Events

Meet at the Hiker's Trailhead. Come learn about the plants of Monte Sano with us.

Email [email protected] to register, or register on facebook.

Rain date: 7/15/2025 at 8:30 AM

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 3.4 miles

WONA members: free

Kids 12 and under: free

Guests/non-members: $5

NOTE: Standard park entry rates for Monte Sano SP apply.

Susan McDonald has spent her entire life gardening in USDA Hardiness Zone 7, the last 20 years in Huntsville.  For the last 12 years she has volunteered weekly in the Fern Glade of the Huntsville Botanical Garden and has served as the manager of the Fern Glade since 2018.  The Glade covers almost an acre.  It has over 80 different species of ferns growing within its borders, including about ten native Alabama ferns. She will talk about important characteristics of ferns, how to grow them in North Alabama, and which native ferns do well in home gardens.

This will be a tour of the Fern Glade with Susan McDonald at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens. Normal admission prices will be in effect. Please RSVP if you'd like to join.

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/ 

Join WONA for our monthly social hike and learn about plant identification.

Email [email protected] to register, or register on facebook.

Difficulty: Easy

Distance 2.5 miles

Rain date: 8/18/2025 @ 8:30 AM

WONA members: free

Kids 12 and under: free

non-members: $5

NOTE: Alisha will join us virtually for this event, so you are welcome to join from the comfort of your home or join us at the South Huntsville Public Library for a speaker watch party.

Alisha grew up exploring the forests of Northeast Ohio, developing a deep love for the outdoors, wild edibles, and gardening. Seeking a milder climate, she moved south, where her passion for nature continued to flourish. In 2017, she earned her Master Gardener certification, further fueling her interest in foraging. After discovering the Alabama Mushroom Society, she immersed herself in fungi identification, continually expanding her expertise in Alabama’s diverse mushroom species.

Dedicated to education and conservation, Alisha strives to inspire curiosity about fungi while promoting responsible stewardship of our wild spaces. She served two terms as President of the Alabama Mushroom Society and continues to lead as Chair of its Collection Committee. She also sits on the Executive Board of the North American Mycological Association as a Trustee at Large, contributes to NAMA’s Vouchering and Nominating Committees, coordinates the Southeast Rare Fungi Challenge with the Fungal Diversity Survey, and serves as the Assistant Curator of Fungi for the University of West Alabama Herbarium

Join WONA for our monthly member/social hike.

Email [email protected] to register, or register on facebook.

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 2.5 miles

Rain date: 9/15/2025 @ 9 AM

WONA members: free

Kids 12 and under: free

non-members: $5

Details coming soon! 

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge annually hosts thousands of overwintering sandhill cranes, ducks, geese, pelicans and other waterfowl. It also hosts an increasing number of majestic and endangered Whooping cranes. The 34,500 acres of varied habitat on the refuge—wetlands, open water, mixed forests, sloughs and agricultural fields provide a home to almost 300 species of birds, plus mammals and reptiles including bobcats, otters, deer, coyotes and, yes, alligators! The refuge was established in 1938 and the ensuing decades have seen a change in the wildlife that are present on the refuge. Come hear about this natural wonder and learn about the birds and other wildlife that inhabit the refuge's 34,500 acres, and how those inhabitants have changed over the years. This presentation will be delivered by Tom Ress.

Denise planned and designed her suburban garden to be a pollinator habitat and to attract hummingbirds and birds.  She lives in a newer subdivision with an HOA and moved into her new house in 2020. The flower beds were installed in the spring of 2020. The entire front yard is a native perennial flower bed with pathways through the garden.  The backyard slopes down to a pond and has a 1,000 sq ft native perennial flower bed in the middle of the yard. The backyard also includes flower beds planted with native trees and shrubs and a bubbling rock water feature.  

This is a WildOnes member-only event. You must be a current member (individual, business or household) to tour the property. Tours are one of the perks of a WildOnes membership. This tour will be held in both the Spring and Fall to demonstrate how native gardens change across time. Denise's address will be sent to registered member participants in advance of the tour.

Join WONA for our monthly member hike to socialize and learn to identify plants.

Email [email protected] to register, or register on facebook.

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 3 miles

Rain date: 10/13/2025 @ 9 AM

WONA members: free

Kids 12 and under: free

non-members: $5

Details coming soon! 

Join WONA for our monthly social hike and learn to identify plants with other nature enthusiasts.

Email [email protected] to register, or register on facebook.

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 2.5 miles

Rain date: 11/11/2025 @ 2PM

WONA members: free

Kids 12 and under: free

non-members: $5

Details coming soon! 

Join WONA for our monthly member hike and learn to identify plants.

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 2.3 miles

Members: free

Kids 12 and under: free

non-members: $5