Events

Ask the Experts: A Native Plant Q&A with Leading Experts

This Zoom Only seminar brings together local experts to answer your questions about all things native plants. Whether you're curious about creating a bird-friendly yard, supporting pollinators and wildlife, managing invasive species, improving your soil, or choosing the right native plants for your landscape, this event is your chance to learn from the pros.

Learn why understanding the importance of native habitats is key to sustaining ecosystems and how you can make a difference in your own community.

Discover how native plants can:
Attract and support birds, pollinators, and wildlife
Reduce yard maintenance and conserve water
Help restore biodiversity and healthy habitats
Improve soil health and resilience

Meet the panel:

Dr. Andrea Ludwig, director of TN Smart Yards and Biosystem Engineer & Soil Sciences Professor at the University of Tennessee

Dr. Amanda Benoit, Ecology and Evolution Teaching Professor at the University of Tennessee & Co-Founder of Appalachian Flora

Jimmy Groton, Wetland Ecologist/Environmental Scientist, Tennessee Invasives Council Speaker, and Invasives Expert

Jimmy Tucker, Past President of TN Ornithological Society, certified TN Master Naturalist, and Bird Expert - JTucker Photography

A knowledgeable tree expert

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting your journey with native plants, this interactive Q&A will inspire and empower you to make your yard a haven for nature.

To register for this event, and submit a question, click here:  https://smokymountains.wildones.org/381-2/

This event will be via Zoom.

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.

Experience the Beauty of Tennessee’s Native Trees This Winter

Join us for a captivating winter walk at the UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge, where the native trees of Tennessee take center stage. Guided by Don Williams of Tennessee Naturescapes and Kevin Hoyt, Executive Director of the UT Arboretum and Forestry Research Station, this event promises an engaging exploration of nature’s quiet season.

Discover the art of winter tree identification as we observe the subtle features of trees just before they burst into new growth in spring. This leisurely walk covers a short distance and will last approximately 1.5 hours, offering plenty of time to soak in the surroundings and learn.

The UT Arboretum, a project of the University of Tennessee Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center, is a hidden gem of Oak Ridge. Spanning 250 acres, this research and education facility is home to over 2,500 native and exotic woody plant specimens and welcomes more than 30,000 visitors annually.

Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or simply curious about Tennessee’s native landscapes, this is an opportunity to connect with nature in a unique and enriching way. Don’t miss it!

Register Here:  https://smokymountains.wildones.org/register-for-event/

Please be sure to dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes and clothing. The Smoky Mountains Chapter will provide drinks and light refreshments. 

Light Refreshments will be provided to those attending in person! This event will be in-person AND simulcast live via Zoom. Register below for the Zoom link information and for driving directions.

Register for this event here. 

They creep, they crawl, and their lives are surrounded by mystery and lore... No, this isn’t the tagline for the next scary movie! Insects and other invertebrates are the unsung heroes that sustain life as we know it.

Join entomologist Will Kuhn for this fun and fascinating event, where you’ll uncover the vital roles of native bugs and learn about the challenges posed by invasive species. You’ll also have the chance to examine real bug specimens up close—sure to spark your curiosity and appreciation for the tiny creatures that make our world thrive!

About Dr. Will Kuhn:

Dr. Will Kuhn is an entomologist living in Knoxville. He serves as the Director of Science and Research at Discover Life in America, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit aiming to discover and understand every species living in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and to educate the public about the importance of biodiversity in our lives.

Although native to the coastal plains of East Texas, Will has lived near the Appalachian Mountains of the Eastern US for more than 15 years, earning his master’s in entomology at Virginia Tech and his PhD in evolutionary biology at Rutgers University in New Jersey. He's become obsessed with cataloging and identifying insects, plants, and other life that inhabit his small Knoxville neighborhood and has documented nearly 1,500 species there using the iNaturalist community science app. Around 2019, he began establishing native plants in his yard and has been delighted to see how much this relatively simple effort has enhanced his local biodiversity and enriched his own life.

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.

Register here for this seminar. ​ ​This event will be in-person and simulcast live via Zoom. Refreshments will be provided to those attending in-person! 

They say 'Know thine enemy' - and this could not be more true if you want to defeat Bermuda grass! Wild Ones Board Member Regina Santore will share methods for eradicating Bermuda grass in your yard, based on the season.

Adam Datillo of the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation will present on a new, devastating threat to our local area - invasive Cogongrass. You will learn how to spot Cogongrass and eradicate it before it can take hold in our area.

This could very possibly be the most useful seminar you will ever attend!  Learn the secrets of these tenacious grasses and how to prepare your yard so your beneficial native plants will thrive!

From the Desk of Adam Datillo: 

Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) is one of the worst weeds in the world. Until recently, this invasive plant species native to Asia has been restricted to the deep south where it is well established and wreaks havoc on natural ecosystems, wildlife, forestry, and agriculture. In the last few years, cogongrass has been documented at multiple sites in Tennessee. Join us for an in-depth and fun journey where we’ll learn what’s at risk, how to identify cogongrass, to whom to report a possible infestation, and how we’re going to work collectively to stop this species before it becomes well established here in Tennessee.

Adam Dattilo is a professional botanist and ecologist with over 20 years’ experience working to better understand and protect the flora of the Southeastern United States.  Currently he serves as the vegetation ecologist within the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, where he works to protect biodiversity across Tennessee by documenting natural plant communities, facilitating applied research, and working with partners to move the needle on conservation. He lives in Knoxville Tennessee with his wife Clare, daughters Annabel and Fern, and two dogs Willow and Nikki.  He loves to garden (both vegetables and native plants!), stay in shape, and get together with friends.  Maybe one day he’ll be better at playing guitar and speaking Spanish.

This is a Member's Only Event and is limited to 12 people.  Register for this event here. 

Join us for a 2 hour walk with Mark Seder and learn about the native spring ephemerals and the fascinating history of the Townsend River Walk.

On this tour, you will learn the history of the Townsend River Walk & Arboretum, discuss how invasives are being managed, and learn about ongoing efforts and future plans for this special place. Along the way, enjoy the seasonal beauty of native spring ephemerals in bloom.

The Townsend River Walk & Arboretum is where nature invites you to slow down and explore. This gem mirrors the rich plant life of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in an accessible setting, offering views of the Little River along the way.

TRWA is maintained and managed by an incredible all volunteer team.  Mark Seder has been involved with the TRWA since 2016 and in 2019 took responsibility for the coordination and planning.  They now have created a 501c(3) non-profit organization “Project TRWA” whose mission is to  support the development, preservation, and maintenance of the Townsend River Walk & Arboretum for current and future generations of local citizens and visitors, by building a community of donors, volunteers, and advocates.

Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Wild Ones will provide water and light refreshments. 

Join us for a dynamic discussion with Melissa Hinten, Executive Director of Trees Knoxville, as she explores the ecological connections between trees, prairies, and native landscapes.

 Drawing from her research on tallgrass prairies in Oklahoma and her current work in Knoxville, Melissa will provide an overview of native prairies in Tennessee and then will lead a discussion on the connections between trees, prairies, and other native landscapes.

With a background in sustainability, ecology, and land use change, Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge to this conversation on preserving and restoring native habitats. Whether you're passionate about trees, prairies, or the broader landscape of Tennessee, this talk will offer valuable insights into the role of native ecosystems in supporting biodiversity.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an expert dedicated to protecting and expanding our natural spaces!

About Melissa

Melissa Hinten serves as the Executive Director of Trees Knoxville, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and expanding the urban tree canopy in Knoxville and Knox County. With a deep commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, Melissa joined Trees Knoxville in 2024 to further its mission of fostering greener, healthier communities.

Before her role at Trees Knoxville, Melissa was the Sustainability Program Director and a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Geography & Sustainability at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Over her tenure, she taught courses spanning human-environment interactions, weather and climate, ecology, and sustainability.

Melissa holds a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Oklahoma, where her research focused on land use change in the tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Her academic background and professional experience reflect a lifelong dedication to understanding and protecting the natural world.

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