List compiled by Dawn Weber
Member-at-Large, Wild Ones – St. Louis Chapter
Summer is here, and local native plant and pollinator events are in full swing! There are plenty of opportunities for learning something new, seeing something through fresh eyes, or supporting our mission within the community.
Here’s a rundown of activities that may be of interest. Be sure to see the sponsoring organizations’ links for more information including meeting location. Most of these programs are free and open to the public.
St. Louis Community College at Meramec 
Watch for the fall continuing education schedule to be posted around July 25, 2016. The Nature and Gardening and Horticulture sections have classes of interest to our members.
Wildflower Walk: Hidden Creek Savanna
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Join Forest Park Forever staff for informal, fun, and educational plant walks that will explore the many native wildflowers found within Forest Park’s nature reserves. More than 500 native plant species occur within their nature reserves, and they are discovering more every year.
Come out for a walk to test your knowledge, learn about the amazing diversity found within the hidden gems of Forest Park, and maybe make a new discovery yourself. All ages and skill levels are welcome.
Registration is preferred – RSVP to Jean Turney jturney@forestparkforever.org
Held rain or shine (may be canceled in severe weather or at staffs’ discretion.
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Monarchs: King of the Butterflies!
Saturday, July 30, 2016
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Butterflies are amazing animals that call the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary home! This free family program on our butterfly friends focuses on the amazing Monarch butterfly. You’ll have the chance to CATCH some of these beautiful creatures! This program will be both inside and outside of the center so dress for the weather.
Please RSVP for this program with Julie Watson at jwatson@audubon.org.
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Diversity of Missouri Native Bees at Rolling Ridge Nursery
Saturday, August 6, 2016
1:00 p.m.
Experience the diversity of Missouri native bees. Did you know Missouri has more than 400 species of bees? These bees range in size from as small as a cookie crumb to as large as a half dollar. They come in a rainbow of colors and designs as well. In addition to being diverse and beautiful, they are the most effective pollinators for your garden! Come learn all about these buzzing beauties in your backyard and how you can help attract and feed them in a short presentation.
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Pollinator Pantry, Gardening for Pollinators
Presented by St. Louis County Parks Ambassador Mary Ann Fink
Friday, August 12, 2016
10:00 a.m.
Sugar Creek Gardens
Meet Mary Ann Fink, Environmental Horticulturalist and Habitat Specialist. Mary Ann will fill you in on the outstanding St. Louis County Parks program Pollinator Pantry Garden. St. Louis County Parks is sharing their “butterfly foodie” lists and their “how to’s” so you too can cater to St. Louis’s butterflies and caterpillars! Learn the plants butterflies love, along with the different butterflies that will call your garden home.
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Monarch Mania–Gardening For Wildlife
Saturday, August 13, 2016
10:00 a.m.
Sugar Creek Gardens
Turn your yard into an oasis for hummingbirds, butterflies, birds, and other wildlife by enhancing your gardens with nectar-rich blooms, plump berries, and decorative seeds. Learn about the Missouri natives and others plants that wildlife find irresistible.
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Bee Hotel Workshop: Build homes for our native buzzing friends
Saturday, August 13, 2016
10:00 a.m.
Rolling Ridge Nursery
Many of our native Missouri bee species are actually solitary bees. Many of these bees make their homes in small wooden holes, like those in old tree logs or perennial plant stalks. We can help bees nest in more urbanized environments by providing bee hotels for them! In return they will help your garden stay healthy and increase your vegetable/fruit yields. Come make one of these homes with us at this free workshop.
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In addition to the Native Plant School at Shaw Nature Reserve, there are other classes offered through the Missouri Botanical Garden on topics that relate to our mission. Some examples include:
Create a Critter Home
Friday August 19, 2016
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Shaw Nature Reserve
Wildflower Identification and Ecology
Saturday, August 20, 2016
8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Shaw Nature Reserve
Watch for the fall schedule to be posted around August 1, 2016
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Breakfast in the Garden
Saturday, August 27, 2016
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
U City in Bloom and St. Louis Audubon’s Bring Conservation Home program invite you to a native plant landscaping open house in the bird garden behind Centennial Commons. This event is free and open to the public. Donations will be greatly appreciated!
