Upcoming Events

Wild Ones of Greater Cleveland is teaming up with Stark Parks f to offer this cost-effective, low-maintenance way to add native plants to your landscape!

Winter sowing is an outdoor seed-starting technique that requires just two things: miniature greenhouses and Mother Nature! It is one of the most cost-effective ways to add native plants to your landscape. All supplies will be provided for participants to create a mini greenhouse of native plants to take home. This program is part of the Stark  Parks Backyard Habitat Series. For more information visit www.starkparks.com/backyard

Registration Required

Wild Ones Greater Cleveland is hosting a native SEED SWAP on Saturday January 10th.  This event is FREE and open to the public so be sure to invite friends and family!

How to participate:

1. BEFORE COMING: If you bring something hand-collected to swap, please label it with any important information like plant name (common and scientific) and preferred growing conditions (sun vs shade and wet vs dry).Place your DRY bulk cleaned seeds (seeds removed from unwanted plant materials) in a wide mouth jar if you can.  If not, an envelope, pill bottle, or bag will do fine.  

2. AT THE SWAP:  If not in a wide mouth jar, we will transfer the seeds to bowls.  For all seeds, we will make small signs denoting the seed type/information.

3. Attendees will scoop seeds from the bowls, place the seeds in a small envelope and write the plant name on the envelope.

4. Pre-packaged seeds are welcome at the Seed Swap. We ask that guests take only what they will grow. Envelopes are available for taking smaller portions.

5. Bringing seeds is not required for attending the Seed Swap.

Click the READ MORE button to find out about harvesting, cleaning, and collecting!

In addition, we need your help in packing seeds for our 2026 Information Tables throughout Northeast Ohio.  After you're done swapping seeds, please join us to fill seed envelopes and label the envelopes while enjoying the companionship of like-minded people.

We look forward to seeing you!

No registration required; drop in any time
 

Wild Ones is hosting a Native Seed and Social Event on Sunday, January 11th! This event is FREE and open to the public so be sure to invite friends and family!

Dozens of species of native perennials have already been harvested and cleaned, awaiting the final packaging for distribution to an increasing number of people eager to landscape with Ohio's own rich flora.

We will fill seed envelopes and label the envelopes while enjoying the companionship of like-minded people. *BONUS* You will also leave with sample packets of seeds we process and a good feeling about your contribution to making native seeds accessible for many individuals across Northeast Ohio!

Specific address will be emailed upon registration as this is at a WOGC member's home; street parking will be available.

Seeds to be packed include:

--Blue False Indigo, Baptisia australis

--Cardinal Flower, Lobelia cardinalis

--Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca

--Foxglove Beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis

--Gray-headed Coneflower, Ratibida pinnata

--Indian Grass, Sorghastrum nutans

--Marsh Mallow, Hibiscus moscheutos

--Nodding Onion, Allium cernuum

--Prairie Doc, Silphium terebinthinaceum

--Purple Coneflower, Echinaceae purpurea

--Rose Milkweed, Asclepias incarnata

--Showy Goldenrod, Solidago speciosa

--Switch Grass, Panicum virgatum

--Wild White Indigo, Baptisia alba

We look forward to seeing you there!

Wild Ones Greater Cleveland is hosting a native SEED SWAP on Saturday January 17th.  This event is FREE and open to the public so be sure to invite friends and family!

How to participate:

1. BEFORE COMING: If you bring something hand-collected to swap, please label it with any important information like plant name (common and scientific) and preferred growing conditions (sun vs shade and wet vs dry).Place your DRY bulk cleaned seeds (seeds removed from unwanted plant materials) in a wide mouth jar if you can.  If not, an envelope, pill bottle, or bag will do fine.  

2. AT THE SWAP:  If not in a wide mouth jar, we will transfer the seeds to bowls.  For all seeds, we will make small signs denoting the seed type/information.

3. Attendees will scoop seeds from the bowls, place the seeds in a small envelope and write the plant name on the envelope.

4. Pre-packaged seeds are welcome at the Seed Swap. We ask that guests take only what they will grow. Envelopes are available for taking smaller portions.

5. Bringing seeds is not required for attending the Seed Swap.

Click the READ MORE button to find out about harvesting, cleaning, and collecting!

In addition, we need your help in packing seeds for our 2026 Information Tables throughout Northeast Ohio.  After you're done swapping seeds, please join us to fill seed envelopes and label the envelopes while enjoying the companionship of like-minded people.

We look forward to seeing you!

No registration required; drop in any time
 

Happy New Year! Wild Ones Greater Cleveland is excited to ring in 2026 with you with an exciting walk at Historic Snake Hill Trail! Nestled in the historic Old Brooklyn neighborhood of Cleveland with very close proximity to the Cleveland Metropark Zoo, join us for an amazing, fun-filled day of walking, connections, nature, and history amidst the dreamy NE OH winter landscapes. This independent nature preserve - interestingly not in the Metropark system - was created and managed by community grassroot efforts through engaging neighbors, friends, activists, and fellow lovers of nature to preserve a very important component to our neighborhoods and cities: untouched nature and greenspace for all! 

