Chapter Events

In this program, we’ll cover native ground covers and other design elements to minimize maintenance time. A seasonal maintenance schedule is included in the presentation, and we’ll discuss invasive plants and aggressive natives, helping you make decisions about when to allow native volunteers to prosper and when to pull. 

As more spaces become developed and impervious surfaces increase, it will become ever more important to learn how to control water runoff. This will lessen flooding erosion and can even help reduce basement flooding. This program will show how to offset this through the use of native plants and other sources.

All are welcome to join this free virtual panel discussion exploring the vital roles of native, solitary, and honeybees in pollination and biodiversity. Featuring experts Sam Droege (USGS), Dave Hunter (Crown Bees), and Dr. Lora Morandin (Pollinator Partnership), this event will discuss into the challenges pollinators face, the balance between managed and wild bees, and actionable ways to support all pollinators.

Gain insights from over 90 years of combined experience and learn how to advocate for pollinator habitats through planting native species, participating in community science, and adopting responsible management practices.

Monthly meeting of the Board of Directors. Open to all members of our chapter.

Come, observe, and participate in the  operation of our chapter

What you'll do:

Help us propagate and care for a variety of native plants. Learn about the importance of native plants for our ecosystem. Work in a warm and welcoming greenhouse environment. Connect with other plant lovers and nature enthusiasts

Why volunteer with us?

Gain valuable experience in horticulture and conservation. Make a positive impact on our local environment. Learn new skills and knowledge about native plants. Enjoy the therapeutic benefits of working with plants. Be part of a fun and supportive community

Who we're looking for:

Anyone with a passion for plants and the environment. No prior experience is necessary, we will provide training

Let's work together to create a greener future for our community!

Site Contact: RSVP: By text or email Josh Pierce, Biologist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rivers Project, Mobile: 314-435-7550, [email protected]

Landscaping with native plants has become popular with home gardeners, but people who are not familiar with natives can find them wild, messy, or having an untidy appearance. Through plant choice, design, and maintenance, it’s important to convey the sense that a native plant garden is intentional and maintained. 

We’ll show you how to use native plants in a more formal manner, for front yard purposes. They’ll notice your beautiful garden first, which just *happens* to be native plants, giving you the opportunity to share the benefits with people and wildlife.

Spring cleanup of various beds

Public gardens hold tremendous power to influence landscaping norms and inspire change. By showcasing the beauty, functionality, and ecological value of native plants, these spaces help foster biodiversity, advocate for sustainable practices, and engage communities in environmental stewardship. 

This webinar will explore how public and demonstration gardens serve as powerful tools for native plant advocacy. Attendees will learn how gardens move beyond aesthetics to spark action—turning appreciation into engagement and inspiring participants to replicate these practices in their own communities.

We will hear insights from Nicole Machuca, Environmental Social Scientist at the Field Museum, on how public gardens influence behaviors, foster stewardship, and connect people to conservation efforts through research and community engagement. The Wild Ones Capital Region NY and the Wild Ones San Diego (CA) Chapters will share their experiences building native plant demonstration gardens and how these spaces drive community engagement, education, and advocacy. And We'll finish with a conversation exploring how public gardens create a lasting impact beyond planting day moderated by Kelly Kapuzzi, Demonstration Garden Char with the Wild Ones Hocking Hills (OH) Chapter.

This is the monthly board meeting for the chapter. All members are welcome to attend. We will discuss various committee reports, the inext winter speaker, upcoming Garden Gatherings and tabling events. 

We plan to work intensely on the c5 island by the side doors and will also address the grass island with the fire hydrant and probably the front areas close to the flag and the redbud tree. We may or may not get all of that finished depending on how many people are able to join us.

Using native plants in a vegetable garden can boost production and help with pest management. Learn the basics of pollination before diving into common garden pests, the beneficial insects that hunt them, and the native plants that will draw in those beneficial insects.

Enjoy talking to people and spreading the word about native gardening? Then volunteer to help. Contact Donna at [email protected] to sign up and get more info.

This is a meeting of the board members where we will discuss committees, tabling events, garden gatherings. 

After native lover Bill passed away, a small group of dedicated native plant people decided to help improve the “curb appeal” of the yard. 

