Welcome Springtime!

As April unfolds, native plants in the Tennessee Valley begin their annual resurgence, painting the landscape with fresh vibrance. It's a time to appreciate the beauty of nature, reconnect with the land, and celebrate the essential role native flora plays in our ecosystems.

There's good news in Chattanooga too! Our city has been recognized as North America's first ever National Park City and third ever globally! Chattanooga has been transformed over the past decades, from one of the most polluted cities in the U.S. in the 1970s to an unrivaled outdoor destination and biodiversity hotspot. The campaign for Chattanooga National Park City has involved dozens of grassroots and community-led organizations (including the Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones), the City of Chattanooga, local businesses, and the endorsement of over 5,000 citizens across the city. Way to go, Chattanooga!!

This month, our chapter continues to buzz with excitement! We've planned a series of engaging events to immerse you in the wonders of spring—guided nature walks where you'll witness wildflowers in bloom, hands-on workshops to deepen your knowledge of native plants, and community planting efforts to restore and preserve local habitats. Whether you're a seasoned botanist or a curious nature lover, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events and sharing in the joy of this incredible season! 🌿🌼

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.  Discounted class fees are available for members of Wild Ones, the Tennessee Native Plant Society or Reflection Riding. Classes are open to all, including interested individuals who may not be working toward the Certificate.

Those working toward the Certificate are asked to volunteer in various capacities to support approved native plant projects in our region. Volunteer requirements have changed slightly. More information and a downloadable volunteer form are available on our website.

For more info about the Certificate in Native Plants program, click here.

To access information and registration links for all upcoming programs, classes, hikes and members-only events presented by the Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones and Wild Ones national, click below:

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Chattanooga Area Pollinator Partnership Work Day

Thursday, April 17, 2025

12:00 noon to 2:00 pm (Eastern Time)

Avondale Head Start

2302 Ocoee Street, Chattanooga, TN

🌱 Share the Love for Native Plants This Spring!

Are you passionate about nature and eager to make a difference in your community? The Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help staff our Public Information table during upcoming springtime festivals!

As a volunteer, you’ll engage with festival goers, share information about our organization, and educate the public about the vital role native plants play in supporting local ecosystems. It’s a chance to connect with others, promote environmental awareness, and celebrate the beauty of spring.

✨ What You’ll Do:

• Talk to the community about the importance of native plants
• Answer questions and share materials about our organization
• Help inspire others to protect and nurture our environment

🌿 Why Volunteer?

• Make a positive impact on your local environment
• Meet like-minded individuals who share your passion
• Enjoy the vibrant energy of spring festivals!

🌟 No prior experience needed—just bring your enthusiasm! We’ll provide all the training and materials you’ll need to feel confident and prepared.

Ready to join us in spreading the word and fostering a greener future? Click the button below to view our volunteer opportunities and sign up.

Let’s make this spring unforgettable—for both nature and our community. We can’t wait to work with you!

A Blooming Success! 🌿🌸

Our spring native plant sale was a wonderful celebration of community and conservation! With fantastic attendance and enthusiastic engagement, we came together to support local ecosystems and share our love for native flora. From seasoned gardeners to curious newcomers, everyone played a role in making the event a huge success. Thanks to our sponsors -- Reflection Riding and the Hamilton County Water Quality Program -- and to all the native plant nurseries and vendors who participated.

Thank you to all who joined us, and all who volunteered—your passion and participation make a real difference in preserving and promoting the beauty of native plants. We are excited to grow with you this year, and hope to see you at our FALL NATIVE PLANT SALE -- October 4, 2025!!

Grow Spicebush for Tea and Swallowtails

Spice up your spring garden with spicewood. It hosts butterflies as well as providing tonic teas. Read more.

Capture Beautiful Bird Photography in Your Own Yard

To photograph birds, you have to provide a reason for them to visit. Natural landscaping, using plants native to your region, is the best tool to lure birds to your yard. Whether you live on a suburban lot or a sprawling rural spread, the species of plants that grow around your home will dictate the abundance and diversity of birds that visit. Read more.

