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September 10-12
Reflection Riding Fall Plant Sale
Saturday,
September 12
2:45pm
Neonicitinoids:
The DDT of the
21st Century
FREE and Open
to the Public
Monday,
September 14
6:00 pm
The Ferns of Tennessee
FREE and Open
t
o the Public
Saturday, September 26
Landscapes in Progress - Signal Mountain
Members Only
Saturday,
October 3
Fall Color Hike
along the
Ocoee River
Members only
Saturday,
October 10
Grass Identification Workshop
Saturday,
November 14
Annual Meeting at Greenway Farm
Members only
Saturday,
March 5, 2016
Plant Natives 2016!
6th Annual Native Plant Symposium
Save the Date!
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Website!
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Check us out at
wildones.org
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Invitations to
MEMBERS-ONLY EVENTS:
*"Landscapes in Progress" garden visit programs
*Guided Native Plant &
Wildflower Walks
*Native Plant Rescues
*Native Plant Nursery Visits
E-mail notices about
upcoming local native plant EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
and events.
Special DISCOUNT OFFERS
from local landscapers
and nurseries,
including
Show your Wild Ones
membership card to receive
10% off at these nurseries.
BECOME INVOLVED
with a group of
local gardeners
interested in
native plant landscaping.
PLUS all the
benefits
of a
national Wild Ones membership, including
the
New Member Handbook
with practical ways
to add native plants to
your
landscape ...
AND the quarterly
Wild Ones Journal.
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Reflection Riding Fall Plant Sale
September 10-12
The goal of the Reflection Riding Native Plant Sale is to help educate the public in the use of native flora in garden settings. All of the species available are nursery-propagated plants. Many are propagated from seeds gathered from native populations of wildflowers, woody shrubs, and trees growing on the slopes of Lookout Mountain and the surrounding parts of the Cumberland Plateau. Gathering seeds from local populations allows us to enjoy the advantage of the adaptive variation found in the local gene pools.
There will be over 7,000 native plants of 130 different species available to purchase.
Thursday, September 10th
2:00 - 7:00 pm
Reflection Riding Members Only
Friday and Saturday, September 11th and 12th
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Open to the public. There will be garden experts available to answer your native gardening questions. Special programming will be available during the Friday and Saturday Public event. For more info, click HERE.
Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center is located at 400 Garden Road in Chattanooga at the base of Lookout Mountain.
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Neonicitinoids
The DDT of the 21st-Century
"Save the Bees, Save the World"
with Wild Ones
Member, Ann Brown
Saturday, September 12 at
2:45pm
FREE and Open to the Public
Reflection Riding Arboretum
& Nature Center
Also at the Hamilton County Fair
September 26-27
Wild Ones' "Save the Bees. Save the World" booth will also be at the Hamilton County Fair on
September 26-27. Please come and help save the bees!
Ann posted information on our Facebook page this week about a
new study just released -- "
Bee and Bird-Toxic Pesticides Found in Food Served at Congressional Dining Hall"
(Beyond Pesticides, August 4, 2015). Nearly every food available for purchase at the U.S. Congressional Dining Hall contains detectable levels of neonicotinoids (neonics), chemical insecticides implicated in the global decline of wild and managed pollinators. The results of a new study, performed by the American Bird Conser
vancy (ABC) and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, reveals how reliance on these toxic chemicals can both directly and indirectly affect our food supply. Authors of the study hope the results will build Congressional support for the Saving America's Pollinators Act of 2015, which would suspend the use of neonics while an independent review analyzes the chemical's effects on birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.
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The Ferns of Tennessee
with Dr. Pat Blackwell Cox
Monday, September 14
6:00 pm
FREE and Open to the Public
green|spaces
63 E. Main Street, Chattanooga TN
Tennessee is home to many native ferns, as well as some undesirable invasives, but many amateur and even professional botanists can find it difficult to distinguish one fern from another. On Monday, September 14, 2015, the Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones will host a presentation on "Ferns of Tennessee" by retired TVA Botanical Specialist Patricia Blackwell Cox. Dr. Cox will explain the terminology associated with ferns' structure and will discuss the most common ferns in Tennessee, the rarest ferns in the state, and invasive fern species.
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Landscapes in Progress
Visit 3 Members' Gardens on Signal Mountain
Saturday, September 26
9:30am - 1:30pm
Includes lunch
FREE to Members Only
Many members of the Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones are gardeners who are working to replace exotic and invasive plants with native plants in their own landscapes. This is usually an ongoing process where we gradually learn about which native plants thrive in our specific environment and about how to control invasives.
So that we can learn from each other, twice each year the Chapter offers Landscapes in Progress programs. These informal programs provide an opportunity to see the successes and challenges faced by other gardeners who are incorporating native plants into their landscapes. These programs are not intended to be "garden tours" where everything is perfect, but rather a chance to share information about how to be better gardeners.
