Events

Meeting of Boulder regional coordinators to plan for upcoming events, organize supplies, prioritize purchase of additional supplies. 

Help us kick off the new year with fellow Pikes Peak Region members!  Join us in Colorado Springs for coffee/tea and light snacks while we get to know each other and plan out the 2025 new year.  This is a great time to share what you are interested in and what you would like to see offered this year!  Nonmembers welcome!  Please join us!

Questions?  Please contact Sue Wright at [email protected].

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller

Join us in southeast Denver.

This month our social hour will continue to focus on propagation, since that's on our minds at this time of year. We'll chat about various propagation methods and share what species we've already started or want to start. Of course, feel free to bring up any other topic you're curious about as well! It'll be a great opportunity to share and gather helpful information from others.

We'll be back at the location on Arapahoe between Quebec and I25 - address will be shared upon registration.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/AE5XZZayaznci8WN8

All members are welcome.  Please email us if you are interested in attending.

Let's get together and talk about native plant gardening plans! This is an informal social time to commune with fellow native plant enthusiasts. It can be a chance to inquire about or share our experiences gardening with natives or just have coffee with others.

Questions?  Contact Sue [email protected]

“Together we’re building a vibrant community of Coloradoscaping in the Pikes Peak region!”

Please join Wild Ones Front Range, in partnership with Cool Boulder, for a fun and cost-free winter workshop! Come start native seeds with us!

The sow-bag method for winter planting will be explained and demonstrated, with supplies provided to make your own & take home. This is a beginner-friendly way to get your hands dirty and grow your own native plants!  We will provide seeds for native plant species which do well with winter sowing, but feel free to bring seeds you picked up from our December 8th seed swap as well.  If you have any questions about whether those seeds are appropriate, consult the Germination Guide (https://frontrange.wildones.org/wp-content/images/sites/105/2024/07/Germination-Guide-7924-pdf.pdf) or bring them and ask!

Informal social time to commune with fellow native plant enthusiasts. Time to inquire of others and share our experiences gardening with natives.

We will socialize and share information/experience with each other about all things regarding native plants.

Mystified by the soil underground? 

Soil is living and not living and determines whether we thrive or perish on Earth. Join Kristine in the first of this two-part series (read more about Part Two, on Feb 26, below), as she lays out a foundation for how soil works, its complexity and interaction with plants.

She'll introduce the concept of Planetary Boundaries, a set of   ecological processes which keep the Earth stable and functioning. The way we garden, especially the way we interact with soil, adds up to help or hinder environmental systems.  

Starting with basic concepts about soil and how plants, microbes, and human beings interact with it, Kristine will move to practical applications for lightening our impacts and helping support pollinators, birds, and water and land conservation. 

Kristine Johnson consults on soil, water, fire, biodiversity, climate, equity, and community building. She is a Colorado Native Plant Master and Master Gardener, Boulder Pollinator Advocate, and is certified in water harvesting design. She focuses on climate resilient landscapes, with an intersection of habitat and species diversity, wildfire, carbon sequestration, urban heat, water and people. Kristine serves as a Wild Ones Front Range Chapter Board member and Boulder Regional Coordinator.

Members $5, Nonmembers $25

Register here for the February 12th webinar.  All registrants will receive the webinar recording within about a week after the webinar.  Registration will close at noon on February 12th.

Be engaged!  Meet new people!  Make a difference!  

Build relationships with other members, share gardening experiences, and make new connections. Please join us for an  informal meet-up to talk about native plants, challenges in our gardens, pollinators, and more. This is a time to mingle and get to know other native plant enthusiasts. 

Members and non-members are welcome.

Bring one challenge you are having or one goal you want to accomplish in 2025.

Questions?  Contact Sue at [email protected]

Location: NE Colorado Springs. Specific location provided upon registration.

Registere here!

All members are welcome.  Please email us if you are interested in attending.

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.

Please join us for a members only 2-hour workshop on starting native plants from seed with Allisa Zurbuchen, CSU Extension Horticulture Specialist in El Paso County. This is a hands-on workshop, and you will be leaving with samples of native plant seeds to get you started!   

