Events

All are welcome to join this free virtual panel discussion exploring the vital roles of native, solitary, and honeybees in pollination and biodiversity. Featuring experts Sam Droege (USGS), Dave Hunter (Crown Bees), and Dr. Lora Morandin (Pollinator Partnership), this event will discuss into the challenges pollinators face, the balance between managed and wild bees, and actionable ways to support all pollinators.

Gain insights from over 90 years of combined experience and learn how to advocate for pollinator habitats through planting native species, participating in community science, and adopting responsible management practices.

A Wild Ones Certified Native Habitat is a symbol of your dedication to biodiversity, ecological restoration, and the creation of a nurturing environment where native flora and fauna can thrive. A certified native habitat demonstrates your support for beneficial pollinators, birds, and other wildlife, and contributes to a healthier, more sustainable environment.

Join us on Thursday, February 27th, 2025 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM CDT to learn about Wild Ones, their Certified Native Habitat program, and the step-by-step process to qualify your landscape.

Public gardens hold tremendous power to influence landscaping norms and inspire change. By showcasing the beauty, functionality, and ecological value of native plants, these spaces help foster biodiversity, advocate for sustainable practices, and engage communities in environmental stewardship. 

This webinar will explore how public and demonstration gardens serve as powerful tools for native plant advocacy. Attendees will learn how gardens move beyond aesthetics to spark action—turning appreciation into engagement and inspiring participants to replicate these practices in their own communities.

We will hear insights from Nicole Machuca, Environmental Social Scientist at the Field Museum, on how public gardens influence behaviors, foster stewardship, and connect people to conservation efforts through research and community engagement. The Wild Ones Capital Region NY and the Wild Ones San Diego (CA) Chapters will share their experiences building native plant demonstration gardens and how these spaces drive community engagement, education, and advocacy. And We'll finish with a conversation exploring how public gardens create a lasting impact beyond planting day moderated by Kelly Kapuzzi, Demonstration Garden Char with the Wild Ones Hocking Hills (OH) Chapter.

Dallas Zoo Conservation & Native Plant Propagation Center Tour

Join us for a special behind-the-scenes experience at the Dallas Zoo Hoop House and Greenhouse! This event offers a unique opportunity to explore the zoo’s conservation efforts, connect with fellow native plant enthusiasts, and learn about exciting programs dedicated to habitat restoration and plant propagation.

We’ll begin with a Meet & Greet, followed by an exclusive tour of the Dallas Zoo’s Hoop House and Greenhouse, where vital plant conservation work takes place.

After the tour, we’ll reconvene for insightful presentations:
The Dallas Zoo Conservation Department will share details about the 12x12 Priority & Texas conservation programs, highlighting efforts to protect native ecosystems.
TCA will introduce the Plant Propagation Center and Plant Match programs, showcasing initiatives that support the growth and distribution of native plants.

The event will conclude with a Q&A session, offering a chance to ask questions and discuss ways to support conservation efforts.

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge, network with like-minded individuals, and deepen your understanding of native plant conservation. We hope to see you there!

We often hear, “My HOA won't let me plant native plants!” Many homeowners want to incorporate native plants into their landscapes to save water, support local wildlife, and create beautiful, low-maintenance yards. However, HOA guidelines can sometimes feel like a roadblock. The good news? Texas state law protects water-wise landscaping! But HOA's can still require that your water-wise landscaping fit into the general aesthetic of the neighborhood. How can we encourage the use of more native plants in our communities and still make HOAs happy? 

Join us for an informative webinar with Diane Wetherbee, a Texas Master Naturalist and experienced environmental educator. Diane will share strategies for successfully working with your HOA, tips for designing beautiful native plant landscapes that meet HOA guidelines, and a positive approach for overcoming resistance.

About the Speaker:
Diane Wetherbee is a Texas Master Naturalist, as well as a member of the Native Prairies Association of Texas and the Native Plant Society of Texas. She is a Certified Citizen Forester and is a board member of the Cross Timbers Urban Forestry Council. She also serves as vice chair of the board of The Flower Mound Foundation, caretakers of the 12.5-acre prairie remnant that gives the town its name. After a career in corporate communications and product marketing, she turned to her first love – the natural world. She was an interpretive naturalist and environmental educator at LLELA for 12 years and is ABD (All But Dissertation) toward a Ph.D. in forestry at Stephen F. Austin State University. In her spare time, she serves as a member of Lantana’s Denton County Fresh Water Supply District 7 board of directors and is chair of the Lantana HOA Architectural Review Committee.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to make your home and neighborhood more sustainable while keeping your HOA on board!

Mark your calendars for TCA’s Native Plant Sale - May 17th from 11 AM - 3 PM located at Wild Birds Unlimited in Flower Mound, TX.

Native plants provide food and shelter for pollinators and other wildlife, conserve water, mitigate flooding and erosion, filter runoff, sequester carbon, amongst many other benefits .

At the Native Plant Sale, choose from many different species of native plants, including grasses, forbs, and shrubs so that you can help protect wildlife at your own home!

PRE-ORDER AVAILABLE - Place and order for your plants online for quick and easy pick-up at the sale! Pre-orders must be picked up at the location, date, and time of the sale.

**PRE-ORDER LINK: https://www.tcatexas.org/wbu-plant-sale

* No RSVP necessary to attend *

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: 

Wild Ones DFW will be assisting with the setup and operations of the plant sale and will be hosting an information table. Please reach out to [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering. 

Join Wild Ones National Board President Loris Damerow for a special presentation as part of Week 3 of the 2025 Less Lawn More Life Challenge, “Native Plants Planted Right.” Loris will walk us through the basics of native plant gardening- from choosing the right plants to planting and maintaining them with confidence.

Join us on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 5 p.m. CT for the YouTube Live premiere of this 30-minute webinar. Native plant experts from  Wild Ones, Plan it Wild, Homegrown National Park, ReWild Your Campus, and others will be active in the live chat throughout the presentation and for 30 minutes after the webinar, giving you plenty of time to ask questions and engage! 

This event is designed for newcomers to native gardening and is part of the national Less Lawn More Life Challenge, hosted by Plan It Wild in collaboration with Wild Ones, iNaturalist, Homegrown National Park, Pollinator Partnership  and many others! 

See more about the Less Lawn More Life Challenge:  https://www.lesslawnmorelife.com/ 

Water Conservation with Native Plants

Dustan Compton, Regional Conservation Program Manager, for the Tarrant Regional Water District provides a local water resource outlook, discusses the need and benefits of water conservation, and explains the role that native plants in your landscape can play in a comprehensive water conservation strategy.  

Attendees will learn individual best practices for water conservation and receive information about the upcoming the Texas Water-Efficient Products Sales Tax Holiday from Saturday, May 24 through Monday, May 26.

About Our Speaker

Dustan Compton is the Regional Conservation Program Manager at Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) with eighteen years of experience focusing on water conservation programs, community outreach and regional coordination. TRWD supplies water to more than 2 million North Texans.
 

Discover Plants That Do More Than Look Good:  Talking “Plants with Purpose” by Monika Maeckle.

Join Wild Ones DFW: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes, and co-host Wild Ones South Central Texas for a special online presentation featuring author Monika Maeckle, who will introduce her new book, Plants with Purpose: Twenty-five Ecosystem Multitaskers, recently published by Texas A&M Press (May 19, 2025).

In this engaging session, Maeckle explores a fresh approach to plant selection by asking practical and ecological questions of each featured species:

Can you eat it or make tea from it? Does it serve wildlife or offer health benefits? Is it low maintenance or have a compelling cultural story? Does it provide a unique service to your landscape?

Every plant included in the book had to answer "yes" to at least three of these criteria—not including beauty. As Maeckle argues, in a time of increasing ecological urgency, aesthetic appeal alone is no longer enough. Our landscapes deserve—and ecosystems require—plants that work harder.

