Chapter Events

SAVE THE DATE:

Ben Goldberg is the composting guru - from vermicomposting to composting toilets, he is passionate about it all!

Through a combination of slides and show & tell, Ben will guide us through the process of starting and caring for vermicomposting (AKA - worm bins)

$10 Wild Ones Members, $15 Wild Ones Non-Members

Attendees will receive a booklet authored by Ben, “Vermicomposting” in addition, each attendee will be entered to win 5 gallons of Ben's Vermicomposting starter material.

Bio: Ben Goldberg has been fascinated with bugs and worms since he was a kid. He’s been composting with worms and building worm bins since 1995. He offers worm composting workshops that are engaging, informative, and fun. Ben lives in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts, along with some of the best soil in the world, where he works with water conservation and food nutrient recovery systems. He welcomes your comments and questions.    

Please join us for our annual native seed swap.  Swapping native seeds with fellow gardeners is a great opportunity to expand the diversity in your garden.  Bring your labeled native seeds to share (our January 2026 meeting will be our winter seed sowing workshop).  Beverages & some light snacks will be provided - feel free to bring a snack to share!  ALSO consider bringing a garden related item you no longer use/need/want (tool, ornament, chachkies etc)  We will be doing a “white elephant” raffle of these items as door prizes.  Reduce-Repurpose-Reuse-Recycle!

Bring some native seeds (seed exchange/sharing is happening at our December Meeting) and a milk jug or 2.  We will supply soil, pots, trays etc.  If you have extra feel free to bring some too.  If you bring soil make sure it is not advertised as moisture retaining.  Great way to start Native Plants for planting in 2026!

FREE for Chapter Members

$10 for nonmembers 

In the words of E. O. Wilson, insects are “the little things that run the world.”
It’s true: protecting insect life protects all life.
Insects fulfill vital roles for keeping our planet functioning, such as pollinating our flowers, serving as food sources for birds, decomposing wastes, and cycling nutrients.

By growing native plants, we can protect insects. Plants provide the foundation for insect life. This extends beyond pollinations services. Virtually all terrestrial and freshwater aquatic plants are fed on by insects.
Join this program!
We will review science-based information to provide actionable tools you can rely on. Want to support nature? 
With the right knowledge and tools, we can build a healthier planet.
*The intimate connection between plants and insects
*Potential causes for insect declines
*Planting recommendations
*Gardening tips

Bio:
Blake Dinius B.S. in Biology from University of Massachusetts – Boston, 7 years experience in insect research, 7 years experience as the entomologist educator for Plymouth county extension, lifetime lover of insects, spiders, centipedes and all things entomology-related.