Wild Ones celebrated its 35th anniversary August 16-17 at the Wild Center with a flurry of meetings, forums, and talks along with many opportunities to socialize. With Bill Moll, Katrina Hayes and Sally Wencel in attendance, our chapter was well represented throughout the two day gathering.  This included participation in the national strategic planning session. Tennessee Valley Chapter members Katrina Hayes and Sally Wencel were elected to the national board at the meeting.  They will serve one-year terms as Secretary and Vice-President, respectively.  We offer our congratulations to both for a job well done.  They will represent not only our chapter, but much of the Southeast!

Also in attendance was award-winning photographer and film director, Catherine Zimmerman. Catherine is creator of the Meadow Project and on Saturday she shared a brief segment from her upcoming video "Hometown Habitats". Her new film will showcase uplifting stories of habitat restoration from around the country. Wild Ones members Doug Tallamy, Steve Apfelbaum, Ned Dorff, and Hal Mann are all prominently featured.  Because Wild Ones believes in the importance of this film they are donating the proceeds of their recent silent auction to help fund its production. The national office is also urging local chapters to donate to this venture.  In response the TVWO board has approved donating $500.00 toward the effort. 

This is an exciting project and a great way for Wild Ones to reach a national audience.  (Catherine blogged about the meeting here: http://themeadowproject.com/35-years-of-wildness/ ) If you would like to give to the project, please send your check made out to "FBO Hometown Habitat" to Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes, 2285 West Butte des Morts Beach Road, Neenah, Wisconsin 54956-1008.  Contributions to the Hometown Habitat project are tax deductible and will help Wild Ones get named as a project sponsor.