We'll learn of the former streets that used to weave through this surprisingly-expansive and pretty-well-hidden neighborhood gem; Streets now reclaimed by nature that used to be used by the neighborhood factory workers on their walking commutes to the factories that use to occupy the land where the Cleveland Metroparks now sit. We'll also see an amazing tree canopy, native restoration in action, an array of birds and other animals should they come out to say hello, and the gorgeous winter interest we're always so fortunate to enjoy this time of year. 

Parking: Street Parking (Residential Neighborhood)

Transit: 10-15 minute walk from the 51-51A RTA bus route bus stop nearby on Pearl Road. Bus route planning can be done via Google Maps or the Transit App. 

Accessibility: No Restrooms and Sadly Cannot Accommodate Wheelchairs or Crutches. Do feel free to bring a hiking stick; Boots preferred! 

Day-of Contact: The event will be led by WOGC's Cuyahoga County Regional Planner, Diab Dar-Issa (216) 800-3541. Feel free to text or call the day of event to ensure you can locate the group in the event you're lost. 

RSVP REQURED THROUGH EVENTBRITE. A TEXT/CALL WILL NOT SUFFICE AS AN RSVP. 

We invite you to our Wild Ones Greater Cleveland monthly chapter meeting!

Host: Jessica Ausnehmer
Topic: Stories of the Northeast Ohio Native Habitat Corridor (Discussion)
Date/Time: Tuesday 1/20/26 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

What is your native plant story?
Every native plant story starts somewhere — a seed packet, a question, a neighbor, a small moment that stayed with you. Maybe it was as a child, planting a tiny seed and feeling that quiet thrill of possibility. This is the heart of our 2026 theme, Once Upon a Native Plant Seed — a year to share our stories and inspire the next generation to write their own.  

In this meeting we will talk about some of our hopes and dreams for 2026 and share stories about how our journey began.

Agenda
- Intro
- Discussion: What is your native plant story?
- 2026 Goals
- Announcements
- Upcoming events and activities
- Discussion: What are your 2026 hopes and dreams?

Bio: Jessica Ausnehmer is the President and a Board Director for Wild Ones Greater Cleveland. She was the founding President of the chapter and helped launch it in late 2022. Under her leadership, the chapter became the second fastest-growing and one of the most active in the United States by its second year. Jessica also came up with the idea for the Northeast Ohio Native Habitat Corridor — inspired by similar projects and initiatives — and is currently developing a new initiative called Seeds for the Future. She’s collaborated on native plant educational events, activities, and projects throughout Northeast Ohio, including partnerships with local schools like Berea-Midpark High School and the installation of a 3,000-square-foot native wetland garden at Impett Park in collaboration with the Friends of Impett Park.

In this special collaboration, Robin Wall Kimmerer, author, botanist, and founder of Plant Baby Plant, joins youth leader and Nurture Natives founder Esther Bonney for an intergenerational conversation about belonging, reciprocity, and native plant action. 

Together, they will explore questions such as:

How do we create opportunities for young people to have a voice and feel empowered, even when they are not homeowners or decision makers?What kinds of relationships and mentorships help people stay engaged in native plant work over decades?Why do stories, shared practices, and community invitations matter just as much as plant lists?

Robin and Esther will reflect on what invites people into this work, what keeps them here, and what elders and youth have to teach each other.

Wild Ones Greater Cleveland is teaming up with the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center to offer this cost-effective, low-maintenance way to add native plants to your landscape!

Winter sowing is an outdoor seed-starting technique that requires just two things: miniature greenhouses and Mother Nature. Join us for this informative workshop to learn more about winter sowing, and create your own mini-greenhouse of native plants to take home.  Please try to bring 1 clear, clean gallon milk jug.  All other supplies will be provided. 

Registration Required 

Wild Ones Greater Cleveland is teaming up with Portage Park District to offer this cost-effective, low-maintenance way to add native plants to your landscape!

Winter sowing is an outdoor seed-starting technique that requires just two things: miniature greenhouses and Mother Nature. Join us for this informative workshop to learn more about winter sowing, and create your own mini-greenhouse of native plants to take home.  Please bring 1 clear, clean gallon milk jug.  All other supplies will be provided.  

Registration Required

Wild Ones Greater Cleveland is teaming up with Blue Jay Retail and Deep Roots Living Soil to offer this cost-effective, low-maintenance way to add native plants to your landscape!

