonmember $28
Fulltime Student $10 with school ID

At the door:
Member $28
Nonmember $33
Fulltime Student $15 with school ID

Buffet Lunch: $13 Reservations due by January 22, 2010

Toward Harmony with Nature Registration Flyer

Click here to register on-line now using your credit card.

Questions about registration? Call Judy Peters at 920-525-2236
Questions about the conference? Call Karen Syverson at 920-987-5587

Spring Conference 2010
Saturday, February 27, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Radisson Hotel Roseville, 2540 North Cleveland Ave., Roseville

The St. Croix Oak Savanna and Twin Cities chapters of Wild Ones are partnering with the Minnesota Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (MASLA), and "Blue Thumb-Planting for Clean Water" to present this event.

Each of our speakers is an author and advocate for renewing the ecosystems that are our yards, gardens and landscapes. Together they will discuss the latest research on symbiotic relationships between native plants and soils, microorganisms, insects and wildlife. With thoughtful design, these elements work together to create robust landscapes and healthy communities.

Douglas Tallamy: "Nature Happens Here"
Ed Plaster: "Soil Restoration"
Welby Smith: "Trees and Shrubs for our Area"
Evelyn Hadden: "Natural Habitat for Humans and other Species"

Our speakers advocate for understanding and renewing ecosystems. They will discuss recent research on the interdependence of native plants with soils, microorganisms, insects and wildlife. With thoughtful design, these elements create robust landscapes and healthy communities above and below ground. Also featured are exhibitors from native plant nurseries, natural landscape designers and environmental organizations. Please join us for an exciting day of ideas in preparation for spring.

Space is limited. Sign up early.
Registration information and program details are posted on our conference website.
Register by Feb. 22nd by mail or on-line.
Cost is $40 for Wild Ones and MASLA members, $45 nonmembers, and $20 fulltime students. Price includes buffet lunch. For additional information call 612-293-3833 or email.

At our recent Strategy Planning Meeting, the national board approved a Vision and Values Statement for Wild Ones.

Wild Ones Mission: Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes promotes environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities. Wild Ones is a not-for-profit environmental education and advocacy organization.

Wild Ones Vision for Our Future: To become a widely recognized voice for native plants and the sustainable landscaping movement, promoting increased use of native plantings that create living landscapes through grassroots efforts by example, education, marketing, and personalized support.

• We will raise public awareness regarding the benefits that native plants, including trees, shrubs, wildflowers and grasses, offer in a variety of settings so landscaping with native plants becomes the norm rather than the exception.

• We will persuade the general public that including native plants in home and public landscapes is aesthetically pleasing and healthier for our environment, and that reducing unnecessary turf grass reduces stormwater runoff and unnecessary use of water, fuel, and lawn chemicals.

• We will see the use of native plants extend into an increasing number of areas where plants touch the soil - such as pollinator support and public places.

• We will join forces with others to preserve native plants and biodiversity from loss due to development and other forces, including displacement by non-native invasive plants.

Interpretation:

• Widely recognized: Means getting our name and what we do in front of the general public over and over until it is as commonly understood as "Audubon Society = Birds."

• Leading voice: Means that we are the group most people think of first when they need information, advice, or support on the "how to" or benefits of landscaping with native plants.

• Join forces: When it comes to preserving native plants from loss due to habitat destruction and other related causes we will collaborate with other groups who take on such efforts as their primary mission to lend our support. We understand that the survival of native plants in the long term may depend on these efforts. However, Wild Ones' core focus will be to support native-plant community restoration through education.

Wild Ones Core Values:

Respect: Our mission stems from our respect for the other species on this planet and future generations. We will treat each other - our staff, members and volunteers - with respect at all times. We respect different tastes in landscaping but also ask that others show respect for the common good by considering how they can conserve resources and improve the environment via the inclusion of native plants in their landscapes.

Personalized support: our members value the opportunity for direct contact with other Wild Ones members and the ability to "learn locally." This sets Wild Ones apart from many similar organizations. Networking and education are our most important functions.

Appreciation - Volunteers R Us: To keep our dues low and our efforts local, Wild Ones is a grass-roots organization that runs primarily on volunteer effort. We will continue to rely on volunteers to carry our mission forward. We will support our volunteers and recognize their efforts, especially those in volunteer leadership positions.

All members are valuable members: At the national level our income is largely derived from member dues and donations. We appreciate all members, respecting that everyone has varying priorities and demands on their time which impact their ability to volunteer.

Fresh and Adaptable: While we stay focused on our core abilities and goals we will continually look for and solicit ideas from our Board, our members and honorary directors for new strategies that we might use to further our goal of promoting sustainable landscape practices.

WILD ONES HAS A NEW HOME

In June 2008 we closed on the rest of the Wild Ones Ecology Center site which enables us to move our headquarters to a permanent facility with plenty of space for demonstration gardens and other restoration efforts for the riparian woodland and marsh. But we still have lots of work to do to make the facility handicap accessible before we can move in, so please keep your donations coming in to offset the expenses. To donate.

A RARE OPPORTUNITY has befallen Wild Ones in becoming the owner of this valuable property on the west shore of Little Lake Butte des Morts near our current headquarters. Because this property is located in the area already designated as West Shore Preserves, we are calling this property the West Shore Preserves Environmental Center.

Wild Ones will has been able to assume ownership of this property through grants from the Trustees Council for the Fox River and from the Habitat Area funds from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and very generous donations from Wild Ones members. The overall goal of the Environmental Center is to involve citizens in the protection and restoration of habitats associated with the Fox River ecosystem which is part of the Great Lakes Watershed.

Our purpose in creating the Center is to provide both an indoor and outdoor “home” for organizations, individuals and students who are working on projects and/or learning about about ways to protect and restore the environmental quality of life in our communities.

HELP US MAKE IT HAPPEN!

For more information about this very significant opportunity for Wild Ones, go to Wild Ones EcoCenter.

Please join us in our good fortune to be part of this rare opportunity. If you have questions e-mail us at Preserve.

If you want to volunteer your services in helping to fulfill all the requirements related to opening the center (grant writing, invasive weeds removal, carpentry, gardening, etc) e-mail us at Help Us Make It Happen.

If you wish to donate toward the fulfillment of the amenities (gardens, boardwalk, computer center, laboratory, library, etc) which will eventually be part of the West Shore Preserves Environmental Center please go to Help Us Make It Happen!.