by Marypat Ehlmann
Board Member at Large and Tabling Event Chair
It’s mid-August and as our thoughts about summer begin to wane, we begin to anticipate fall. Besides watching our asters, goldenrods and other late season bloomers show their color and feed migrating pollinators, it’s time for harvest festivals and celebrations. Our chapter of Wild Ones participates in several of these festivals with an information table.
Members, volunteering at our information table is about sharing your enthusiasm and experience for native plant gardening. Willingness to talk with people is the most needed asset. Your level of experience with native plant gardening -beginner to advanced- is just what we need. You will be working with others and we all learn more from one another. Duties when volunteering at a tabling event are easy:
- acquaint people with Wild Ones mission and outreach using our 3-panel display board which explains what our St. Louis chapter does and why we do it
- answer questions as best as possible and refer people to sources of information available at our table from several different brochures
- share ideas with the concept and benefits of native plant landscaping from your own personal experience … and have fun! (Hint: each event has many other vendors/activities for you)
Here’s our fall line up of events where Wild Ones St. Louis Chapter will be participating:
FRI 9/6 – Fall Wildflower Market at Shaw Nature Reserve 2-7 p.m.
Wild Ones table will only be informational at this event.
Shifts: 1:30 – 4:30, 4:30- 7:30
THURS 9/12 – Field Day at Forrest Keeling 8-4
Info table at start and during lunch and breaks.
Workshop sessions for industry professionals as well as those wanting to learn more green techniques. Registration is necessary.
Shifts: 8-12:30, 12:30 – 4
SAT 9/14 9-7 & SUN 9/15 10-5 – Greentree Festival at Kirkwood Park
We will have some plants for sale. Plan extra time for parking or taking the shuttle.
SAT 9/14 Shifts: 8:45-10:30, 10:30 – 1:30, 1:30 – 4:30, 4:30-7:15
SUN 9/15 Shifts: 9:45 – 12:15, 12:15 – 2:30, 2:30 – 5:30
SAT 9/21 – South Grand Fall Fest 11 am – 8 pm
This is a new event for us; help us reach out to the South Grand Community at this celebration!
Shifts: 10:45 – 1:30, 1:30 – 4, 4 – 6:15
SAT 9/28 – Bring Conservation Home Native Plant Sale & Expo
Schlafly Bottleworks Maplewood 9 am – 1 pm
Major native plant vendors selling plants and a free plant area from bountiful gardens
Shifts: 8:45 – 11, 11-1:15
SAT 10/12 – iNaturalist Family Fest at Powder Valley 10 am – 2 pm
This is a new event for us where we will have fun activities for all-aged family members
Shifts: 9:45 – noon, noon – 2:15
It’s about time … please share some of your time and talent/interest in gardening with native plants by signing up for a volunteer shift at one or more of these events. Go to our website www.stlwildones.org then click on Dig In! tab and on Wild Ones Volunteer Activities for more info about each event and to sign up. Before the event you will receive an email with important specific info, such as our table/booth location, parking suggestions, and any other bits we know.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
