July 2024 Newsletter
Connecting people
and native plants
for a healthy planet
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with Deborah Rosenthal
Monday, July 8, 2024
6:00 pm EDT
green|spaces, 63 E. Main St., Chattanooga TN
FREE and open to the public
In her presentation, Nurturing Nature: A Prairie Mom’s Guide, Deborah will share what she has learned about transforming fescue pastures into prairies as well as identifying and restoring grassland ecosystems that have been hiding in forests.
Deborah Rosenthal is a retired Appellate Court Attorney from Los Angeles. She and her husband moved to White Bluff, Tennessee in 2017 and quickly embraced the privilege of being land stewards. They started with 30 acres of mostly forest, and now manage 73 acres of forest, woodland, savanna and prairie.
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Monday, August 12, 2024
6:00 pm EDT
green|spaces, 63 E. Main St., Chattanooga TN
FREE and open to the public
Members of the Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones share their personal experience with growing native plants. These informal talks will focus on what we love about native plants in our landscapes. Growing tips will be included.
Are YOU interested in sharing about YOUR favorite native plant? We would love to hear about it at this meeting. If your interested, please contact us at tnvalleywildones@gmail.com.
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This year, the Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones is presenting Gardening with Native Plants, a series of six introductory classes about how to garden with native plants. These classes, led by experienced gardeners from the Tennessee Valley, are free and open to the public. The classes cover everything from why to use native plants to how to plan and maintain native gardens.
Join us for all of the classes, several, or even just one. The classes are complimentary and together will greatly add to your understanding of native plant gardening. The next class is on Saturday, July 13th.
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with Stephan Eselgroth and Bill Moll
Saturday, July 13, 2024
9:00 – 11:00 am EDT
Sterchi Farm Pavilion
2900 Harrison Park,
across from Waterhaven subdivision
Chattanooga TN
FREE and open to the public
Native plants come in all shapes and sizes – from bare root seedlings and small plugs to pots ranging from 1” cups to 10+ gallons and in age from 2 months to 5 or 6 years. We will discuss how to evaluate the plants before you buy them and also how to plant them. Planting will include site preparation, processing the plant, digging the hole and soil options, properly putting the plant in the ground and filling up that hole, plus after-planting care. Your planting method makes a difference.
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Do you want to receive a reminder email
in advance of our free public programs?
If so, join our Meetup group.
For event details and Zoom links, visit TNValleyWildOnes.org
Under the Programs & Events tab, click on Calendar.
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CERTIFICATE IN NATIVE PLANTS CLASSES | |
The Certificate in Native Plants program is designed to expand students' knowledge of botany, ecology, conservation and uses of native flora in the southeastern United States. The CNP offers a blend of classroom instruction, hands-on learning and guided hikes. Participants are required to complete four core classes, eight electives, and 40 hours of volunteering for approved native plant projects. Classes are open to Wild Ones members and non-members, whether or not you are pursuing the certificate.
For more info about the Certificate in Native Plants program, click HERE.
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Summer Tree Identification |
Instructor: Benjamin Moore
Saturday, July 13, 2024
9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EDT
Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center
400 Garden Road, Chattanooga TN
ELECTIVE CLASS (4 Credits)
In Chattanooga, we have the privilege of an extremely diverse and ecologically convergent location which makes identification engaging and fun. By the end of this class, you should confidently be able to ID common trees within their Family and use advanced techniques to get down to Genus and Species.
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Save the Date
for Upcoming Members-Only Event
Registration will be open soon for the following Members-Only event:
Hike: Town Creek Scour, High Falls,
Sand Mountain Creek Scours
Saturday, August 24th, 2024
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT
Oak Grove, AL
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See One of Nature’s Rarest Native Plants
on a Raft Trip on the Middle Ocoee River
Saturday, September 8
2:00 p.m. EDT
Ocoee, TN
Wild Ones members and any others who appreciate viewing native plants combined with a river rapids adventure along the imperiled Ocoee riverscour ecosystem are invited to join Lisa Lemza (past President of Tennessee Valley Wild Ones) and expert paddlers Mike Shillinger and Emily Smoot for a memorable guided raft trip on the Middle Ocoee River to see Ruth’s Golden Aster (Pityopsis ruthii), one of the world’s rarest native plants. Ruth’s Golden Aster, which grows on just a few boulders in the Middle Ocoee and Hiwassee Gorge, with several in the middle of the river, can only be seen from the water. It will be in bloom at this time.
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UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS | |
To view all upcoming programs, classes, hikes and members-only events presented by the Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones, click below: | |
One of the ways Wild Ones seeks to accomplish its mission of promoting native plants and landscaping is by providing learning opportunities for both seasoned gardeners and those who are new to gardening and/or the native plant movement alike. All of these webinar opportunities are free and open to the public to attend.
“Combating the Biodiversity Crisis with Native Plants”
with Sarah Gray & Coralie Palmer
August 22nd at 6 PM (CT)
“The Beauty and Benefits of Hedgerows” with Heather McCargo
September 19th at 6 PM (CT)
“Matrix Landscape Design”
with Benjamin Vogt
October at 24th at 6 PM (CT)
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TENNESSEE VALLEY MEMBER NEWS | |
We Have New Money for Education Help!
