Events Archive: 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Upcoming Events
March 2026
Free National Webinar: Rethinking Horticulture with Real Ecology presented by Joey Santore
Hosted by Wild Ones NationalOnline/Virtual
Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation
Join Joey Santore, creator of Crime Pays But Botany Doesn’t, for a candid Wild Ones National Webinar examining how inherited garden aesthetics shape native plant landscapes. Drawing on field experience and real ecology, Joey challenges tidy design norms and explores why dense, irregular plant communities are often the most resilient and ecologically sound.
Learn from the iNaturalist Team about How to Identify Plants
Online/Virtual
Public Welcome Hands-On/How-To Workshop
Hosted by the iNaturalist Team, register for this free webinar on Thursday, March 19th at 12 PM to learn more about how you can help make identifications on iNaturalist, even if you’re not an expert! This event will be recorded. Please register if you want the recording.
The information presented is designed for those unfamiliar with identifying on iNaturalist, but will also include info an experienced identifier can use. You’ll learn:
How identifications work on iNaturalist
Quick tips to make your life easier while identifying
Tips to help sort basic types of plants — even if you’re not an expert!
April 2026
Garden Grant Winners Present their Gardens + City Nature Challenge
South Elkhorn Christian Church 4343 Harrodsburg Rd, Lexington, KY 40513
Public Welcome Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking
Two recipients of the Lexington Wild Ones Garden Grants will describe their gardens, how they used the grant funds, and faced and resolved challenges. Our Lexington Wild Ones 2026 Garden Grant Program will be presented and what you need to do to become a recipient of this year's grants. The meeting will also present the opportunity to volunteer in the 2026 City Nature Challenge April 24 to 27, using iNaturalist app to make observations of wild plants, animals, and fungi anywhere in Fayette County. Your observations will contribute to one of the largest community science events in the world to better understand nature that lives in and around urban areas. A brief iNaturalist training will be done at the April 9th Wild Ones monthly meeting at 6:30 PM. Please have the app downloaded on your phone. For more training opportunities with iNaturalist, visit our Volunteering page.
During our 6:30 – 7 PM social time, stop by Ann Witherington's demonstration table to see how to label the plants you will be bringing to the Native Plant Exchange May 7th. Wild Ones is supplying the 8" x 1" craft sticks on which you can write the common name, scientific name, light needs (e.g., sun, shade, sun/pt shade), water requirements (e.g., wet, medium, dry), height, bloom time, and color.
May 2026
Annual Native Plant Exchange, Rain or Shine!
South Elkhorn Christian Church Parking Lot 4343 Harrodsburg Rd, Lexington, KY, 40513
Paid Event Public Welcome Chapter Social Seed/Plant Share Free Public Parking
Entrance donation to event: $10.00/person; Cash or Check.
You do not have to be a Wild Ones member to participate.
Bring the native plants you have in your garden that you would like to swap with fellow gardeners to this fun event! Bring one or more native plants (e.g., trees, shrubs, flowering perennials, ferns, grasses). Acceptable non-natives would include naturalized plants and herbs. Bring plants in clean pots, not bags or buckets! Please pot your plants at least 2 weeks in advance for good root development.
Labels should include common name, scientific name, light needs (e.g., sun, shade, sun/pt shade), and water requirements (e.g., wet, medium, dry). Other info could include height, bloom time, color.
Wild Ones will supply 8 x 1” craft sticks at the April meeting. Avery mailing labels work well to mount on this craft stick. Sample label writing:
beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis, sun, dry/med, 3 ft, spring, white
beardtongue, Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’, sun, dry/med, 2 ft; spring, pink
Silent Auction: Each item will state its value and minimum bid. Further bids will be in $10 increments. Participants add their name and bid. Yes, you can rebid at any point. Winners must be present to claim their prize and pay the donation bid.
You are welcome to bring refreshments to this event. No alcohol allowed. See you there!
September 2026
Free National Webinar- September 2026
Hosted by Wild Ones NationalOnline/Virtual
Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation
Details coming soon!
October 2026
Free National Webinar- October 2026
Hosted by Wild Ones NationalOnline/Virtual
Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation
Details coming soon!
November 2026
Free National Webinar- November 2026
Hosted by Wild Ones NationalOnline/Virtual
Public Welcome Recording Available Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation
Details coming soon!