The Twin Cities chapter of the Wild Ones is a "hands-on" group and focuses on how to create a landscape with native plantings for gardeners at any skill level. Our gardens range in size from small areas of native plants in our yards up to full-blown prairies.

The national Wild Ones group was formed in 1979, and the Twin Cities chapter held their first meeting in 2001. The local chapter provides a venue for educating members and sharing information about using plants adapted to our own soils and climate, rather than struggling to maintain exotic and sometimes invasive plantings. Become a member of Wild Ones and explore how to grow your own natural garden or yard full of native American plant species that provide wildlife habitat and a multitude of other benefits. We encourage visitors to join us one of our open-to-the-public events and hear firsthand about our group.

We currently have over 300 individual, household, and business memberships. See the membership page for more information about the benefits joining The Wild Ones.

Events we sponsor include:

• Monthly meetings with presentations by experts in native plants. Most meetings are open to the public.
• An annual Native Plant and Landscaping Expo in early spring, with vendor displays, talks, and seminars.
• Tours of members' yards.
• Guided field trips through natural areas.
• "How-to" sessions and hands-on practice maintaining native plantings.
• Plant and seed sales and exchanges.
• Plant rescues.

For details about our upcoming monthly meetings and special events, scroll down this page for our upcoming calendar or go to the Newsletters page and view our latest issue (pdf).

2010 Board Members

***ELECTED OFFICERS***
Co-Presidents:
- Marty Rice, 952-927-6531,
- Marilyn Jones, 612-724-8084,
Secretary: Kris Martinka
Treasurer: Brent Holm

***CHAIR POSITIONS***
Hospitality: Rose Meyer
Membership: Marty Rice
Merchandise: Trudi Poquette
Newsletter: Mary Schommer
Project Coordinator: Vicki Bonk
Outreach: Kris Martinka
Photographer/Historian: John Arthur
Programs: John Arthur and Laurie Stone Goldsmith
Publicity: Julia Vanatta, 612-382-2800,
Spring Expo: Karen Graham and Roger Miller
Tours: Carmen Simonet
Website: Jim Sipe, 507-263-5369

Terms end on December 31st. We line up our leadership and committees for the coming year in November. Open positions can be filled anytime. Do consider sharing your interest by getting involved in one of these capacities. Help support the healthy continuation and growth of our chapter. Duties are flexible--if you think you can help in any way contact one of the people listed above. There is a strong core of former officers still very much involved in the group who will be happy to help anyone new coming on board. Meetings are held quarterly; they often involve food and always involve laughter.