The fall Landscapes in Progress program features three Wild Ones members' gardens on Signal Mountain - Ruth Blough, Cheri Hubbard, and Nora Bernhardt. You'll have the opportunity to view the gardens, talk to the members, ask questions and hopefully pick up a few good ideas for your own landscape. Lunch will be provided at the final location. Afterwards, you're invited to head over to buy some native plants at the Trailhead Nursery, which is open to the public that Saturday afternoon from 12:00-4:00pm.
We hope that you'll come to this event to learn and to ask questions... but also to share information about your own experiences and to spend time with others who love native plant gardening.
This event is reserved for Wild Ones members only. Limited spaces available. To register, email us.
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Fall Color Hike along
the Ocoee River
with Leon and Pat Bates
Saturday, October 3
FREE to Members Only
Fall tree colors will not yet be at peak in early October. However, vegetation at lower elevations along the Ocoee and surrounding ridges should be spectacular. Pools along the Ocoee upstream and downstream from the Ocoee Whitewater Center reflect brilliant fall colors in red, orange, yellow and purple.
TVWO members will meet at 10:00am at the Ocoee Whitewater Center on Highway 64 and hike downstream along the Ocoee River and return for a 3-mile trip. This handicapped accessible trail follows a paved railroad bed along the south bank of the Ocoee. Following our return to the Whitewater Center for lunch, Wild Ones members may hike "in and out" upstream along the north bank of the Ocoee. This historic trail follows the old Copper Ore Wagon Road and provides panoramic views of pools and colorful foliage. A small fee to the Whitewater Center may be required. Space is limited.
To reserve your spot and to receive hike details, email us at
tnvalleywildones@gmail.com. Be sure to bring your lunch and water to drink.
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Grass Identification Workshop
with Dr. Cheryl Murphy
Saturday, October 10
9:00am - 12:00pm
David Hartman Homeplace
in Red Bank, TN
A benefit for The Friends of the Cumberland Trail's Trailhead Nursery
The workshop will describe how to identify major grasses likely to be used in a native plant landscape. These will include bluestems (Andropogon), plume grasses (Saccharum), switch grasses (Panicum), muhly grasses (Muhlenbergia), love grasses (Eragrostis), grama grasses (Bouteloua), gama grasses (Tripsacum) and bottle brush grass (Elymus). The classroom discussions of how to identify these will be followed by lab sessions with examples of several species of each genus.
Each attendee should bring a hand lens for use in the lab sessions and chair to sit on. The workshop will start with a grass tour from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. The class/lab sessions will be from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The workshop will be held at David Hartman Homeplace in Red Bank.
Dr. Murphy is a Faculty Associate in the UTC Biology, Geology and Environmental Science Department and has a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas.
This workshop is a benefit for The Friends of the Cumberland Trail's Trailhead Nursery with a $20 donation requested, to be collected at the workshop. Grasses will be available for purchase.
If interested in attending, please email Bill Moll at
WHMoll@aol.com or call 423-702-5779. Advance registration is required - class size is limited. Upon registration, further details will be provided.
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Citizen Forester Training Workshops
Take Root, a program of the Chattanooga Tree Commission is once again offering Citizen Forester training workshops this fall to Chattanooga residents.
Workshops are held on Saturday morning from 9:00am to noon at several different locations around the Chattanooga area. Not only will you learn about the importance of maintaining a healthy tree canopy, but how to plant, locate and care for your trees.
Participants will also receive a certificate for a free small tree (Redbud or Flowering Dogwood) for pickup in November when conditions are ideal for planting trees.
This year, there will be two beginner workshops and one advanced workshop. Beginner workshops are for people who don't know a lot about trees; the advanced workshop is for those that do or have attended a beginner class. The dates, places and times are listed below:
Beginner Classes (choose one):
Saturday, October 3, Audubon Acres, 9 am - Noon
Saturday October 17, Greenway Farm, Hixson, 9 am - Noon
Advanced Class:
Saturday, November 21, The Barn Nursery, 9 am - Noon
Classes will be taught by International Society of Aboriculture certified arborists. There is a $20 registration fee for each workshop, payable at the beginning of class. To register, email Chattanooga Urban Forester Gene Hyde at
ghyde@chattanooga.gov or call him at
(423) 634-6839. Class sizes are limited, so sign up soon!
Take Root is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to advocate for a healthy and sustainable urban forest through education and proper tree planting and care.
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Tennessee Valley Wild Ones Chapter News
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Tennessee Valley Chapter Board Elections
At the November Annual Meeting (November 14 at Greenway Farm), the Tennessee Valley Wild Ones chapter will be holding elections for three officer positions and two Board positions: President, Vice-President, Treasurer and two at-large Directors. All but the President position are for two-year terms, with the President to complete Dennis Bishop's term which has one year remaining.
The Nominating Committee comprising Marcia Stevens, Beverly Inman-Ebel and Sally Wencel have started the process but invite members to put forward names of people to consider for these slots.
