Chapter Events

Matt Meersman, President of the Friends of the St. Joe River Association, will join us to talk about our local watershed!

Most people drive past the wildest places every day without knowing they're there. Matt Meersman found them through paddling — and in doing so, found a way to see his impact, his home, and his neighbors reflected in the water that connects us all. In this talk, he shares what two decades on the water have taught him about this remarkable watershed some call Michiana.

Matt Meersman grew up near the St. Joseph River and spent summers at his family's lake cottage in southern Michigan. He now lives along the river in downtown South Bend and works as Director of the St. Joseph River Basin Commission and President of the Friends of the St. Joe River Association. When he's not working on watershed projects, you'll likely find him paddling upstream — literally — in preparation for some of the longest and most demanding canoe races in the world. He'll tell you that his passion for conservation and his passion for canoe racing come from exactly the same place: a love of being in and on the water, and a deep appreciation for doing hard things.
 

You planted native. Your neighbor has opinions. Maybe your HOA does too. If you’ve ever felt like the hardest part of native plant gardening is the conversations, not the gardening, you’re not alone.

Wild Ones is thrilled to share this upcoming free webinar as part of the 2026 Less Lawn More Life Challenge. Join Lorraine Johnson for a practical conversation on navigating HOA rules, addressing neighbor concerns, and fostering community conversations about native plant gardening and ecological landscapes.

Aaron Sawatsky-Kingsley, Goshen City Forester and  Environmental Resilience Department Lead, will join us to chat about Goshen's efforts to support community native trees. 

Wild Ones South Bend is hosting a free community screening of the 60 minute documentary The Extraordinary Caterpillar.  The film was made in partnership with entomologist Doug Tallamy of Homegrown National Park. The Extraordinary Caterpillar follows the scientists and community activists with a peek into the dazzling world of nature’s tiniest superheroes. Suitable for all ages.

Lindsey Spaulding will lead a drop in tour of Milkweed Commons's native garden. Milkweed Commons is an urban development project on the 500 block of South Michigan which includes rehabilitation of two historic mixed-use buildings and transformation of the adjacent vacant lots into community green spaces. The larger of the two lots will be a Pocket Park and the smaller will be a Micro Farm. The project is led by Herstoric Development, with their non-profit arm Milkweed Gardens Inc. stewarding the outdoor spaces.

Native plants are the foundation of habitat, but wildlife need more than food to thrive. Join ecologist and Certified Wildlife Biologist Shaun McCoshum, PhD, to explore how nesting sites, shelter, water, soil conditions, and other often-overlooked resources can transform a yard into a functioning ecosystem that supports biodiversity year-round.

Registration link coming soon.

Dr. Cortwright of Indiana University Northwest will join us to chat about our local amphibians.

What does it really take to turn a conventional lawn into a thriving native meadow? Join Owner & Principal, New Directions in the American Landscape (NDAL), Sara Weaner Cooper for a candid look at her family's ongoing lawn-to-meadow transformation featured in The New York Times and BBC. Drawing from three years of hands-on experience, Sara will share the methods, lessons learned, successes, and challenges of converting turfgrass into a dynamic native plant community. Participants will gain practical insights into site preparation, planting, management, and the ecological principles that guide successful meadow establishment, along with realistic expectations for how these landscapes evolve over time.

Registration link coming soon.

John Brittenham of Blue Heron Restoration: “Fire Dependent Ecosystems”

Bats are among the most important and misunderstood wildlife in our communities. Join experts from Bat Conservation International to explore how native plants, healthy insect populations, and thoughtful landscape design can help support bats. Learn about the ecological role of bats and discover practical ways to create habitat for North America's night flyers right in your own backyard.

Registration link coming soon.

Presenter: Indiana's State Botanist, Scott Namestneck

Monarch butterflies depend on a network of habitats stretching across North America, and home landscapes can play an important role in their survival. Join experts from Monarch Joint Venture to explore the science behind monarch conservation, including the importance of milkweed, nectar resources, and regionally appropriate habitat. Learn practical ways to support monarchs through native landscaping and help sustain one of the world's most remarkable migrations.
 

Registration link coming soon.