Allisa is currently working on her Ph.D. researching container production of Colorado Native Plants.   She will be covering a host of topics relative to starting native plants from seeds including what is a native plant, seed science basics, propagation methods adapted for home growers, and exposure to a variety of native plant species.

Event limited to 15 participants.

Questions?   Contact Sue at [email protected]

Join us for a fun and informative two-hour workshop on winter sowing seeds in milk jugs! We'll provide all the supplies you need - jugs, soil, seeds - and you'll be able to take home a mini nursery or two! All of the plants you grow can be added to your own yard, given away to help others add native plants to their spaces, or donated to the Denver plant swap this summer. Whatever you choose to do with them, you'll be contributing to the health of our local biosphere. And it's just plain fun to watch them sprout and grow!

Don't miss this Wednesday's presentation on the biological perspective of life underground! Register now!

Soil is living and not living,  and determines whether we thrive or perish on Earth. Join Kristine Johnson, as she introduces the concept of Planetary Boundaries, a set of ecological processes which keep the Earth stable and functioning. The way we garden, especially the way we interact with soil, adds up to help or hinder environmental systems.

IN THE SECOND of this two-part series, Kristine will focus on the life in soil and how to care for it to best support all the creatures in our backyard ecosystems as well as to help do a little planetary healing.

Kristine Johnson consults on soil, water, fire, biodiversity, climate, equity, and community building. She is a Colorado Native Plant Master and Master Gardener, Boulder Pollinator Advocate, and is certified in water harvesting design. She focuses on climate resilient landscapes, with an intersection of habitat and species diversity, wildfire, carbon sequestration, urban heat, water and people. Kristine serves as a Wild Ones Front Range Chapter Board member and Boulder Regional Coordinator.

Note: you don't have to attend Part 1 to attend Part 2

Members $5, Nonmembers $25

Register here for the February 26th webinar.  All registrants will receive the webinar recording within about a week after the webinar. Registration will close on February 25th at 9:00pm.

Please join us at the 2nd Annual Louisville Seed Share in Louisville at the Louisville Library!  We are partnering with the Louisville Public Library and Bee City USA to bring you this FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC event.  We will be focusing on native flowering plants which don't require winter stratification to germinate.

You do not need  to provide seeds to participate! 

However, if you would like to donate native seeds prior to the event (and we do need native seeds) please make sure you label them with the scientific name, common name, your first initial and last name, address/elevation where harvested and the month/year.  Seeds brought to the event will also require this information and will be inventoried for future seed sharing events.  For more information on donating seeds please email Kristine or Kim  at [email protected] or [email protected] 

This is a native (Colorado and regional) seed share; we are looking for seeds of plants native to Colorado and neighboring states. And please, no seeds treated with pesticides. 

Questions?  Contact Kim or Kristine at the addresses above.

One of our Boulder members has been diligently stratifying seeds and propagating seedings, and she needs some help!  This small volunteer event/workshop will have two parts:  first, we will sow stratified seeds in containers, and second, we will “bump” (transplant) seedlings into bigger containers.  We expect to have more of these events, and there is limited space, so if you don't get in, don't worry.  There will be some mess (dirty fingers).   Also, if you have been diligently propagating at home and need help bumping for the swap, let us know, and we'll schedule an event just like this for you.  If you have never sown, if you have never bumped, you are still welcome to join, and we will teach you.  Registration required, space limited.

Join regional co-coordinator Kristine on a hike trying to identify seedheads and leafing out plants and see the very first spring wildflowers (maybe) on a 4-5 mile hike in the Boulder County foothills, location TBD (likely Shanahan Ridge, Flatirons Vista, or Gregory Canyon).  Email Kristine (kristinekjohnson at icloud dot com) to coordinate… all of these locations work best with carpools.  Wear appropriate footwear (hiking boots or trail shoes), bring water, bring a snack.  Sunscreen is suggested.  

We get together and discuss all things related to native plants.

Please join the Northern Region for a Free Winter Native Seed Sowing Workshop at a classroom in Fort Collins on Saturday, March 2, 2025, 1–3 PM. 

