Events Calendar

Starting Native Seeds

Native Trees for Southeastern PA with Marc Radell

Living Landscape Function Calculator with Christopher Sohnly

Rain Barrels with Beth Myers of the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy

The relationship between plants and animals that visit the flowers to get nectar and pollen is a complicated one. Like most ecological relationships the two parties each have their own goals. Plants want their pollen moved around and animals want nectar and/or pollen for food. The tension between these two goals has driven a wide array of adaptations in flowers and in animal anatomy and behavior. Join Mike Slater for a fascinating look into insect adaptations for a pollination lifestyle. Part One will explore insect-plant/flower interactions in general, including some less obvious consequences of the flower-visiting behavior on different parts of natural ecosystems.

The relationship between plants and animals that visit the flowers to get nectar and pollen is a complicated one. Like most ecological relationships the two parties each have their own goals. Plants want their pollen moved around and animals want nectar and/or pollen for food. The tension between these two goals has driven a wide array of adaptations in flowers and in animal anatomy and behavior. Join Mike Slater for a fascinating exploration into some special insect-plant relationships,  including native orchids, milkweeds, hummingbird pollinated plants, and Pennsylvania’s state flower, mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia).

Native Edibles & Companion Planting with Ben Kessler

No More Fall Cleanup! Join us for a brief slide presentation about traditional fall yard cleanup practices and recommendations for more insect-friendly alternatives. After the presentation, please join the on-line open-forum discussion of your own experiences and suggestions for native-friendly fall yard practices.

Our next chapter meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, October 11th, will feature a presentation on Seed Collection by Mark Gormel. We will also be presenting our nomination slate for Chapter Board and Officer elections.  If you are interested in taking on a more active role with the chapter, please reach out so we can get you on the slate! 

Join Wild Ones Honorary Director Heather Holm as she explores the nesting habitats, life cycles, pollen collection, brood rearing, and general characteristics of some of the most common native bees in eastern North America, while highlighting the pollination of native plants and the mutualism between native plants and native bees.

When creating and managing thriving habitats for native bees, many factors such as seasonal phenology, nesting strategies, and flower preferences must be considered—and with approximately 3,600 species in North America (north of Mexico), there are many unique aspects to keep in mind when managing successful landscapes for bees. 

Join us for an enlightening webinar featuring authors, Neil Diboll and Hilary Cox, as they present their latest book, "The Gardener’s Guide to Prairie Plants." This comprehensive compendium is a treasure trove of knowledge for gardeners looking to incorporate native prairie plants into their landscapes. Neil and Hilary will delve into the making and application of this essential guide, sharing rich historical and ecological insights about prairie ecosystems, all while showcasing stunning images of prairie flora. 

We will have a brief 15-20 minute meeting to vote on chapter Board members and Officers for 2024.  If you are a WO SEPA Chapter member, you can cast your vote during the meeting, or email your vote prior to that day (members were sent a separate email with instructions for voting via email).  After the vote, we will be switching over to a webinar being presented at 7:00 by Wild Ones National with authors Neil Diboll and Hillary Cox, who will present a program focusing on their latest book, “The Gardener’s Guide to Prairie Plants.” 

Please register separately for that webinar here: https://wildones.org/webinar