Events

We need VOLUNTEERS to perform cleanup and preparation tasks at Old City Gardens in downtown, where we'll be growing plants for donation to other non-profits and for our 2026 Native Plant Sale! We will be cutting, clearing and composting tall invasive plants. We'll also be collecting used plant pots smaller than 1 gallon (the smaller the better.) Bring your extra pots, gloves, clippers, hand trimmers, loppers, and if you have a cordless drill and hardware for making pot corrals out of pallets, please bring them, too. 

Please feel free to drop in whenever you are available during the timeframe, for as long as little as you're able. 

Register Here: https://smokymountains.wildones.org/january-2026-volunteer-work-day-at-old-city-gardens/

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.

Invasive plants pose a serious threat to areas throughout Tennessee, but where do you begin to address the problem if they're not easily recognizable? Join us for an engaging walk at Ijams Nature Center where you'll learn to identify some of our area's most harmful exotic plant species and see firsthand how they spread and displace our native species. Whether you're a landowner or an individual looking to improve your community, this is your opportunity to get practical insight in understanding the critical need to remove these plants and protect the natural balance of our ecosystems. 

In addition to this invasive plant identification walk, we will also be taking time to stop by the Visitor Center to view a local artist (and Wild Ones member)'s installation! Come see hand-painted creations by MaceyLou Art, who also creates native plant-focused content on YouTube on her channel A Wild Approach.

Before beginning our walk, we will first meet by the pond in front of the Visitor Center. We expect parking to be limited, so in an effort of being respectful of Ijams Nature Center, attendance is limited to 25 people. Parking at Ijams is $5 daily. Register now and secure your spot!

Please Register Here: https://smokymountains.wildones.org/a-day-at-ijams-plant-id-walk-and-art-viewing-january-24-2026-at-1pm/

Wild Ones Members will entertain you with their "Wish I'd Known That!" stories of starting out gardening with native plants. Learn from our mistakes! Ask your questions, you'll get lots of excellent answers. We will get started on the easy path to native garden success. Members, come ready to share photos and stories of your mistakes and successes!

A  Zoom link will be emailed to you upon registration.

Please Register Here: https://smokymountains.wildones.org/january-28-2026-seminar-wish-id-known-that-learn-from-our-mistakes-qa-registration/

We are looking for volunteers to help staff our table at the Community Organization Fair during the Dogwood Arts House & Garden Show, held February 6–8, 2026 at the Knoxville Convention Center.

This is a high-traffic event, with more than 5,000 attendees over three days, and a great opportunity for us to share our mission, connect with the community, and recruit new supporters.

Event details

Friday, February 6: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday, February 7: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Sunday, February 8: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Our setup includes a 6-foot table and two chairs. We plan to have at least two volunteers at the table at all times and to work in shifts, so volunteers can explore the House & Garden Show before or after their shift.

Volunteer perks

Free admission to the show (normally $10). We currently have 6 free tickets available and will request additional tickets if we have more than six volunteers.

Flexible scheduling—sign up for one or more shifts.

A chance to engage with the public, support local ecology and gardening efforts, and represent our organization at a major community event.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please fill out the registration form with:

Which day(s) you’re available

Your preferred time window(s)

More information about the show is available here:

https://www.dogwoodarts.com/houseandgardenshow

Thank you for considering helping out—we truly appreciate your support and hope you can join us!

If you wish to volunteer, please REGISTER HERE: https://smokymountains.wildones.org/february-6-8-2026-dogwood-arts-house-and-garden-show-volunteer-registration/

Details coming soon!  

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon!