Events

The Inner Bluegrass has been farmed for over 200 years. When European settlers arrived and staked out their homesteads, they cut down oaks, hickories, sugar maples and much else to plant their farms and gardens. And they did this with determination. 
Now, some of that land is returning to "nature", for example at Hisle Park. Trees are reestablishing themselves in areas that are not managed to keep fields open. But what we see is not the Nature of 200 years ago. How does the land respond to the huge disturbance that was inflicted upon it so long ago? Is this a place where the Bluegrass can heal itself?

Come and join us for a leisurely walk at Hisle to see the trees that are growing there now.

The park address is 3551 Briar Hill Road, Lexington. When coming from Lexington, use the first entrance into the park. Drive through the gate and follow the driveway to the parking lot in front of the barn. This is where we will meet.

So, you have decided to plant a new tree on your property. But what constitutes a good tree for your garden and for all the people who spend time there? The decision should probably not be left up to your landscaper. This leisurely tree walk at Wellington Park discusses the trees that grow well in the inner Bluegrass and are commonly planted in front and back yards.

A number of our Wild Ones members volunteer in Lexington parks. They plant and manage stream buffers, design and install pollinator gardens and care for them, remove invasives and replace them with native plants, and more. The LFUCG Department of Parks and Recreation needs this kind of neighborhood engagement to make our parks the best they can be with limited resources. We will invite Wild Ones members and other volunteers who actively work on plant management and natural restoration in the city's parks to share their enthusiasm and experiences.