Stroll through the garden with coffee, juice, or a light breakfast. Engage one of our native plant experts on how to improve your own landscape for the benefit of birds, bees, and butterflies and your own enjoyment. See many attractive native flowers, shrubs, trees, and grasses in a variety of combinations, sizes, and garden conditions.
Our Wild Ones – St. Louis Chapter will have a table at this event.
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Pollinator Party!
Saturday, August 27, 2016
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
West Alton, MO
Pollinators are SUPER important to us! Bring your family and learn about different pollinators and how to plant a pollinator garden! Games, crafts, and fun to be had by all! This program will be inside and outside so dress for the weather.
Please RSVP for this program with Julie Watson at jwatson@audubon.org.
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Gardening for Songbirds
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Thursday, September 1, 2016
10:00 a.m.
Papillon Perennials (Facebook page)
Phone: 636-273-9688
Learn the most important plants to attract songbirds.
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Steinberg Prairie: Summer Wildflowers
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Join Forest Park Forever staff for informal, fun, and educational plant walks that will explore the many native wildflowers found within Forest Park’s nature reserves. More than 500 native plant species occur within their nature reserves, and they are discovering more every year. Come out for a walk to test your knowledge, learn about the amazing diversity found within the hidden gems of Forest Park, and maybe make a new discovery yourself. All ages and skill levels are welcome.
Registration is preferred – RSVP to Jean Turney jturney@forestparkforever.org
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Shaw Nature Reserve Fall Wildflower Market
Friday, September 9, 2016
4:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Admission: Adults $5 Seniors $3 Missouri Botanical Garden / Shaw Nature Reserve Members Free
The Shaw Wildflower Market is geared for new and experienced gardeners and people looking for locally made products for a greener community, including Wildflowers from Missouri Wildflower Nursery, Wine, Bread, Meats, Art, Crafts and more.
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Landscaping with Native Trees and Shrubs
by Betty Struckhoff (St. Louis Master Gardener and member of our Wild Ones chapter!)
Friday, September 23, 2016
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Hosted by University of Illinois Extension Illinois Master Naturalists
Collinsville Extension Office, 1 Regency Plaza Ste 200, Collinsville, IL 62234 (map)
Phone: 618-344-4230 for more info
Open to the public
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3rd Annual Native Plant Expo
Saturday, September 24, 2016
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Schlafly Bottleworks
The St. Louis Audubon Society’s Bring Conservation Home program is coordinating this exciting opportunity for the public to pick up some free Missouri native plants and seeds, bring some to share, purchase others, and learn from a variety of partner organizations.
Our Wild Ones chapter will have a table at this event.
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Deer Lake Savanna: Grasses
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Join Forest Park Forever staff for informal, fun, and educational plant walks that will explore the many native wildflowers found within Forest Park’s nature reserves. More than 500 native plant species occur within their nature reserves, and they are discovering more every year. Come out for a walk to test your knowledge, learn about the amazing diversity found within the hidden gems of Forest Park, and maybe make a new discovery yourself. All ages and skill levels are welcome.
Registration is preferred – RSVP to Jean Turney jturney@forestparkforever.org
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Honeysuckle Sweep for Healthy Habitat
A Community Initiative to promote, protect, and plan for biodiversity throughout the greater St. Louis region
October 29 through November 6, 2016
In an effort to energize the greater St. Louis region around improving habitat for our native plants and animals, area conservation organizations join together to spotlight invasive bush honeysuckle and the need to remove it so that large swaths of land can become productive areas for native habitat, recreation, and enjoyment. To that end, organizations host public events and volunteer removal days during Honeysuckle Sweep Weeks.
Watch for our Wild Ones – St. Louis Chapter to plan a honeysuckle removal event!
