Events

Considered a keystone species, oak trees support more critical habitat than any other North American tree. They are one of the most valuable tree types providing a strong sense of place in the Midwest, and are the National Tree of the United States. However, oaks are in decline. 

We will host a screening of “The Nature of Oaks,” by Doug Tallamy. This 50-minute video will help you discover why oak trees are biodiversity powerhouses and will show you how to restore nature right in your own yard, no matter its size. You may find it is the perfect tree for your landscape.

After the screening there will be a question-and-answer session led by Emily Lubcke, Natural Resource Manager of the Galena Territory Association.

Wild Ones mission is to connect people and native plants for a healthy planet. Wild Ones Tri-State Driftless Area is glad to have Bill Meyer join us to present concepts and practices homeowners can implement to help pollinators and birds thrive in your yards. Bill is passionate about creating a healthy wildlife habitat and his presentation will touch on native plants, and more, to help in your own backyard. 

Bill Meyer has an education in crop sciences, environmental water science, environmental ecology and pollination. Bill is employed as a District Conservationist. His duties include providing technical guidance to landowners on managing conservation reserve program plantings (prairie plantings). 

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.

Join Wild Ones Tri-State Driftless Area as we hear from Shannon McGaw about dead hedges. 

Dead hedges have been around for hundreds of years, initially built using sturdy limbs to delineate between properties. The hedge is filled between two rows of upright limbs with garden debris. The hedge material then creates spaces for all kinds of bugs, animals, and other critters to live and flourish as well as creates a windbreak allowing new plants to thrive. Anyone can easily build a dead hedge in their yard using the available detritus from gardening efforts and keeping it out of the landfill.

Shannon has been an avid gardener off and on for several years. To her utter delight, she moved into a new house already having a dead hedge in the back yard! So began her journey to become more knowledgeable about what a dead hedge is and what it can do for all kinds of native wildlife! 

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.

Native landscapes are becoming more popular in recent years and native shrubs are considered to be the backbone of a healthy ecosystem. They provide food and habitat for wildlife, anchor the soil and thrive with minimal maintenance. 

Join Wild Ones Tri-State Driftless Area to learn about native shrubs that will provide habitat, prevent erosion and thrive with minimal care. From large shrubs that can be used for screening to small shrubs for a limited space, you’ll discover shrubs that are perfect for your landscape!

This event is co-hosted with  the Dubuque Arboretum.

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.

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.

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.