Events

Fireflies are more than just a nostalgic childhood memory; they are vital indicators of a healthy ecosystem. In this presentation, Xerces Ambassador Mei Ling Liu explores the science-based efforts of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation to protect these essential insects and their habitats. We will dive into the specific challenges fireflies face area and discuss actionable, science-backed strategies for conservation—from reducing pesticide use to implementing effective light pollution mitigation.

About Our Speaker

Mei Ling Liu serves as the Education Specialist for the Texas Conservation Alliance, educating the public on how to build better habitats through native plants and dark sky advocacy. As a Texas Master Naturalist, she is passionate about empowering others to become stewards of the natural world.

In 2025, Mei Ling became an Ambassador for the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. She is a vocal advocate for the science-based preservation of invertebrates and the global conservation efforts needed to protect the habitats that sustain them.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.