You don’t need any experience, and we will provide all the materials for starting seeds using the plastic bag method for winter sowing outside. Feel free to bring your own native seeds to plant; we will also provide seeds for these species:

Echinacea angustifolia (narrow-leafed purple coneflower)

Liatris punctata (dotted blazing star or gay feather)

Penstemon secundiflorus (sidebells penstemon)

Click here to register for the Winter Native Seed Sowing Workshop. In the Comment section of the registration form, please indicate if you are a Member or a Guest.   Guests are always welcome to attend an event to learn more about Wild Ones before becoming a member. 

If you are interested in carpooling to the workshop, please join the carpool.

This month, join us to check in on how your seeds are doing and learn more about seed sowing in general.

It's not too late to start sowing seeds! Many plants need little or no cold stratification and we'll have a list of those for you along with some other resources. If you're fostering seeds planted at the February event, we'd love to have you tell us how it's going!

We'll meet at a central Denver location to be shared upon registration.

All members are welcome.  Please email us if you are interested in attending.

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.

Yay…  it's social time again!  Please join us for an evening of native plant community, collaboration, and fun!  

Bring pictures of your yards and gardens.    We will be on hand to assist you with decisions on native plant selections for your landscape.  Whether you are replacing, starting new, adding features, or just want a second opinion--we can help!  

Members--let's double the fun!  Bring a guest!

Let us know that you're coming!  Questions?  Contact Sue at [email protected]

One of our Boulder members has been diligently stratifying seeds and propagating seedings, and she needs some help!  This small volunteer event/workshop will have two parts:  first, we will sow stratified seeds in containers, and second, we will “bump” (transplant) seedlings into bigger containers.  We expect to have more of these events, and there is limited space, so if you don't get in, don't worry.  There will be some mess (dirty fingers).   Also, if you have been diligently propagating at home and need help bumping for the swap, let us know, and we'll schedule an event just like this for you.  If you have never sown, if you have never bumped, you are still welcome to join, and we will teach you.  Registration required, space limited.

Want to Know What's in the Works Along the Front Range for 2025?

Join us for our annual Member Meeting to celebrate our accomplishments in 2024, review our 2025 priorities, and discuss ways to get more involved with our chapter!

Pull up a seat for our free, virtual gathering!

Zoom link will be sent to registrants in the meeting reminder.

Update:  moving hike up to 9 am, meeting at Flatirons Vista Trailhead (overflow parking at Greenbelt Plateau Trailhead nearby).  Email Kristine to RSVP!  Two dogs will be present!

Join regional co-coordinator Kristine on a hike trying to identify seedheads and leafing out plants and see early spring wildflowers (hopefully!) on a 4-6 mile hike in the Boulder County foothills, location TBD (likely Betasso Preserve, Goshawk Ridge, or Flatirons Vista).  Email Kristine (kristinekjohnson at icloud dot com) to coordinate… all of these locations work best with carpools.  Wear appropriate footwear (hiking boots or trail shoes), bring water, bring a snack.  Sunscreen is suggested.  

Be a Jeffco Propagator!  Jeffco Propagators will plant native seeds in trays and containers to take home to watch over until the June 14 Plant Share. New and experienced gardeners are welcome to participate.  Materials and guidance will be provided.

This event is limited to registered Wild Ones members.

You'll receive the location of our meeting via email after your Wild Ones membership is confirmed.

Registration is full for this date and time.

Be a Jeffco Propagator!  Jeffco Propagators will plant native seeds in trays and containers to take home to watch over until the June 14 Plant Share. New and experienced gardeners are welcome to participate.  Materials and guidance will be provided.

This event is limited to registered Wild Ones members.

You'll receive the location of our meeting via email after your Wild Ones membership is confirmed.

Be a Jeffco Propagator!  Jeffco Propagators will plant native seeds in trays and containers to take home to watch over until the June 14 Plant Share. New and experienced gardeners are welcome to participate.  Materials and guidance will be provided.

This event is limited to registered Wild Ones members.

You'll receive the location of our meeting via email after your Wild Ones membership is confirmed.

Be a Jeffco Propagator!  Jeffco Propagators will plant native seeds in trays and containers to take home to watch over until the June 14 Plant Share. New and experienced gardeners are welcome to participate.  Materials and guidance will be provided.

This event is limited to registered Wild Ones members.

You'll receive the location of our meeting via email after your Wild Ones membership is confirmed.

