Wild Ones teaches people about the importance of native plants, for the health of the environment and everything living in it. Our goal is to get more native plants in the ground in all landscapes — homes, businesses, schools, and more. Our chapter’s membership primarily comes from St. Paul and surrounding communities in Minnesota.
Chapter Meetings and Featured Programs
Chapter meetings are free and open to the public. Featured programs may have a registration fee.
Metro Blooms: A Community Resource Autumn Grove Park 02/19/2026 at 6:45 pm – 8:30 pm
Best Practices for Pollinators 2026 02/24/2026 – 02/26/2026 at 10:00 am – 2:15 pm
Spring Ephemerals Autumn Grove Park 03/19/2026 at 6:45 pm – 8:30 pm
With an Eye on Native Species: A sampling of Minnesota Trees and Shrubs Autumn Grove Park 04/16/2026 at 6:45 pm – 8:30 pm
Rain Gardens Autumn Grove Park 05/21/2026 at 6:45 pm – 8:30 pm
News
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Local Research into Microplastics and Roadside Pollinator Habitats
Read more: Local Research into Microplastics and Roadside Pollinator HabitatsRoadside plantings have been considered an opportunity to reduce habitat loss. Emilie Snell-Rood, professor of ecology, evolution, and behavior at the UMN, has studied the risks of roadside pollutants for the last decade.
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New Officers & Directors
Read more: New Officers & DirectorsWe are pleased to announce the results of the recent Big River Big Woods election: President: Kendra Sommerfeld, Secretary: Robin Manthei, Treasurer: Steve Fester, Director: Cyndi Vehe, Director: Erica Tenbroek, Director: John Kramer, Director: Liz Wendland, Director: Troy Thielen, Director: Joe Crowe.
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Volunteers Needed to Remove Invasive Species
Read more: Volunteers Needed to Remove Invasive SpeciesVolunteers are needed to remove buckthorn and burdock. Date: Sunday, October 5th Where: Hand-in-Hand Montessori School in Roseville211 N McCarrons Blvd, Roseville, MN 55113 (meet in parking lot)Time: 9:30 – 11:30 am MORNINGWear: Long sleeves, pants, good shoes or boots, glovesBring: Water, Loppers, Hand Saw, Chainsaw if you have one Date: Sunday, October 12th Where: Hand-in-Hand Montessori School in Roseville211 N McCarrons…
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Be an EcoSteward with the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom
Read more: Be an EcoSteward with the Como Woodland Outdoor ClassroomThe Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom needs people to volunteer to be EcoStewards. ECOSTEWARDS are individuals and small groups who are dedicated to preserving, protecting and restoring natural areas and vital ecosystems. They adopt a parcel of land in the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom in Como Regional Park. CWOC provides the training in March or April…
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2025 CRWD Partner Grants
Read more: 2025 CRWD Partner GrantsCapitol Region Watershed District’s 2025 Partner Grants application is now open. The online application link is accessible on our Partner Grant page of our website. The deadline to submit is 4:00 PM, February 25. Please see the attached letter for full program details including program changes from previous grant cycles. Partner Grants fund programs and…
Events
Metro Blooms: A Community Resource Autumn Grove Park 02/19/2026, 6:45 pm – 8:30 pm
Best Practices for Pollinators 2026 02/24/2026 – 02/26/2026, 10:00 am – 2:15 pm
Spring Ephemerals Autumn Grove Park 03/19/2026, 6:45 pm – 8:30 pm
With an Eye on Native Species: A sampling of Minnesota Trees and Shrubs Autumn Grove Park 04/16/2026, 6:45 pm – 8:30 pm
More events ….
Volunteer
Big River Big Woods sponsors a number of service projects. We invite anyone who is interested in helping restore native landscapes to donate time to one or more of these projects. If you would like to volunteer, send a note to contact@bigriverbigwoods.org and we will get back to you with the most up to date details.
Also, we encourage you to take a look at out our Volunteer Questionnaire and check off the opportunities that interest you. Someone from the board will follow up with you.
Active service projects:
Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom
Villa Park
Island Lake Pollinator Garden
Media Corner
Recordings of Presentations Given at Chapter Meetings
Other Media