Chapter Calendar

We will work with winter sowing techniques utilizing milk jugs.  The chapter is providing prepped jugs with potting soil.  Participants will sow native seed from our seed swap stash, and label and tape jugs to take home.  Committee members will give a step by step demonstration on how to prepare jugs for winter sowing native plants.  Hand outs and tips and tricks will be given to help members successfully winter sow native plant seeds.  It's the best way to provide cold moist stratification for native seeds and get lots of free seedlings for your garden and to share with others!  Bring a friend,  a neighbor,  or a coworker and get them involved in native plant gardening!  

Preserving and restoring the natural nighttime environment is more urgent then ever.  Light pollution is the human made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally.  When we over light, fail to use timers and sensors, or use the wrong color of light, we negatively impact many parts of our world.  Light pollution destroys critical wildlife habitat, wastes energy and money, harms human health, decreases safety and security, robs us of our night sky heritage, and inhibits scientific research.  The stars are disappearing but light pollution is reversible!!  Join us to explore this fascinating subject!!

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.

https://go.illinois.edu/NurserySchool2025

Lessons in Gardening-Keynote Speakers with breakout sessions on many gardening topics.

Register by Monday, February 16

Dick Potter and Jon Peters

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.

If you are affiliated with the new St. Joan of Arc School in Bettendorf - Paul Crosser will present on native plants and landscaping at the new school on Thursday, April 10 at 7 PM.  The meeting will be held at St. John Vianney in Bettendorf - 4097 18th Street.  Hope you can make it.

Mark your calendars for Plants, Paths & Pizza 2025! 

Join us April 11 at Hauberg Estate for a  Keynote Speaker &  Panel discussion, breakout sessions, garden tour, vendors, therapy dogs, and of course- pizza! Our keynote speaker will be Pauline Drobney. We look forward to seeing you there!

Some fun new learning opportunities added for 2025! Bring a friend. It is FREE!

Join us to learn about the connection between wellness and nature, network with local green organizations, and visit with others that love nature! 

The event flyer can be viewed on our blog or on our Facebook event. Links below:

https://quadcities.wildones.org/plants-paths-pizza-2025/

https://www.facebook.com/events/2312593555779752

Our monthly program for April will be a special tour of the spring ephemerals at Fairmount Cemetery in Davenport!

Join Carolina as she leads us on a walking tour of the cemetery, which is actually a prairie remnant! For those who do not wish to walk the terrain, you will be able to drive through and view many species. Following the walking or driving tour, we will meet back together for a discussion on what we found and what will be blooming soon.

Read more about the prairie remnant here: 

https://sites.google.com/view/midwestwildernessconnection/home/natural-areas/iowa-natural-areas/fairmount-cemetery-prairie-remnant?authuser=0

Presentation on Wild Ones and pollinators by Ken W.

Come join Ken as he shows you how beautiful a native garden can be!

Earth Day Spring Plant Sale.

Join Wild Ones member Ken W. as he discusses the beauty and benefits of native gardens.

Social Event

Now that our milk jugs are full of tiny seedlings what do we do next.  Care and transplanting hands on demonstration.  Tips for getting plants in the ground.

Seedling exchange.

Hauberg Estates Native Plant Sale.   Guardians of the Prairie and Forest and Wild Ones Quad Cities Chapter join together to help Hauberg Estates bring a spring native plant sale to the Quad Cities area.

Join Wild Ones National Board President Loris Damerow for a special presentation as part of Week 3 of the 2025 Less Lawn More Life Challenge, “Native Plants Planted Right.” Loris will walk us through the basics of native plant gardening- from choosing the right plants to planting and maintaining them with confidence.

Join us on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 5 p.m. CT for the YouTube Live premiere of this 30-minute webinar. Native plant experts from  Wild Ones, Plan it Wild, Homegrown National Park, ReWild Your Campus, and others will be active in the live chat throughout the presentation and for 30 minutes after the webinar, giving you plenty of time to ask questions and engage! 

This event is designed for newcomers to native gardening and is part of the national Less Lawn More Life Challenge, hosted by Plan It Wild in collaboration with Wild Ones, iNaturalist, Homegrown National Park, Pollinator Partnership  and many others! 

See more about the Less Lawn More Life Challenge:  https://www.lesslawnmorelife.com/ 

Intro to Wild Ones and native plants

Social Event

Native Planting Day 

At Hauberg Estate! If you are interested in helping to plant native plants on May 31st between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm at Hauberg Estate, please use the link below to volunteer. 

Happy Planting!

Use the link below to sign up as a volunteer that day  

https://volunteer.bloomerang.co/JE/qqf1ekp1orahwt

Discussion on summer pollinators and potential seed to collect

June 27th 2 pm to June  28th, 2025 

FREE EVENT! 

Final Friday will be volunteering and hanging out! Many of us who attend the Monthly Wild Ones Final Friday at Hauberg Carriage House will be volunteering. We can meet up for a chat!

Backyard BioBlitz has a lot going on for us big kids, too! 

See you all there Friday, June 27th

Visit a 3 year old native prairie hillside planting at a personal residence. Please RSVP to webmasterqcwildones@gmail.com for the exact address. In case of rain, the postponed date would be July 15. 

The closing event of this year’s Less Lawn More Life Challenge, will be led by Lisa Olsen, Chapter Liaison at Wild Ones. In this webinar, you’ll learn how small, personal actions like planting native species and removing invasives, can ripple outward to inspire neighbors, change policies, and reshape communities. 

During the premiere, native plant experts from Wild Ones and collaborating organizations will be active in the live chat. They’ll be ready to answer questions, share tips, and connect viewers with resources. The live chat will remain open for 30 minutes after the webinar, giving you plenty of time to ask questions and engage. Please note: You must be logged into a YouTube account to participate in the chat. 

The Less Lawn More Life Challenge is a free, 12-week action series designed to help people transform traditional lawns into vibrant, life-supporting native plant habitat. Each week, participants complete a simple challenge like planting a native shrub, removing invasives, or observing pollinators to reimagine their outdoor space and take meaningful steps toward restoring biodiversity at home. 

It’s not too late to get involved. Catch up on the weekly videos and start your rewilding journey today at https://www.lesslawnmorelife.com/ 

Social Event

All about Monarchs

Social Event

Join Judy and learn about using native plants in a floral arrangement.

Details coming soon! 

Social Event

Details coming soon! 

Social Event

Fun event!!

Details coming soon!