Events

Events Archive: 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Upcoming Events

January 2026

Jan
21

Free National Webinar: "Intergenerational Care for Land and Community: A Conversation with Robin Wall Kimmerer and Esther Bonney"

Hosted by Wild Ones National
This event has ended
Wednesday, January 21st, 2026
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

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.

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Jan
22

Tri-State Driftless Annual Members Meeting Members Only

This event has ended
Thursday, January 22nd, 2026
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Members Only Chapter Annual Meeting

Annual Members meeting. Year in review and upcoming agendas.

The link has been sent to members. 

Jan
31

National Seed Swap Celebration

This event has ended
Saturday, January 31st, 2026
to (Central Time)
Carnegie-Stout Library Auditorium, 360 W 11th St, Dubuque, IA, 52001 Map

Public Welcome Family-Friendly Free Event Seed/Plant Share Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Drinking Fountains

Celebrate National Seed Swap Day with a visit to the library's third floor, where local gardening organizations will be sharing ideas, inspiration, and seeds to help you plan for the growing season ahead. 

The seeds are free, and visitors are welcome to bring seeds of their own to share. This drop in event is open to all and seeds are available while supplies last.

Wild Ones Tri-State Driftless Area will be tabling at this wonderful event. Drop by to say hello, bring your gardening questions, and pick up some free native seeds! 

February 2026

Feb
18

Free National Webinar: From Wasteland to Wonder with Basil Camu

Hosted by Wild Ones National
This event has ended
Wednesday, February 18th, 2026
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

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.!  

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March 2026

Mar
18

Free National Webinar: Rethinking Horticulture with Real Ecology presented by Joey Santore

Hosted by Wild Ones National
This event has ended
Wednesday, March 18th, 2026
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

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.

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Mar
22

Social and Sharing Event Members Only

This event has ended
Sunday, March 22nd, 2026
to (Central Time)
The Galena Territory Association Owners' Club Arts and Crafts Room - lower level, 2000 Territory Dr, Galena, IL, 61036 Map

Members Only Free Event Chapter Social Chapter Meeting

You are invited to a Tri-state Driftless Area Member Event: a social and sharing event among the members. 

Stop by for snacks and an opportunity to ask questions or share on various topics like local plants, what works in your garden, what struggles have you had? We will also have supplies if you would like to make a plant cage out of sandbar willow and grapevine. 

April 2026

Apr
25

Planting for Spring Pollinators

Saturday, April 25th, 2026
to (Central Time)
Grace Episcopal Church, Parish Hall, 107 S Prospect St, Galena, IL, 61036 Map

Public Welcome Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom

It's that time of year! Pollinators are emerging and are looking for a banquet of pollen and nectar to nourish themselves and their offspring. Adding native plants is one of the best things you can do to help.

Join us to learn about some of our favorite early looming native pollinator forbs (flowering plants), and how they are a vital substitue for non-native, lower quality landscapes.

Converting even a small patch of your lawn into a native garden will help our pollinator friends.

If you are able, please leave the parking lot for those that are less able. Parking on the street is allowed for this event.

Apr
28

Free National Webinar: What Is Wild and Why It Matters" presented by Rick Darke

Hosted by Wild Ones National
Tuesday, April 28th, 2026
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Limited Access Recording Registration Required Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

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.

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May 2026

May
9

Plant Swap and "Planting Natives in Containers" Workshop

Saturday, May 9th, 2026
to (Central Time)
Galena Public Library, 601 S Bench St, Galena, IL, 61036 Map

Public Welcome Family-Friendly Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation Seed/Plant Share Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking

Wild Ones Tri-State Driftless Area is happy  to present a workshop “Planting Natives in Containers ”at the Galena Public Library's  annual plant and seed swap.  Bring seeds and plants and swap with your neighbors. Vegetables, herbs, native plants and houseplants are welcome. Even if you don't have plants to bring, come to get plants and seeds to take home!

Planting Natives in Containers workshop begins at 11:30. You will learn how and why to plant natives in containers and take home available plants for your container!

No registration required. 

September 2026

Sep
16

Free National Webinar- September 2026

Hosted by Wild Ones National
Wednesday, September 16th, 2026
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

Details coming soon! 

October 2026

Oct
21

Free National Webinar- October 2026

Hosted by Wild Ones National
Wednesday, October 21st, 2026
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

Details coming soon! 

November 2026

Nov
18

Free National Webinar- November 2026

Hosted by Wild Ones National
Wednesday, November 18th, 2026
to (Central Time)
Online/Virtual

Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation

Details coming soon!