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March arrives with that familiar quickening—buds swelling, birdsong returning, and the first native ephemerals pushing up through the leaf litter. Our yards and wild spaces are beginning their annual transformation, and our chapter is stepping into a full season of activity right alongside them.
This month’s highlight is one of our biggest events of the year: the Spring Native Plant Sale & Expo on Saturday, March 28, from 9 AM–2 PM at the First Horizon Pavilion. With 20+ local and regional native plant nurseries and vendors, it’s the perfect opportunity to stock up on the species that support our region’s wildlife and thrive in our landscapes. Whether you’re planning a new bed, refreshing a pollinator patch, or simply eager to welcome spring, this is the day to do it.
Distinguished Lecture Series Speaker Reveal Coming Soon!
We’re excited to share that the 2026 Distinguished Lecture Series speaker will be announced at our Spring Native Plant Sale & Expo on Saturday, March 28. Be sure to stop by and catch the big reveal while you stock up on native plants. And don’t forget to save the date—this year’s Distinguished Lecture Series will take place on Friday, October 2, 2026.
We can’t wait to see you out in the community—and out in the garden—as the season unfolds.
| | | 2026 Tennessee Valley Wild Ones Theme: Phenology - if you’d like to explore phenology further visit our website for resources and free phenology wheel downloadable templates. | | | | |
The Phenology of Bird Migration
Paying Attention to Plants and the Timing of Migration
with Barbara Johnson
Monday, March 9, 2026
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (EST)
FREE and Open to the Public
Joseph Glasscock Community Center
3653 Tom Weathers Drive
Chattanooga, TN 37415
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Native Plant Sociability - How to Think in Terms of Plant Communities
with Lena Hall
Monday, March 16, 2026
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (EST)
FREE and Open to the Public
Joseph Glasscock Community Center
3653 Tom Weathers Drive
Chattanooga, TN 37415
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Spring Native Plant
Sale & Expo
Bring Home the Plants that
Belong Here!
Local and Regional Nurseries & Vendors
Free Admission and Parking
Expert Guidance
Saturday, March 28, 2026
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (EST)
FREE and Open to the Public
First Horizon Pavilion
1826 Reggie White Blvd
Chattanooga, TN, 37408
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Guided Hike: Old Stone Fort Archaeological Park
Join us for a guided hike in search of spring ephemerals!
Register below, spots are limited!
Saturday, March 21, 2026
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (CST)
Manchester, TN 37355
Exact location given to registered Participants
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Landscapes in Progress
Visit the home gardens and native landscapes of fellow Wild Ones members and see real‑world examples of what’s working—and what isn’t. It’s a relaxed, supportive way to learn from one another, share successes, and talk honestly about challenges and lessons learned.
We’re building the 2026 lineup and would love to feature your native plant journey. If you’re a Wild Ones member and interested in hosting, please reach out to tnvalleywildones@gmail.com.
Save the Date:
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Saturday, May 23, 2026 | Info Coming Soon!
| | CERTIFICATE IN NATIVE PLANTS | | |
The Certificate in Native Plants program deepens participants’ understanding of southeastern botany, ecology, conservation, and the uses of native flora. The curriculum blends classroom learning with hands‑on activities and guided hikes. Classes are open to everyone, and members of Wild Ones, the Tennessee Native Plant Society, and Reflection Riding receive discounted fees.
Students pursuing the Certificate also complete volunteer hours supporting approved native plant projects in our region. Updated volunteer requirements and a downloadable form are available on our website.
For more information about the program and to view upcoming 2026 courses, click here.
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Design and Maintenance Considerations for Building a Bird Habitat with Native Plants
Instructor: Preston Montague
Saturday, March 14, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (EST)
Virtual Location: URL will be provided upon registration.
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Spring Ephemerals at Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail
Instructor: Jay Clark
Saturday, April 11, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (EST)
Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail
299 Pocket Road
Chickamauga, GA 30707
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Integrated Pest Management for Native Landscapes
Instructor: Lucy Ellis
Saturday, May 9, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (EST)
Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute (TNACI)
175 Baylor School Road
Chattanooga, TN 37405
| | Find information and registration links for all upcoming programs, classes, hikes, and members‑only events by clicking below. | | |
Volunteer with Us!
