Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes is a national nonprofit organization promoting environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration, and establishment of native plant communities.
Ann Arbor Wild Ones (A2WO), one of more than 100 Wild Ones chapters nationwide, is dedicated to educating and advocating for biodiversity throughout the Huron River Valley and surrounding areas. We offer a variety of programs, tours, and special events throughout the year to promote sustainable landscaping practices using plants native to our region.
Chapter History
The Ann Arbor chapter was founded on July 2, 1995. Originally called Michigan Wild Ones, ours was the first Wild Ones chapter in Michigan and the third chapter in the nation. Four Wild Elders, including Bob Grese and Jeannine Palms, helped bring the notion of native plants and natural landscaping to this area. They inspired us then and continue to do so.
Our chapter first served as a nexus for native plant enthusiasts in this area. We are now happily one of many organizations who share a passion for environmentally friendly gardening and for preserving and restoring our natural landscapes and habitats. We work and play with members of other WO chapters that have grown across Michigan and neighboring Ohio. We continue to link with The Stewardship Network, Wildflower Association of Michigan, and the Michigan Botanical Club. Members can become Master Rain Gardeners through the excellent program started by Susan Bryan (our past president) through Washtenaw County. Review the opportunities for learning and volunteer stewardship.
Programs and Meetings
Monthly Meetings, September-March
Second Wednesday of the month, 6:45 p.m., Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Our indoor meetings feature presentations to inform and inspire attendees, and they provide a forum for native plant enthusiasts to connect with each other. Please check the Events tab on the top navigation bar of the Upcoming Events bar on the right for a listing for each meeting. These meetings are free and open to the public.
Monthly Outings, April-August
In spring and summer, we convene at least once a month at outdoor locations including member gardens, native plant nurseries, and nature preserves. Day of the week and time vary; please check the Events tab on the top navigation bar or the Upcoming Events bar on the right for a listing for each outing. When possible, the April-August outings are free and open to the public, but some are members-only.
Our Home Base – Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Matthaei Botanical Gardens of the University of Michigan generously gives us a free place to meet; shares information about our programs; and offers rich opportunities to learn more about native plants through either classes or volunteering. Come early to our September-March meetings and enjoy strolling from the tropics to the desert in the conservatory.
Visit the Know Before You Go page for current information on hours and parking fees, which cover admission to the Matthaei conservatory and grounds. (Members of Matthaei Botanical Gardens park free.)
Resources for Plants
The Resources tab on the top navigation bar features various businesses and organizations that provide us with native plants and designs our gardens, burn our prairies, and preserve our landscapes. Our group is also inspired by Douglas Tallamy’s Bringing Nature Home. Tallamy urges us to go beyond the reshaping of our backyards into refuges for birds, bugs, and butterflies to linking these up with neighboring properties creating corridors of refugia.
Network and Notices
Our Extended Community and Listserv
[email protected]
The Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN) hosts our listserv, which comprises 400+ participants ranging from native landscape professionals, volunteers, and members of companion organizations to people just discovering natural landscapes. We share ideas, offers to swap or gift plants and seeds, and information about upcoming Wild Ones events, useful resources, and more. Anyone who is interested in these topics can sign up to join the community; membership in Ann Arbor Wild Ones is not required (but we hope you will join us!).
To JOIN the listserv, please email [email protected]; please include “Add to A2WO listserv” in the Subject Line.
To UNSUBSCRIBE from the listserv, please email [email protected].
Membership
The Join tab on the top navigation bar describes the benefits of membership and provides links for joining Wild Ones or renewing your membership.
Contact Us
Emails sent to [email protected] go to the members of the Ann Arbor Wild Ones Board:
Marta Manildi, President
Loris Damerow, Vice-President
Bob Hauser, Director
Wayne Jones, Treasurer
Meg Delaney, Secretary
Janet Max, Membership Chair, Website Coordinator, Communications Coordinator