A visit to the garden of Kay Remiker and Steve Hawkins

A short member meeting precedes our tour.

Kay reminds us that her backyard woodland garden is sloped and can be steep going down towards the creek bed that we will explore. Be prepared with good footwear and insect spray if planning to explore the woodlands beyond the main house.

Please bring plants you are willing to share, either planted from seeed in potting soil, bare root, or washed of possible jumping worms. 

A visit to the garden of Kay Remiker and Steve Hawkins

A short member meeting precedes our tour.

Kay reminds us that her backyard woodland garden is sloped and can be steep going down towards the creek bed that we will explore. Be prepared with good footwear and insect spray if planning to explore the woodlands beyond the main house.

Please bring plants you are willing to share, either planted from seeed in potting soil, bare root, or washed of possible jumping worms. 

Our first priority will be that last island, C2, which looks especially ragged right now. We plan to take out the old debris and perhaps replant the bare areas with other natives.

We will have an information and plant sale table.

Weeding and tidying up wild flower plantings 

All welcome!

Join Wild Ones National Board President Loris Damerow for a special presentation as part of Week 3 of the 2025 Less Lawn More Life Challenge, “Native Plants Planted Right.” Loris will walk us through the basics of native plant gardening- from choosing the right plants to planting and maintaining them with confidence.

Join us on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 5 p.m. CT for the YouTube Live premiere of this 30-minute webinar. Native plant experts from  Wild Ones, Plan it Wild, Homegrown National Park, ReWild Your Campus, and others will be active in the live chat throughout the presentation and for 30 minutes after the webinar, giving you plenty of time to ask questions and engage! 

This event is designed for newcomers to native gardening and is part of the national Less Lawn More Life Challenge, hosted by Plan It Wild in collaboration with Wild Ones, iNaturalist, Homegrown National Park, Pollinator Partnership  and many others! 

See more about the Less Lawn More Life Challenge:  https://www.lesslawnmorelife.com/ 

Weeding and tidying up wild flower plantings 

Chapter Board members meet to plan projects and events. 

Members are welcome and encouraged to attend. 

Planting new plants donated by Missouri Master Naturalists

Join us to enjoy another member's garden

Tabling event to inform the public about our mission. No plant sales.

Contact Donna Horsford, [email protected] if you would like to help

Tour Kathleen's garden

The closing event of this year’s Less Lawn More Life Challenge, will be led by Lisa Olsen, Chapter Liaison at Wild Ones. In this webinar, you’ll learn how small, personal actions like planting native species and removing invasives, can ripple outward to inspire neighbors, change policies, and reshape communities. 

During the premiere, native plant experts from Wild Ones and collaborating organizations will be active in the live chat. They’ll be ready to answer questions, share tips, and connect viewers with resources. The live chat will remain open for 30 minutes after the webinar, giving you plenty of time to ask questions and engage. Please note: You must be logged into a YouTube account to participate in the chat. 

The Less Lawn More Life Challenge is a free, 12-week action series designed to help people transform traditional lawns into vibrant, life-supporting native plant habitat. Each week, participants complete a simple challenge like planting a native shrub, removing invasives, or observing pollinators to reimagine their outdoor space and take meaningful steps toward restoring biodiversity at home. 

It’s not too late to get involved. Catch up on the weekly videos and start your rewilding journey today at https://www.lesslawnmorelife.com/ 

Monthly Board Meeting open to all members.

Notes from Kelly & Derek:
We have lived in our home for 8 years and began planting natives 5 years ago. We became interested in natives after reading Doug Tallamy’s, “Nature’s Best Hope” during COVID. Some invasive species that we removed include 4 Bradford pear trees, burning bush and Amur maple. Our front yard is full sun with a pollinator garden in the middle of the yard. There are natives on both sides of the house, two pollinator gardens in the back, natives in all of the landscaped areas along fencing. There is a water source on the deck and next to the garage. We have a small vegetable garden with tomatoes and jalapeños. There is a bench for sitting under the rough leaf dogwood. Some of our favorite natives include bee balm, purple coneflower for the goldfinches and Missouri primrose. Our future plans may include a permanent water feature. We are running out of space, but always finding ways to add things.
Our favorite books and resources include anything by Doug Tallamy, Dave Tylka’s, “Native Landscaping for Wildlife and People” and the STL Audubon Society’s “Bring Conservation Home” program.

