From Accent’s Its the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day:
“Before 1970, pollution was rampant. Air pollution was widespread, toxic fumes billowed from factories and automobiles, and enormous fish die-offs occurred in the Great Lakes.” (Nature Scoop) After World War II, people began using more chemically produced pesticides and fertilizers. This came at a cost to the environment and posed great danger to the health of both animals and humans. This is a story about conservationists – especially CNRA and Lorrie Otto.
We should be proud of the fact that we started the natural-landscaping movement. It only took about thirty years for NWF and TNC to catch on, and then everyone caught on. We have been listed through EPA right from the beginning.
Wild Ones Natural Landscaping Ltd
Wild Ones Garden Club
Ever the conservationist, Lorrie Otto set about healing the Earth by presenting workshops on native plants and natural landscaping all around the country. After listening to Lorrie’s workshops held at the Schlitz Audubon Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a group of men and women began meeting informally to discuss native plants, natural landscaping, and biodiversity. They called themselves the Wild Ones. As knowledge of the group spread, others joined not only from the Milwaukee area, but throughout Wisconsin and adjoining states, leading to the eventual creation of the national environmental education and advocacy organization called Wild Ones Natural Landscapers Ltd in 1979.
Wild Ones Natural Landscapers, a national not-for-profit organization formed with the mission of educating and sharing information with members and community at the “plants-roots” level along with promoting biodiversity and environmentally sound practices. Their enthusiasm blossomed into the Wild Ones, with a diverse membership interested in natural landscaping using native species in developing plant communities.
In the early 2000s, the Wild Ones board purchased a building set on 16 acres in a preserve on the shore of beautiful Little Lake Butte des Morts where they developed a unique eco center and a new headquarters for the organization. Even though the WILD Center was an impressive setting for Wild Ones activities and demonstrations, the board is now considering putting the property up for sale.
How Wild Ones took root and grew
Gini Lindow, The Outside Story, (January – February 1993, page 13)
We are no common “garden variety” garden club, but a society for encouraging natural yards. A sensitivity to land use in harmony with plants and animals is a high priority. Our resident expert, Lorrie Otto, educates us about natural landscaping philosophy. She organizes yard tours to help us visualize our natural gardens. In spring and summer we are out on yard tours, woods excursions, and digs that are on private property by owners’ invitation. Late summer is the best time to view prairie restorations and make note of where we want to return for seed gathering in October. Occasionally, our meetings are “on-the-spot” visits for constructive assistance. July and August natural yard tours are popular.
Where do we get our plants? There are many reputable native-plant and seed companies that have taken “root” in the last few years. Several plant experts have made presentations and brought along plants for sale at our meetings. We also have members’ plant and seed exchanges. “Bulldozer alerts” bring out the shovel crew. Knowing that an area is going to be totally devastated is alarming news, so we go out to save as many species as we can by transplanting them to another natural habitat.
Winter programs include experts in prairie restoration, woodland plants, and how-to sessions. Meetings at SANC are very well attended. We have sponsored workshops with Milwaukee Audubon Society that are planned around our needs. The format usually includes slide lectures, special interest sessions, and panel discussions. For example, since many members live in areas of compacted clay soil, a slide lecture on creating a well-drained natural area was of high interest. Other topics have included: rainwater management and plantings for low spots; care of prairie plantings; soil preparation; native woodland plants; weed ordinances; natural methods of disease and pest control.”
WisDOT Turns to Native Plants
After all the highways that we salvaged plants from as chapters, the WisDOT turns to native plants, page 36-37. This particular magazine covers trees, invasive plants and management, wetlands, grasslands, etc.
Pollinator Protection: A Choose Your Own Conservation Adventure
Read Wings – Essay on Invertebrate Conservation, Fall 2024, page 12-16.
Grow the Right Plants for birds
Cornell Labs has the right way the grow plants with “Grow the Right Plants for Birds” by Living Bird magazine, page 24-27.
So sad to hear they may be selling the property and building of Wild Ones at Neenah where i go my inspiration to start my Native garden. I can’t thank you enough. Donna when you were there is was a magical place and i will never forget that. I don’t know if there is anything i can do to keep this place going? I am willing to volunteer if that is what’s needed.
There is a meeting to discuss and draft a WILD Center Steering Committee document as a proposal to the national Wild Ones organization is set for Monday, March 24 at 4:30-6:30 pm at the Neenah Public Library Room 201. Or if that isn’t possible, contact Kathleen Hallett at kmahallett@gmail.com she will provide the zoom meeting information and answer any questions you may have.