Winter sowing is an outdoor seed-starting technique that requires just two things: miniature greenhouses and Mother Nature. Join us for this informative workshop to learn more about winter sowing, Deep Roots Living Soil, and create your own mini-greenhouse of native plants to take home. Please try to bring 1 clear, clean gallon milk jug or similar. All other supplies will be provided.

Blue Jay Retail is located at 3228 Lorain Ave and shares space with Evangeline & Co. Feel free to shop after the workshop and take home some unique home and garden gifts from Blue Jay Retail or a floral arrangement from Evangeline & Co.

Registration Required

Blue Jay Retail: bluejayretail.com

Deep Roots Living Soil: https://www.growdeeproots.com/ 

Join Wild Ones Greater Cleveland and West Creek Conservancy for a hands-on workshop about the power of native plants and how small changes in your yard can make a big impact on biodiversity and watershed health. This interactive event includes:

A quick introduction to why native plants matter in Northeastern Ohio. Practical tips to shrink your lawn and create pollinator-friendly spaces. Step-by-step guidance on seed stratification and winter sowing using milk jugs.

After learning the basics, you’ll roll up your sleeves and prepare your own winter sowing containers to take home—giving you a head start on a beautiful, eco-friendly garden this spring.

Format: In-person workshop with live demonstrations and hands-on activities

What to Bring: A clean, transparent gallon-sized milk jug (we’ll provide all other supplies and have a limited number of extra jugs available)

We’ll have seeds available for:

--Joe Pye Weed

--Boneset

--New England Aster

--Tall Blazing Star

Feel free to bring your own seeds as well! Additional native plant seeds will also be available starting January 19th at the seed library locations found in the READ MORE link.

Leave with your own winter sowing project and practical strategies to create pollinator-friendly spaces in your yard!

Wild Ones of Greater Cleveland is teaming up with Lorain County Conservation District to offer this cost-effective, low-maintenance way to add native plants to your landscape!

Winter sowing is an outdoor seed-starting technique that requires just two things: miniature greenhouses and Mother Nature. Join us for this informative workshop to learn more about winter sowing, and create your own mini-greenhouse of native plants to take home. Please bring 1 (or 2) clear, clean gallon milk jug(s). All other supplies will be provided. We'll be in the Lorain County Ag Center's Conference Room.

What you'll learn:

--How to turn recycled gallon jugs into mini greenhouses

--Winter sowing as a low cost seed starting technique

--Why cold stratification makes your seeds stronger

--Choosing the correct seeds

Registration Required

We invite you to our Wild Ones Greater Cleveland monthly chapter meeting!

Our February Chapter Meeting educational topic will be "Introduction to iNaturalist, a community science app"

Learn how to use iNaturalist to submit observations, connect with a community, and contribute to science and conservation.

As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited to do more hands-on community science and make it easier for members to get involved. Our February meeting is part of that, featuring an introduction to iNaturalist and Ray Stewart stepping into an expanded role as Community Science Chair and iNaturalist Ambassador.

Our host and education presenter will be Ray Stewart (Community Science Chair, Lorain County Community Regional Coordinator, and WOGC Board Director) 

Ray's bio:

Ray Stewart is a retired public school science teacher from Amherst in Lorain County, Ohio. Before teaching, he worked in the ‘Green Industry’ in garden centers, nurseries and as a landscape manager. He is the founder and past president of Ohio Wetlands Association (OWA). He now serves as the OWA Wetland Ambassador. Recently the iNaturalist web app has designated Ray as an iNaturalist Ambassador. Ray founded a non-profit landscape design and consultation firm, Webbedfoot Designs, Inc., that turns its proceeds toward public pollinator gardens. His role here is Lead Designer. He also runs a small native plant nursery out of his home. He is a trained Botanist, Certified Master Rain Gardener, and a Certified Pollinator Steward.

Ray is currently serving as the Lorain County Regional Coordinator for Greater Cleveland Wild Ones. He is a frequent speaker at community organizations and other public outreach events.
 

Our upcoming webinar with Basil Camu explores practical, evidence based ways to heal suburban and urban landscapes by working with trees, soil, and natural systems, drawing on real world practices from Leaf & Limb and community centered models for restoring life where we live, work, and play.!  

Please join Wild Ones Greater Cleveland for donuts, coffee and seed packing on February 21st, 2026!

Dozens of species of native perennials have already been harvested and cleaned, awaiting the final packaging for distribution to an increasing number of people eager to landscape with Ohio's own rich flora.

We will fill seed envelopes and label the envelopes while enjoying the companionship of like-minded people. *BONUS* You will leave with sample packets of seeds and a good feeling about your contribution to making native seeds accessible for many individuals across Northeast Ohio!

Coffee, Tea and George’s donuts will be available to all participants! 

We invite you to our Wild Ones Greater Cleveland monthly chapter meeting!

