Events

The Sirenz singing group has been entertaining audiences around Oxford for more than a decade.  Two members of the quartet are members of Wild Ones Miami Valley and offered to perform at a fundraiser for the chapter.  From 5-7 pm, guests are invited to purchase food and drinks from the bar, but any tips for the performers will be donated to Wild Ones.

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.

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.

Big, small, or even tiny, a pollinator garden of any size can support wildlife in your yard and look great while doing it. In this presentation you’ll learn how to choose plants that will thrive in the conditions in your space, how to prepare the garden for planting, and how to arrange the plants for best visual impact. Kelsey Vance, proprietor of Wild Edges Landscaping; Kevin Wilson, from Shademakers Garden Center; and the Miami Valley Chapter of Wild Ones will hold a discussion on planning for a successful pollinator garden. 

There are a variety of ways to approach invasive plant control in aiding an ecologically fragile landscape back into a healthy native plant ecosystem.  In this presentation, Kalan Jones from MetroParks of Butler County will help attendees identify different methods of controlling some common invasive plants found in Ohio.  He will expand on different invasive plant control standards including herbicide use as well as mechanical and cultural control methods you can apply to your projects. 

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/ 

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/ 

Meeting for all elected and “at-large” Board members to plan for the remainder of 2025 and look to early 2026.

Please come with ideas for new board members who may want to join us, or step into a different position.

Join us starting at 5:00 pm for drinks and snacks and to enjoy the garden and all of it's beneficial trees, companion plants, and flowering natives.  At 5:30, Inaki will deliver a full tour of the front, back, and side gardens and explain permaculture principles and the evolution of this amazing suburban yard into a forest of food for humans and pollinators.

Bring a lawn chair if you would like to stay into the evening.

Details coming soon! 

A Panel discussion with experts from regional Wildlife and Natural Areas managers to define and share best practices and future outlooks for the white-tailed deer population in Oxford and greater southwestern Ohio.

Details coming soon! 

Our most important meeting of the year will feature a guest speaker from the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, an informal native seed swap and an opportunity to participate in elections of the Wild Ones Miami Valley Board.

Details coming soon!