Chapter Events

A fun morning of presentations by local native landscaping professionals, as well as information on grants available for planting native landscapes from our conservation partners!

Interpretive Naturalist and WOSB board member Jan McGowan will be leading chapter members through the old-growth portion of Bendix Woods. This area is vibrant with spring ephemerals this time of year which Jan will help us identify as well as share some interesting facts. Please note this is a members-only event. Be sure to dress for the weather!

Meet at the Runnels Shelter.  Enter the Park gate off of Timothy Road, follow the lane to the first intersection and turn left.  Wild Ones will post directional signage as well!

Wild Ones South Bend volunteers will work with other community volunteers and South Bend Venues Parks & Arts to install native plants and weed invasive species at Pinhook Park. We want to encourage the use of more locally native plants in South Bend parks, as these plants are necessary to support native insects -- including pollinators and fireflies -- as well as birds and other wildlife. Planting natives in public places raises awareness of their importance and beauty and encourages people to plant them in their own yards as well.

Please dress in layers as the weather may be either warm or cold on May 4, and don't forget your sunscreen. South Bend VPA will supply gardening tools, but bring a favorite trowel if you'd like, and work gloves and closed-toe shoes are a good idea. Please bring your own filled water bottles and and any snacks you will need. We will have use of the park's bathrooms. All ages are welcome! 

Park in Pinhook Park's lower parking lot beyond the Community Center, then meet up outside the building's lower level. Look for Libby Feil from Wild Ones South Bend and Mary Wojcik from South Bend Venues Parks & Arts. We'll see you there!

Local native plant vendors will offer a large selection of native plant species just right for your landscapes! Also, education tables provided by our community conservation partners, who look forward to sharing information about their organizations and answering your questions!

This year 3 of our vendors are offering pre-ordering! The Botany Shop is already open to pre-order and Bernacchi's and Blue Fox Farms will start on April 15th (please note that Bernacchi's will NOT be selling plants at the plant sale on May 18th, however, they will have all pre-order plants there for pick up). At checkout, make sure to state your order is for the "Wild Ones Plant Sale". All pre-orders will be ready for pick-up on May 18 at Pinhook Park between 9-3. Follow the links below for vendor pre-order information.

 Bernacchi's Oak Valley Greenhouses - pre-order starts April 15th

 Blue Fox Farms - pre-order starts April 15th

 The Botany Shop - pre-order now open

 Naturally Native Nursery - no pre-order

Sunroom Native Nursery - no pre-order