We will be working with the city of Lakewood to pot up native seedlings.

Registration is full.

Spring propagation workshop. 2-4 pm  We will be sowing seeds which don’t need stratification.  Everyone will take home a flat to babysit, and we hope that leftovers are brought to the plant swap.  Members only, please register in advance to get the address.

Wild Ones Front Range member, Julie, will share her experience growing native plants from seed indoors and will provide us with a tour of her growing area.  Please come prepared to learn and ask questions as well as to share your own successess and challenges with growing native plants indoors.

This event is for current members of the Wild Ones Front Range chapter.  If you are considering becoming a member, you may attend one member event to get to know our organization better before joining.  We just ask that you enter "Guest" in the comments section of the sign up.

We will be working with Lakewood Parks Dept to pot up native seedlings.

Registration is full.

While most in-person propagation activity is happening at the regional level, we’d like to resume periodic chapter zoom meetings about propagation with our expert, Jan Midgley. This free, virtual event is open chapter-wide, and we invite you to RSVP. Jan will update us on specific species she is working on figuring out germination protocols for, and she will cover some really timely propagation topics (this is a teaser, but timing of sowing! annuals! the use of indoor lights! and more!) A final agenda will be sent to registrants the week of the event. 

For over 30 years Jan operated a one wheelbarrow native plant nursery in MD and AL. She

kept detailed notes on every step of the propagation process for each species. The notes

supported the writing of articles, lectures, and books. She continues to self publish Native

Plant Propagation, 5th edition.

After a move to CO seven years ago, Jan embarked on a crash coarse on the flora of the

Southern Rockies. She now volunteers arranging specimens two days a week at the Denver

Botanic Gardens Herbarium. The rest of the time she “plays” with seeds and maintains a

Germination Guide for Colorado native plant seeds on the Wild Ones Front Range Chapter

website.

How do you extend the seasons of your garden?

We will visit the garden at the private home of Jean Morgan in Louisville. Jean has been gardening for longer than all of us, we guarantee it, and her skill, eye, and whimsy have gotten her into countless garden tours over the years. (Really. Do a web search.) The focus of our two visits to Jean's garden will be right plant, right place and blooming the whole year. (Jean has flowers blooming ten months of the year.) Look forward to another visit in September. After an hour with Jean, we'll head to Louisville Community Park for a brown bag social (pack a lunch!). Jean's address to be emailed to registrants the week of the crawl.

Please join us  for our 2nd Annual Native Plant Swap  on June 1st, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, in Colorado Springs!  

Let's grow a vibrant native plant community in the Pikes Peak Region!  Bring native plants to share or just bring yourself.  You do not need to bring a plant to receive a plant.  

 New to native plants?  Welcome!  You'll be glad you came! 

Please mark the date on your calendar.  Registration is required.  Sign up today!  You won’t want to miss it! 

Together we're building a vibrant community of Coloradoscaping in the Pikes Peak Region!

COLORADOSCAPING is…

Landscaping for where you live: Coloradoscaping emphasizes the use of plants that are native to the state of Colorado and the Western US, inherently thrive in Colorado’s different climates and conditions, and celebrate Colorado’s natural beauty.

The first annual Jeffco Regional Native Plant Share strives to put native plants in the hands of home gardeners increasing the population of native plants in our environment.

We will accept donations of native plant seedlings the day before the event. One does not need to donate plants to adopt plants.

This event will be limited to registered Wild Ones members, but each member will be able to bring ONE non-member guest.  This event is not open to the public.  

A signup link for volunteers will be sent to Jeffco members closer to the event. 

The annual NoCO Plant Swap & Giveaway supports geting more native plants into landscapes along the Front Range!

Bring your extra native plant seedlings to donate and/or pick up some new species to try in your garden.  You DO NOT need to donate plants to take home some free plants.

There are multiple ways to volunteer for this fun and impactful event.  CLICK HERE  to sign up for various event opportunities with the NoCO Swaps Committee.

SAVE THE DATE!! We're finalizing plans for our 2025 Denver Metro Region Plant Swap! 

We know it'll be on June 21, 2025 from 10 am - Noon.

As soon as we have the location confirmed, registration will open and more information will be provided.

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon!