Wild Ones Fox Valley Area Chapter is celebrating its 24th Toward Harmony with Nature all-day conference on natural landscapes, native plants and biodiversity this January 25, 2020. Re-establishing A Mutually Nourishing Relationship Between People And Nature will focus on ecological awareness, and provide insight in helping us actively participate in restoring the health of our lands and how it benefits ourselves and others. What our speakers have to say should be of interest to anyone (homeowners, gardeners, landscapers, teachers, ecologists, municipal leaders, wildlife enthusiasts, nursery owners, etc).

Want to learn more about native landscaping and the positive effect it has on our ecosystems and our general health? Join us in learning from our speakers how we can apply their lessons toward creating a healthy habitat in our gardens and our own yards.

24th Toward Harmony with Nature Conference

Re-establishing A Mutually Nourishing Relationship Between People And Nature   

This year's conference is being held at the Oshkosh Convention Center, 2 North Main Street on Saturday, January 25, 2020.

Registration 8:00-8:45AM     Speakers 8:45AM-4:15PM     Lunch 11:45AM-1:15PM

Morning Keynote  9:00-10:00AM

"Re-establishing A Mutually Nourishing Relationship Between People And Nature" by Stephen Packard, who is the epitome of volunteerism among native plants activists. His presentation will draw upon his many years of experience as a leader of volunteers in using garden-grown and wild-collected seeds to restore high-quality prairies, savannas, woodlands and wetlands.

Packard’s work as a volunteer led to careers as Director of Science and Stewardship with the Illinois Nature Conservancy and a teaching position at Northwestern University. The North Branch Restoration Project, which he initiated, is a world model of volunteer ecological stewardship. His extensive experience in restoring prairies and oak woodlands has been featured in many books, most notably in Miracle Under the Oaks .

Morning Speakers - Concurrent Session I (10:30-11:45AM):

1. “Stories from the Understory”
   Tim and Linda Eisele, freelance outdoor writer; after-school consultant

2. “Rain Gardens: The Next Generation”
   Frank Hassler, President, Good Oak Ecological Services

3. “Monarch Citizen Science: Your Native Plant Garden as a Living Laboratory”   
   Karen Oberhauser, Director, UW-Madison Arboretum

Afternoon Speakers - Concurrent Session II (1:15-2:30PM):

1. “Climate Change and its Impacts on Wisconsin Native Plants”
   Dan Dieterich, Wisconsin Co-Coordinator for Citizens' Climate Lobby

2. “How a Small Volunteer Effort Became the Largest Driftless Area Habitat Restoration in the History of Dane County Parks”
   Gary Nelson, President, Friends of Festge Park, Festge County Park and Salma Pond County Park, Cross Plains, Wisconsin

3. “The Right Essentials for a Wildflower Planting”
   Randy Powers, Prairie Future Seed Company

Afternoon Speakers - Concurrent Session III  (3:00-4:15PM): 

1. “Weeds and Invasive Plants in our Landscape”
   Frank Hassler, President, Good Oak Ecological Services

2. “Native Plants for Every Yard -- Natives, Nativars and Other Plants that Attract Pollinators”
   Mark A Konlock, Director of Horticulture, Green Bay Botanical Garden

3. “Why Eating Native Plants is Good for You and for the Environment”
   Matthew Normansell, foraging expert

•  Details for Speaker List: http://www.towardharmonywithnature.org/speakers.html

•  Exhibitors and Vendors

•  Silent Auction 

•  Conference website: http://www.towardharmonywithnature.org

Mailed pre-registration must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, January 15, 2020.

On-line pre-registration for lunch with the conference ends at midnight, Tuesday, January 21, 2020.

On-line preregistration for just the conference ends at midnight, Wednesday, January 22, 2020.

On-site registration day of the event is available:  $40 member, $45 non-member, $20 student

Teachers bringing five or more students receive a free registration.  Contact wildonesfoxvalley@gmail.com for more information or call Conference Registrar at 920-730-8436.

Lodging Accommodations

A limited number of rooms are available for $89.99 double occupancy at the Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel adjoining the Convention Center. To make reservations call 855-230-1900. Be sure to mention the Wild Ones conference to get the special rate.