Host: TBD
Topic: TBD with TBD
Date/Time: TBD 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

TBD

Agenda
- TBD

Join Joey Santore, creator of Crime Pays But Botany Doesn’t, for a candid Wild Ones National Webinar examining how inherited garden aesthetics shape native plant landscapes. Drawing on field experience and real ecology, Joey challenges tidy design norms and explores why dense, irregular plant communities are often the most resilient and ecologically sound.

Join us for our 2nd annual Wild Ones Greater Cleveland Drink and Design!

Collaborate with your fellow Wild Ones and native plant professionals to design your spring garden!

What to expect...

--A brief overview of basic garden design concepts.

--Access to reference materials, plant lists and example native garden plans.

--Opportunities to collaborate with fellow Wild Ones to design your own native garden.

--Native plant professionals will be available to answer questions.Drinks and food will be available for purchase.

What to bring...

--An aerial image of the space you are designing. 

  A satellite view printed from a mapping program works great. 

  A hand-drawn outline to scale also works well.

--Information about how much sun the space gets daily (all day sun. half a day shade, never any sun, etc).

--Information about how dry the soil is (well drained, standing water seasonally, standing water all of the time, etc)

--Information about what kind of materials make up the soil (clay, sand, organic materials, etc.) 

--Any potential issues the site might have (under a black walnut, under a pine tree, heavy clay soil, etc)

Plant ID Slow Hike

Spring Ephemeral Edition

Join us for a leisurely stroll with Wild Ones Greater Cleveland and Portage Park District as we explore the trails and identify spring wildflowers together. No need to rush; we'll be taking our time to appreciate the beauty around us and identify the flowers we encounter along the way.

Make sure to wear comfortable shoes or boots suitable for walking on trails, rain or shine. Don't forget to bring water and sunscreen if needed. This hike won't be too strenuous; we'll be stopping frequently to admire flowers and practice identification.

We invite you to our Wild Ones Greater Cleveland monthly chapter meeting!

Host: TBD
Topic: TBD with TBD
Date/Time: TBD 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

TBD

Agenda
- TBD

Wild Ones Greater Cleveland’s Ring in Spring series presents:

Plant ID Slow Hike

Spring Ephemeral Edition

Join us for a leisurely stroll with Wild Ones Greater Cleveland and Summit Metro Parks as we explore the trails and identify spring wildflowers together. No need to rush; we'll be taking our time to appreciate the beauty around us and identify the flowers we encounter along the way.

Make sure to wear comfortable shoes or boots suitable for walking on trails, rain or shine. Don't forget to bring water and sunscreen if needed. This hike won't be too strenuous; we'll be stopping frequently to admire flowers and practice identification.

Please join Wild Ones Greater Cleveland and the City of City of Cuyahoga Falls for a garden maintenance day at the Rain Garden Reserve in Cuyahoga Falls!

The Rain Garden Reserve is a 24,000 square foot rain garden that was installed by the City of Cuyahoga Falls after several major floods impacted the area. The Garden was created in conjunction with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA).

The primary activity will be weeding, but there might also be other light garden chores such as seed collection. All tools will be provided, but bringing a small hand trowel will be useful. Please bring gloves, sun protection and water. Light refreshments will be provided.

The Garden is located between 6th and 7th at 2858 6th St, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221. Please park at the Lion’s Park Lodge on 641 Silver Lake Avenue. See map

We invite you to our Wild Ones Greater Cleveland monthly chapter meeting!

Host: TBD
Topic: TBD with TBD
Date/Time: TBD 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

TBD

Agenda
- TBD

We invite you to our Wild Ones Greater Cleveland monthly chapter meeting!

Host: TBD
Topic: TBD with TBD
Date/Time: TBD 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

TBD

Agenda
- TBD

We invite you to our Wild Ones Greater Cleveland monthly chapter meeting!

Host: TBD
Topic: TBD with TBD
Date/Time: TBD 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

TBD

Agenda
- TBD

We invite you to our Wild Ones Greater Cleveland monthly chapter meeting!

Host: TBD
Topic: TBD with TBD
Date/Time: TBD 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

TBD

Agenda
- TBD

We invite you to our Wild Ones Greater Cleveland monthly chapter meeting!

Host: TBD
Topic: TBD with TBD
Date/Time: TBD 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

TBD

Agenda
- TBD

Details coming soon! 

We invite you to our Wild Ones Greater Cleveland monthly chapter meeting!

Host: TBD
Topic: TBD with TBD
Date/Time: TBD 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

TBD

Agenda
- TBD

Details coming soon! 

We invite you to our Wild Ones Greater Cleveland monthly chapter meeting!

Host: TBD
Topic: TBD with TBD
Date/Time: TBD 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

TBD

Agenda
- TBD

Details coming soon! 

We invite you to our Wild Ones Greater Cleveland monthly chapter meeting!

Host: TBD
Topic: TBD with TBD
Date/Time: TBD 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

TBD

Agenda
- TBD