The Chattanooga Pollinator Partnership (CHAPP), an initiative of the Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones, has received a gracious donation of $10,000 from the Lyndhurst Foundation for our bi-annual Seeds for Education (SFE) grant. With this money, we can award more grants to close gaps in food resources for pollinators and to broaden our reach of native plant education — especially in underserved communities.
Past sites for SFE pollinator gardens include Lookout School, Fairyland Elementary, Middle Valley Elementary, St. Peter’s Episcopal School, Hardy Elementary, The Howard School, Wauhatchie Forest School at Reflection Riding, Hixson High School, Orange Grove, Avondale Head Start, and Battle Academy. Please help us! Share this news with educators you know at schools, early learning centers, or community centers ... and suggest their names to us.
Also you can join CHAPP as a mentor to share your knowledge of native plants, make a low-time volunteer commitment to support teachers and help with grant reviews. For more information, email us at tnvalleywildones@gmail.com.
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Native plant enthusiasts, the Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones needs volunteers to serve as greeters at our public monthly meetings and free "Gardening With Native Plant" series.
Your tasks would be to:
• Set up our tri-fold board for display/advertisement.
• Greet guests and make sure they feel welcomed.
• Display a signup sheet and a few laminated Wild Ones documents at the door.
Notice to our Certificate in Native Plants students: This will count towards your volunteer hours!
If this sounds like something you would be interested in doing, please click below for dates and times for the events.
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Volunteer Opportunity
Chatt Town Cool Down is Chattanooga's premier end-of-summer celebration hosted by Outdoor Chattanooga designed to spark a contagious love of the outdoors through adventure and action sports, nature exploration, and community partnerships.
Wild Ones will have an informational table at this event. This will be a great opportunity to get the word out about Wild Ones, and the importance of using native plants!
Saturday, August 24
Coolidge Park
150 River St., Chattanooga TN
The times are from 10:30am - 4:30pm (including setup and breakdown).
Group1 - 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Group2 - 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Group3 - 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones Volunteers
at McCoy Farm & Gardens Memorial Day Picnic
Our chapter volunteers showcased our new table display at the Memorial Day Picnic at McCoy Farm & Gardens. Highlights of the newly redesigned exhibit include banners with the new Wild Ones logo and new informational posters for the Chattanooga Area Pollinator Partnership and Wild Ones Membership designed by Erin Thurman. Another new addition, designed by Bill Moll, is a spinning wheel; each topic is based on Doug Tallamy’s concepts of ‘What can one person do’. It is a great conversation opener for our tabling guests!
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Wild Ones is a community of native planters growing healthier landscapes. This program honors the dedication and hard work of members who actively participate in this transformative journey, recognizing their efforts as crucial contributions to environmental restoration and sustainability.
Wild Ones Certified Native Habitats are symbols of dedication to biodiversity, ecological restoration, and the nurturing of environments where native flora and fauna can thrive. Join Wild Ones in spreading the message and inspiring others, showcasing your habitat as a beacon of environmental stewardship.
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SUPPORT THE WORK OF OUR CHAPTER | |
A healthy planet starts with native plants.
Dwindling biodiversity is a threat to the foundation of life on earth. In the last century alone, we’ve lost millions of acres of diverse ecosystems to urbanization. Native plants help protect and restore biodiversity, improve air and water quality and provide wildlife with quality food and shelter.
Our vision is native plants and natural landscapes in every community. Let’s create a movement of native planters growing healthier landscapes. With your help, Tennessee Valley Wild Ones can accomplish the Wild Ones mission in the Tennessee Valley community. We are a 100% volunteer force for good, and donations will go directly to our work in the community.
Please help if you can. Every donation makes a difference.
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PROGRAMS, CLASSES & EVENTS
Online and in the Region
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Tennessee Native Plant Society Seminars
The Tennessee Native Plant Society hosts monthly Native Plant Seminars via Zoom on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Central (7:30 p.m. Eastern) and lasting about one hour. All members, and potential members, are welcome to attend the seminars. Videos of previous seminars are available via the link below.
July 16 – Alisha Millican, Fungus Among Us – An Intro to Fungi for the Home Gardner
August 20 – Connie Deegan, Snakes in Your Garden
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Wild Ones is growing in Tennessee and the Southeast!
Check out the events at nearby chapters!
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This Flower Could Be Defined as Intelligent, Scientists Say
Some flora species can act and respond to their environment using a kind of memory coupled with what are argued to be decision-making abilities.
Read more.
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On the Power of a Salt Marsh
Salt marshes—often trampled, built on, and filled in—are giant, silent carbon sinks. Learn about their oversized and underappreciated role in the health of our planet.
Read more in this article from Orion Magazine
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‘It can feel like a detective story’:
birders asked to help find 126 ‘lost’ bird species
The birds have not been seen for at least a decade – some for more than 100 years – but the authors of a new list of missing species (including the Bachman's warbler, a North American bird shown in the photo above) have not given up hope. The new tally is based on millions of records collected by enthusiastic birders and amateur scientists documenting wildlife in some of the planet’s most remote locations.