Whether you're a gardener, naturalist, or simply plant-curious, this presentation will inspire you to think differently about what grows in your yard and why.

About the Author:
Monika Maeckle is a San Antonio-based gardener, monarch butterfly tagger, and founder of the Texas Butterfly Ranch website and the city’s annual Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival. With a long career in media, she also co-founded the San Antonio Report, where she remains a contributor. Maeckle’s passion for pollinators led her to work closely with the National Wildlife Federation to designate San Antonio as the nation’s first Monarch Butterfly Champion City and to launch a pollinator habitat initiative that now boasts over 1,100 registrants.

She raises butterflies and native plants in her Mariposario garden and at her family’s Llano River ranch, where she and her community have tagged more than 10,000 monarch butterflies—over 60 of which have been recovered in Mexico. Plants with Purpose is her second book and reflects her deep commitment to restoring ecological function to our landscapes through plants that offer more than just good looks.

Event Details:
Thursday, June 19, 2025
7 PM to 8 PM CDT
Via Zoom

Don’t miss this opportunity to reimagine your landscape with purpose-driven, multifunctional plants.

We hope to see you there!

The closing event of this year’s Less Lawn More Life Challenge, will be led by Lisa Olsen, Chapter Liaison at Wild Ones. In this webinar, you’ll learn how small, personal actions like planting native species and removing invasives, can ripple outward to inspire neighbors, change policies, and reshape communities. 

During the premiere, native plant experts from Wild Ones and collaborating organizations will be active in the live chat. They’ll be ready to answer questions, share tips, and connect viewers with resources. The live chat will remain open for 30 minutes after the webinar, giving you plenty of time to ask questions and engage. Please note: You must be logged into a YouTube account to participate in the chat. 

The Less Lawn More Life Challenge is a free, 12-week action series designed to help people transform traditional lawns into vibrant, life-supporting native plant habitat. Each week, participants complete a simple challenge like planting a native shrub, removing invasives, or observing pollinators to reimagine their outdoor space and take meaningful steps toward restoring biodiversity at home. 

It’s not too late to get involved. Catch up on the weekly videos and start your rewilding journey today at https://www.lesslawnmorelife.com/ 

Tough Texas Native Plants for Droughts and Floods

Presentation Details
It’s either too wet or too dry in North Central Texas. What can you plant that can handle both extremes? This program recommends several Tough Texas native plants that work well in a residential landscape setting and manage to survive on their own within our local North Central Texas Cross Timbers and Texas Blackland Prairie ecosystems.

About Our Speaker

Carol Clark is an amateur botany enthusiast, a Texas Master Naturalist, a longtime member of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a Conservation Specialist with Monarch Watch.

She also co-administrates the Texas Native Bee Co-op Facebook page, and chairs the Bring Back the Monarchs to Texas committee. She and her husband own and operate Clark Haven Farm, a wildlife preserve and custom wildflower seed business in Cooke County.

Carol grew up with a nature photographer father and wildlife artist brother, and has spent much of her life looking around and learning in the great outdoors. Her favorite things to do are leading discovery walks in local natural areas and finding and photographing interesting plants and insects.

A Wild Ones Certified Native Habitat is a symbol of your dedication to biodiversity, ecological restoration, and the creation of a nurturing environment where native flora and fauna can thrive. A certified native habitat demonstrates your support for beneficial pollinators, birds, and other wildlife, and contributes to a healthier, more sustainable environment.

Join us on Thursday, August 21st, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM CDT to learn about Wild Ones, their Certified Native Habitat program, and the step-by-step process to qualify your landscape.

About our Speaker:

Trent Cruthis, Vice President, Wild Ones DFW – Grapevine, Texas

As Vice President of Wild Ones DFW, Trent Cruthis is a passionate advocate for native plant conservation and ecological restoration. With a deep-rooted commitment to sustainable landscaping and environmental education, Trent plays a pivotal role in advancing Wild Ones’ mission to connect people with nature through native plants.

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon!