Events

Last year Wild Ones Smoky Mountains Chapter (WOSMC) held a 10-year visioning for the future of East Tennessee ecosystems. We had over 45 attendees representing a wide swath of ecosystems-oriented interest groups, government agencies, academia, ecosystem-related business professionals, high school teachers, students, nonprofits and interested members of the public, between the live meeting and the online participants. The vision that was created was beautiful (it's attached here so you can glance through it if you have a moment; we think you'll agree it is a worthy goal!)

We feel strongly that the only way for that vision to become reality is for all of us to come together - to gather - every year, to commune with others with ecosystem interests that intersect with our own, and to share our achievements and our setbacks, as we revisit the vision.  We'll think about what needs to be added to the vision, and where it makes sense to focus our efforts collectively, in synergy, so we move toward the vision becoming reality as fast as we can.

We intend to hold this event - we are calling it The Gather - every year, in Spring, because that is the moment of endless possibilities, of optimism, and also the time when, looking around at East Tennessee's landscapes, it becomes all too clear that a redoubling of our efforts are sorely needed. We hope The Gather will be motivational, inspiring, and invigorating to all involved.

Relationships could not be more important to the vision, and we hope you will make it a priority to join in this gathering of like-minded, ecosystems-focused people. The in-person event will be a great opportunity to truly get to know the other local leaders and influencers in the ecosystems realm, and to develop exciting ideas and projects.

We realize the importance of including our allies throughout greater East Tennessee, who may not be able to travel all the way to Knoxville but wish to be actively involved, so we will have an online option as well. If you would like to participate using this method, respond to this email indicating this, and we will add you to the online-only contact list. We'll send you the link closer to the event date.

When: Wednesday, March 27, 2024 (two weeks from now)
Time:  6:30 to 8:30pm (typically people continue to socialize for some time after this)
Where: Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum
Address: 2649 Boyds Bridge Pike in Knoxville

Light refreshments will be provided.

Your presence would mean a great deal to a great many people, who truly look forward to seeing you there and moving the vision forward alongside you. The courtesy of a reply would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for everything you have done - and are doing - for East Tennessee ecosystems. We look forward to gathering with you soon.

Sincerely,
The Board of Directors for Wild Ones Smoky Mountains Chapter
 - Steacy Sadler Lucchesi, President
 - Andrea Sabala, Vice President
 - Regina Santore, Secretary
 - Marti Agler, Treasurer
 - Emma Oxford, Social Media Chair
 - Lynda Parker, Newsletter Chair

ZOOM INFO:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://wildones-org.zoom.us/j/84776816589?pwd=ak9LbWU0eXVEcU1PTi9NSTVMd1g1QT09

Meeting ID: 847 7681 6589
Passcode: F?0hP6