Read more in this article from The Guardian.
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Carpenter Ants Perform Life-Saving Amputations
to Treat Leg Injuries
Researchers have observed Florida carpenter ants (Camponotus floridanus) biting off the injured legs of their nestmates. By removing their companions’ legs, the ants significantly improved their chances of survival.
Read more in this article from Smithsonian Magazine
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Actaea racemosa (Black Cohosh)
Native to moist deciduous woodlands in the eastern half of the U.S., Black Cohosh prefers rich soils, yet is fairly drought tolerant. It is a host plant for the Appalachian Azure butterfly. Other common names include Bugbane and Black snakeroot.
Photo by Mike O'Brien.
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Diana Fritillary Butterfly, female Mike O'Brien tells us,
"For the first time in 17 years of looking, we have a nectaring female Diana Fritillary today. We see male Dianas here yearly, but the elusive females we have not found until today [June 21, 2024]."
Photo by Mike O'Brien.
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Female Diana Fritillary Butterfly
Photo by Mike O'Brien.
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Variegated Fritillary Butterfly
on Short-Toothed Mountain Mint
(Pycnanthemum muticum)
Photo by Mike O'Brien.
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Four Banded Stink Bug Wasp
Photo by Mike O'Brien.
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Goldenrod Gall
The galls are caused by the parasitic Goldenrod Gall Fly, a fly species native to North America. The male adult flies emerge in the spring before the females. After mating, the female fly uses her ovipositor to insert her eggs into the Goldenrod buds. When the egg hatches into a larva, the saliva of the larva causes an abnormal and bulbous growth of the plant’s tissues that concentrates nutrients needed for the larva’s growth, thus forming the galls, which are about 1/2 inch or more in diameter when mature. The larva feeds from summer into fall, then in late fall it creates a tunnel just to, but not through the gall’s surface. The larva then returns to the center of the gall to overwinter. If the larva survives predation and the winter, it will emerge from the gall (through its prepared tunnel) in the spring to restart its life cycle.
The gall provides food and shelter for the larva, but the plant doesn't seem to benefit from the relationship. The plant may grow more slowly and produce fewer seeds than unaffected plants because the galls use up energy and photosynthate. The stem with the gall may also not grow as tall as other stems, but the gall and the plant don't usually have any long-term effects.
Photo by Mike O'Brien.
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The three photos below, taken by Mike O'Brien, show a 8” wide sunflower. The first photo is a close up of the center of the disk floret with its flower buds.
In the second photo, the peripheral, yellow ray floret is composed of large sterile flowers with a single yellow petal , whereas the very small, darker flowers of the disk floret are the fertile ones, where developing black sunflower seeds (achenes) are visible. These seeds will enlarge quickly to their familiar shape and size. The unopened buds are to the photo's right.
The third photo shows a Bumblebee fertilizing the outer, opened disk flowers.
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Becoming a Wild Ones member shows your commitment to the native plant movement and is a great way to connect with a helpful and knowledgeable native plant community that will prove invaluable in your native garden journey!
Benefits of a Wild Ones membership include:
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Access to the current electronic issue of the quarterly Wild Ones Journal
- Invitations to workshops, garden tours, seed exchanges, plants sales, and stewardship project
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Discounts for partner educational webinars such as NDAL, etc. and Wild Ones chapter programs
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Participation in an annual national photo contest
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Access to the Wild Ones Member Center for learning resources
- Participation in Wild for Monarchs and Native Garden recognition programs
- Involvement in citizen science and networking with conservation partners
- Receiving Wild Ones National e-Newsletters
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Invitation to Wild Ones' private Facebook discussion group and the national Wild Ones Annual Member Meeting
- Networking opportunities and camaraderie with like-minded people who care about native plants and our planet
Additional benefits for members of the Tennessee Valley chapter:
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Discounted admission to all Certificate in Native Plants classes year-round.
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Free admission at members-only programs, including local and regional guided hikes, garden visits (Landscapes in Progress), the annual meeting, an annual plant swap, and other member social events.
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Annual Welcome Party and Orientation for new members.
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Monthly email Member Update, with news about chapter activities.
- All members of the family who live at the same address are entitled to member benefits!
Your membership dollars help forward our mission of promoting the restoration of native landscapes by allowing us to:
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Provide free, educational resources and learning opportunities that are open to the public from respected experts like Wild Ones Honorary Directors Doug Tallamy, Neil Diboll, Heather Holm and Donna VanBuecken
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Support the efforts of over 65 local Wild Ones chapters in 23 states
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Publish a quarterly, award-winning, online journal featuring current native plant information and resources
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Share free, professionally-designed native garden templates for multiple regions in the United States.
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Get More Involved with Us! | |
The Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones is 100% volunteer run!
Here are a few ways you can get more involved in the chapter
and in our Chattanooga Pollinator Partnership.
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Follow our chapter on social media: | |
Follow Wild Ones on social media: | |
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