Getting Annoyed at Your Noisy Neighbor? Spiders Are, Too.

New Research Finds They’ll Build Webs Differently in Loud Conditions

Researchers compared spiders from rural and urban environments and found they change how they build their webs when exposed to noisy conditions. Read more.

Where Have All the Fireflies Gone?

The Xerces Society created a fun-to-watch video about monitoring firefly populations in North America. Watch the video.

Help track and conserve threatened and data-deficient firefly species in North America. Visit the Firefly Atlas website.

This week, Mike O'Brien's wife Marion noticed this Winter Firefly (Photinus corruscus) on the back storm door. When Mike got photos, he found a tiny arachnid clinging to the right elytra of the firefly. Mike checked with spider expert, Dr. Mike Howell, who thought it might be a Pseudoscorpion. Mike's iNaturalist posts of the photo has already received two replies confirming that it is indeed Pseudoscorpion, which are extremely tiny arachnids that hitch rides on small insects and prey on them. This is a very lucky and unusual find to actually see one on the firefly. There is abundant Pine pollen on the firefly and glass too.

The image on the right is a closeup of the Pseudoscorpion. Note its larger, pincher-like first pair of its legs, like Popeye’s forearms!

Mike shared some research information about Pseudoscorpions from Perplexity:

“Pseudoscorpions, also known as false scorpions or book scorpions, are small arachnids that resemble scorpions but lack a tail and stinger. They belong to the class Arachnida and are typically 2 to 8 mm in length, with a flat, pear-shaped body and large pincer-like pedipalps. Pseudoscorpions are harmless to humans and pets, feeding on small insects and arthropods. They often inhabit damp areas like leaf litter, under bark, and in nests, and can enter homes by hitching rides on insects. They breathe through tracheae and are known for their crab-like movement.”

Thanks to Mike and Marion O'Brien for sharing this amazing find!

Rue anemone

Rue anemone is an early-flowering, delicate plant, usually growing singly. Flowers in small umbels (round clusters, with flower stalks arising from the same point) subtended by a whorl of nearly round, stalkless leaf bracts.

Photo by Mike O'Brien

Violet Wood Sorrel

Violet Wood Sorrel is a low-lying (4"), shy native with small, bell-shaped violet flowers that become white with greenish lines near the blossom's throat. Leaves and blossoms both open up to the sun, the latter exposing bright yellow anthers, and then fold with shade. Three oval-heart leaflets comprise each leaf.

Photo by Mike O'Brien

Pawpaw tree blossoms

The pawpaw tree (Asimina triloba) is a small, deciduous tree or large shrub, known for its large, tropical-looking leaves and edible, banana-like fruit, often found in colonies or thickets due to its tendency to spread by root suckers. 

Photo by Mike O'Brien

Dogwood tree blossom

Flowering dogwoods grow to a height of 35 to 40 feet. It is a shrub or small, low-branched tree usually with a flat-topped crown, oval or ovate leaves, about 3 to 6 inches long and 1 to 3 inches wide. Creamy-white flowers with 4 petals each appear in early spring.

Photo by Mike O'Brien

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:

• Access to the current electronic issue of the quarterly Wild Ones Journal
• Invitations to workshops, garden tours, seed exchanges, plants sales, and stewardship project
• Discounts for partner educational webinars such as NDAL, etc. and Wild Ones chapter programs
• Participation in an annual national photo contest
• 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
• 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:

• Discounted admission to all Certificate in Native Plants classes year-round.
• 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.
• Annual Welcome Party and Orientation for new members.
• 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:

• 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
• Support the efforts of over 65 local Wild Ones chapters in 23 states
• Publish a quarterly, award-winning, online journal featuring current native plant information and resources
• Share free, professionally-designed native garden templates for multiple regions in the United States.

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