The work of the Wild Ones St. Louis Chapter is accomplished exclusively by volunteers, sometimes in conjunction with regional partners. The Chapter’s Board of Directors leads the way, guiding the direction of the Chapter’s activities.
Our board consists of four officers plus a maximum of four members-at-large. Officers serve two-year terms and are elected in November.
Our dedicated board members, committee chairs and coordinators of on-going efforts and special projects devote many hours, as well as social and intellectual effort, to the goals of our chapter.
Board meetings are held about eight times each year and are listed on our website calendar. Anyone is welcome to attend/participate.
This Who’s Who in the St. Louis Chapter of Wild Ones is intended to acquaint our members and others in the community with the folks who are leading our work. The hope is that it will help everyone feel comfortable about reaching out to ask questions, make suggestions, or volunteer to be a part of the work.
We invite you to meet the following:
Marsha Gebhardt, President
I jumped into native plants and St. Louis Wild Ones with both feet and at the same time. Fran Glass inspired me at the Partners Native Landscaping Workshop in 2013. That fall I hired Native Landscape Solutions to do a total makeover of my front yard; out with the zoysia and in with about 600 native plants. I became a member of the board of the St. Louis chapter in 2014, and president in 2016.. Our chapter and our mission have become a passion. Meanwhile, digging in the soil, and learning about and observing native plants and wildlife have become great pleasures in my life.
Dawn Weber, Vice President and Technology Chair
I started my journey with native plants through the 2013 Partners for Native Landscaping workshop. Landscaping for birds was my original interest, but I’ve expanded my interests to butterflies, pollinators, and other critters that are attracted to my pond and 1/4 acre city lot. My sunny front yard was chosen as the 2013 Wild Ones Landscape Challenge winner of a native plant makeover. My yard has been certified platinum through the Bring Conservation Home program. I joined the Wild Ones board in 2016 and enjoy using my “work” skills to build and expand our organization. My love of photography comes together with observations in my yard, allowing me to share with and inspire others to do more for wildlife.
Laura Yates, Secretary
I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors for Wild Ones St. Louis Chapter. I hope that my experience and knowledge will enable me to make a meaningful contribution to our organization’s mission to educate others about the benefits of living in harmony with nature.
After retiring from a career in environmental protection, I focused on advancing my life-long passion for native trees and plants by becoming a certified arborist and increasing my knowledge of ecological horticulture. This journey has been very rewarding as I’ve met many kindred spirits and helped raise awareness of the benefits of sustainable landscaping in my community.
Being involved in Wild Ones has been a remarkable experience for me. I’ve enjoyed helping to coordinate volunteers for the annual native garden tour with St. Louis Audubon Society and participating in monthly gatherings. So, I look forward to supporting our organization’s leadership achieve our native landscaping cause by serving as Secretary on the Board of Directors.
Penny Holtzman, Treasurer
On a cold, dreary day in March, I found a bloodroot in bloom. In that harsh environment the flower was so delicate and exquisite that I had to know its name (Sanguinaria canadensis). I purchased a wildflower identification book and began a 45 year journey of learning about native plants and their relationships with insects and birds. Wildflower hikes in Missouri state parks – alone, with friends, or with the Missouri Native Plant Society – contributed to my education. Gardening in my yard brings me much enjoyment, especially when monarch and swallowtail butterflies lay their eggs on my plants and when Eastern bluebirds nest in my yard! I joined Wild Ones when the St Louis Chapter was formed and am currently serving as a board member and treasurer. Attending meetings and volunteering gives me the opportunity to share with others and to learn from them as well.
Reneé Benage, Membership Chair and Plant Sale Chair
Sue Leahy, Member-at-large, Outreach Chair
I have been gardening with natives for about 15 years. It all started with wanting a butterfly garden and, fortunately, I had a friend who was not only a Master Gardener, but very much into native plants. Back then, natives were a lot harder to find than they are now. She started me on an adventure with natives that has transformed my yard, not only in terms of plantings, but with regard to the amount of wildlife we see as well. It has been well worth it! I discovered Wild Ones in 2012 and joined the board in 2016 to help Wild Ones become better known and respected in the St. Louis gardening community. My yard has been certified through the Bring Conservation Home program. I continue to add new plants and have recently started experimenting with propagation of seeds.
Kate Lovelady, Member-at-large and Mentoring Chair
Nature and gardening have been important parts of my life since I was a child, but I only learned about native plants and their importance to ecosystems after moving to St. Louis. Over the past decade I have transitioned my small city yard to mostly natives, and it’s been a joy to see the growing diversity of butterflies, bees, birds, and other creatures. My yard has been certified gold through the Bring Conservation Home program. I volunteer with native gardens in my Dogtown neighborhood, with Forest Park Forever in Kennedy Forest, and with the Humane Society of St. Louis. I’m happy to serve on the board of Wild Ones and give back to an organization and community that has given so much to me, not least a lot of plants!
Brenda Adams, Member-at-large and Program Committee Chair
Growing up in rural South Central Missouri, native plants were the weeds out in the fields. My mom wouldn’t let me bring the ‘chigger weeds’ that I picked for her into the house. My Grandmothers instilled their love of plants in me although they were non-natives such as lilacs and peonies. When I bought my house in Webster Groves, there was a combination of natives and non-natives. As I learned more about natives and started taking horticulture classes as STLCC, my passion for natives and how they fit into the ecosystem grew exponentially. Through my involvement in Wild Ones and the St. Louis Native Plant Swap, my knowledge and passion has continued to grow. I’ve been involved in the Outreach Committee for Wild Ones for a few years and absolutely love talking to people at various tabling events about the beauty and value of native plants. I recommend volunteering wherever you can at Wild Ones – you’ll find it very rewarding.
Other Chairpersons/Coordinators
Kathy Bildner, Grants Chair
My grandparents grew up in a rural area in central Missouri and this is where as a child, I first encountered native plants. I roamed the hills and watched where wild plants grew. I have been a member of the St. Louis Wild Ones Chapter for 20 years. I already had some native plants in my yard, and joining Wild Ones seemed like a natural move. My yard has been certified platinum through the Bring Conservation Home program. I enjoy collecting native plant seeds and raising native plants in my yard. Since mid-2014 I have been the chapter grant coordinator. I and my grant team evaluate grant submissions and award money to grantees so they may buy native seeds or plants.
Erin Goss, Landscape Challenge Chair
Erin Goss is a landscape designer who enjoys working the soil and sharing her passions for plants and books. Professionally, she is the Coordinator for the Native Plant Initiative at Shaw Nature Reserve, an initiative which aims to promote native plant horticulture in the St Louis region. Before working for the Initiative, she served as the Outreach Specialist for Bring Conservation Home and the Design Studio Supervisor for wallflowerdesign.
Bob Siemer and Ann Earley, Tabling Coordinators
Bob Siemer and Ann Earley have been members of Wild Ones St. Louis Chapter for twenty years and staff the chapter’s info table at various local events. They enjoy sharing resources with the public about the importance of native plants.