Notes from Kelly & Derek:
We have lived in our home for 8 years and began planting natives 5 years ago. We became interested in natives after reading Doug Tallamy’s, “Nature’s Best Hope” during COVID. Some invasive species that we removed include 4 Bradford pear trees, burning bush and Amur maple. Our front yard is full sun with a pollinator garden in the middle of the yard. There are natives on both sides of the house, two pollinator gardens in the back, natives in all of the landscaped areas along fencing. There is a water source on the deck and next to the garage. We have a small vegetable garden with tomatoes and jalapeños. There is a bench for sitting under the rough leaf dogwood. Some of our favorite natives include bee balm, purple coneflower for the goldfinches and Missouri primrose. Our future plans may include a permanent water feature. We are running out of space, but always finding ways to add things.
Our favorite books and resources include anything by Doug Tallamy, Dave Tylka’s, “Native Landscaping for Wildlife and People” and the STL Audubon Society’s “Bring Conservation Home” program.

Monthly Board meeting. All members invited.

Notes from Jenna and Steve:
We have lived in our home for 2 years and started planting with natives 1 year ago. My husband and I are very passionate about conservation and sustainability. We wanted to create a space that was beneficial to all pollinators and create a suburban prairie of sorts. So many prairies in Missouri have been lost over the last 100 or so years and we would like to help bring them back in our own small way. We have enjoyed spreading the word about our mission and encouraging our neighbors to plant natives as well.

Notes from Jenna and Steve:
We have lived in our home for 2 years and started planting with natives 1 year ago. My husband and I are very passionate about conservation and sustainability. We wanted to create a space that was beneficial to all pollinators and create a suburban prairie of sorts. So many prairies in Missouri have been lost over the last 100 or so years and we would like to help bring them back in our own small way. We have enjoyed spreading the word about our mission and encouraging our neighbors to plant natives as well.

Some general clean up will be done as well as making plans for next year. Signs are being ordered to identify  some of the plants and also to credit St. Charles Wild Ones for the planning and continuing care of the native plantings.

Please text (314) 550-0931 or email Mary Meinhardt
([email protected]) with questions or volunteer information.

Discover how ecological landscaping with native plants can make your landscape more resilient and help address the climate crisis. This webinar will highlight practical, evidence-based approaches to designing and maintaining landscapes that build resilience to climate change and support native biodiversity. Join Wild Ones for a free webinar, “EcoBeneficial Landscape Strategies for the Climate Crisis,” featuring environmental horticulturalist and ecological landscape designer Kim Eierman.

What a beautiful day to shop the market and bring the kiddos for the bounce house! Food, Music and awesome vendor

Please come out and enjoy an educational, inspiring time at this year's Pollinator Palooza! It is taking  place at Weldon Springs Interpretive Site on September 27th from 10am - 3pm. There will be vendors, educational booths and food trucks for you to enjoy as well. We have partnered with MDC and St. Charles County Parks to bring you lots of wonderful children's activities.
Please bring yourselves, your children, grandchildren and your neighbors. There will be native plants to purchase as well. Please go to www.missouripollinatornetwork.com for more info.

Please email Donna Horsford at ( [email protected] ) if you can help!

Enjoy a day of old-time music and outdoor festivities at the St. Charles County Parks Fall Harvest Festival.

Enjoy a day of old-time music and outdoor festivities at the St. Charles County Parks Fall Harvest Festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7 at Broemmelsiek Park! Festival-goers can explore the craft of woodworking and view historical demonstrations, fill a basket with produce from the Agricultural Garden, build an inexpensive wreath to take home, enjoy a fun corn maze, and purchase pumpkins and other goods from participating vendors. Tickets for hayrides, wreath making, and filling a produce bag are available at the registration table for a fee. Admission is free!

Even after reading books and attending talks, many still have pressing questions about ecological landscaping. In this talk, Tallamy addresses common concerns on biodiversity, invasive species, native plants, and conservation strategies, providing practical guidance and motivation to restore nature in everyday spaces. 

Details coming soon!