If you would like to recommend someone (including yourself), please contact Sally Wencel. Please contact Sally by September 22, 2015 with recommendations so that the Nominating Committee can give full consideration to all candidates in selecting the slate it will present to the Board for approval at the Board's October meeting.
Nominations will also be taken from the floor during Annual Meeting in compliance with chapter bylaws. For more information about Board positions, click here.
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Reflection Riding Plant Sale:
The Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones will have an information table at the Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center's Fall Plant Sale on Thursday, September 10th, 2 PM - 7 PM, Friday, September 11th, 9 AM - 4 PM, and on Saturday, September 12th, 9 AM - 4 PM.
Our goal is to present the organization to the public, promote native habitats in our backyards, and promote the use of sound environmental practices. We would like to have at least two members at the table throughout the sale. If you can volunteer for a couple hours or more, please contact Louise Gilley, Co-Chair of Public Information & Education, by phone or email, and let her know what day and times are most convenient for you. Phone 423-309-7988 or
louisegilley@gmail.com.
This is a great way to help out your chapter and get to know other chapter members, before or after shopping for your own native plants.
Hamilton County Fair:
Our chapter will have an information booth at the Hamilton County Fair at Chester Frost Park, Hixson, on September 26 and 27. The booth will promote our organization and inform the public of the problem with pesticides in our environment, particularly the impact of neonicotinoids on our pollinator population.
Ann Brown is spearheading this effort and is looking for volunteers to staff the booth both days. Please contact Ann if you can give a couple hours or more to help your chapter spread the word. Her email is brownw01@yahoo.com. Ann will contact volunteers with the schedule, directions, etc.
Symposium Committee:
Our annual Native Plant Symposium is scheduled for Saturday, March 5, 2016. Speakers and venue have already been selected, but we can use new volunteers to help with everything from registration to speaker liaison to promotion. Several meetings will be scheduled between now and March, so you'll have the opportunity to meet other Wild Ones members and become involved in this fun and educational program presented by our chapter.
For more information or to volunteer for the Symposium Committee, contact Dennis Bishop at
dbishop331@yahoo.com.
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News from the Wild Ones National Meeting
From Sally Wencel, Tennessee Valley Chapter member and National Vice-President
The Wild Ones National Board has selected an Executive Director to replace Donna VanBuecken who is retiring this fall after serving as Wild Ones first and only ED. Stay tuned for announcements about the new Executive Director!
At Annual Meeting August 14-16, the Board also elected Tim Lewis to continue serving as President to help guide the new Executive Director and I was re-elected as Vice-President.
One of the major educational items during Annual Meeting was the need for Wild Ones to expand our social media presence. If you haven't already started following Wild Ones on Facebook, as well as joined our chapter Facebook page, I encourage you to do so. I posted a video showing Tim Lewis releasing Monarch Butterflies at the WILD Center
. Be sure to check that out as well as other informational posts!
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SAVE THE DATE!!
Saturday, March 5, 2016
The sixth annual Tennessee Valley Wild Ones native plant symposium promises to be another outstanding opportunity to learn about native plant gardening from three accomplished and respected experts, so mark your calendar for March 5, 2016 NOW.
Click
here f
or more information about featured speakers
for
Registration information will be coming soon.
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Pipevine Swallowtail Life Cycle in Progress
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Starting on June 17th, TVWO member Mike O'Brien noticed a female Pipevine Swallowtail (
Battus philenor
) laying eggs on a Pipevine
(Aristolochia macrophylla)
in his garden in north Alabama. Mike has photographed the development of the eggs and generously shared the process with us.
In our July newsletter, we saw photos of the freshly laid eggs, as well as the tiny caterpillars emerging from the eggs only six days later. And last month's newsletter featured the caterpillars, their growth and the transformation to a chrysalis. And this month, we see the chrysalis case, just after eclosing, after several weeks of incubation...and then the magnificent Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly!
Our previous newsletters are available by clicking here. Click
here
to learn more about the Pipevine, the larval host for the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly.
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| Pipevine Swallowtail case, just after eclosing. |
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| Female Pipevine Swallowtail is laying eggs on a pipevine plant in this photo. Eggs are orange at the tip of her abdomen. |
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Photos from the Garden
from Wild Ones member Mike O'Brien
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Enjoy Mike's recent photos from the outdoors!
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Scolid wasps on goldenrod
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| Green Lynx Spider on Cosmos |
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| Digger Wasp on Hoary Mountain Mint |
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| Flower of Elephantopus tomentosus (Hairy Elephant's Foot) |
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Mated Snowberry Clearwing Moths
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Wild Ones: Native Plants. Natural Landscapes is a national non-profit organization with over 50 chapters in 13 states that promotes environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities. Please read more information about Wild Ones at www.wildones.org.
We offer guest speakers, field trips and other special events throughout the year, as well as an annual native plant and natural landscaping symposium in early spring.
To contact our chapter, email us at tnvalleywildones@gmail.com
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