Whether you have a few hours a month or want to dive into a leadership role, there's a place for you. Join a committee, help organize events, assist with outreach, or lend your skills behind the scenes. Every contribution helps us spread the word and deepen our roots in the community.
Why Get Involved?
- Shape the direction of our chapter in 2026 and beyond
- Connect with like-minded nature advocates
- Gain experience in conservation, education, and nonprofit leadership
- Be part of a movement that restores and protects our local ecosystems
Ready to grow with us? Check out the current volunteer opportunities below:
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Crabtree Reciprocity Workdays
Wild Ones is partnering once again with Crabtree Farms for our spring reciprocity workdays—and we’d love your hands in the soil with us. By volunteering, you help care for the Perennial Garden and Monarch Waystation that support pollinators across our community, and in return Crabtree generously provides us the use of the Evelyn Center for our 2026 Annual Meeting and Holiday Social.
Everyone is welcome to sign up for as many shifts as they’d like, and all volunteer hours count toward Certificate in Native Plants (CNP) “hands in the dirt” time.
Workday Dates: (all times 9:00 AM to Noon EST)
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WILD NOTES & INTERESTING
INFORMATION
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Why Everyone Should Be Using iNaturalist
iNaturalist allows anyone to document life on Earth and contribute directly to scientific research. It's free, and it's available right now. Read more.
Source: Native Plant Ecosystems
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Wild Notes Blog
Curious what else we're wild about? Dig into Wild Notes - Read more.
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PROGRAMS, CLASSES & EVENTS
IN THE REGION & ONLINE
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EPB Free Tree ReLeaf
- March 14, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Reflection Riding
- All EPB customers are eligible to receive one FREE tree per household
- Available species: American Beech, Carolina Silverbell, Chestnut Oak, Common Serviceberry, Eastern Red Cedar, Elliott's Blueberry, Flowering Dogwood, Persimmon, Post Oak, Sweet Pepperbush, Sweetbay Magnolia, Fringetree, Yaupon Holly
- More Info
Free Wild Ones National Webinar: Rethinking Horticulture with Real Ecology, presented by Joey Santore
Tennessee Tree Day
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Wild Strawberry
Fragaria vesca, commonly called the wild strawberry or woodland strawberry, is a true spring delight and one of our region’s most charming native groundcovers. Its fresh green leaves emerge early, followed by delicate white blossoms that offer nectar to small bees and other spring pollinators. By early summer, the plant rewards both wildlife and observant gardeners with tiny, intensely flavorful red berries—beloved by birds, box turtles, and anyone lucky enough to spot them before they’re gone.
Wild strawberry spreads gently by runners, forming a soft, low mat that’s perfect for filling gaps, stabilizing soil, or creating a living mulch beneath taller natives. It’s a beautiful, ecological alternative to nonnative groundcovers, bringing texture, seasonal interest, and habitat value to even the smallest spaces.
Let a patch wander in your yard and you’ll quickly see why this humble native has been cherished for generations.
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Order Your Permanent Wild Ones Nametag
Get your order in by March 13 to be included in the spring batch!
Nametag ordering is now open for Tennessee Valley Wild Ones members. These nametags feature our chapter logo and your name, and are available with either a pin or magnetic backing. Cost is $11 each.
Spring order deadline: March 13
Delivery: April 13 monthly meeting
Orders are accepted year‑round and produced in batches, so please submit yours by the deadline to be included in the spring batch. The order form is linked below.
Note: Magnetic backs may interfere with implanted medical devices or certain heart medications—choose a pin back if needed.
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READY TO JOIN WILD ONES?
BECOME A MEMBER TODAY!
| | When you join Wild Ones, you’re embracing the native plant movement and gaining a community of experienced, generous ecological gardeners who will support you every step of the way. | |
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