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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Wild Ones SOKY Chapter began in March 2020 and serves Southern Kentucky and Northern Tennessee. According to Katie Marquardt, the chapter’s president, Bowling Green is at the heart of her service area. Its goal is to \u201cconnect people and native plants for a healthy planet,\u201d and they work to accomplish this through education, advocacy, and collaborative action, such as their connection with the Warren County Public Library. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur chapter is a community of knowledgeable and passionate people with a shared vision \u2014 native plants and natural landscapes thriving in our yards, gardens, community spaces, and wild areas,\u201d said Marquardt. \u201cWe learn and grow together, sharing experiences and resources to create a movement of local gardeners growing healthier landscapes. We are dedicated to making an impact in our region with community gardens, habitat restoration projects, engaging the community with meetings and events, and hosting educational opportunities for youth.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Members of the chapter frequently host events at the River Birch Room at Lost River Cave, which include exciting lectures on biodiversity and updates on the meadow restoration at the Lost River Cave. The chapter also co-organized the annual four-day global bioblitz in April in their City Nature Challenge for Bowling Green and South Central Kentucky. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saturday, May 11, Wild Ones SOKY will host its annual Spring Native Plant Sale at the community farmers market. Locals will have the chance to purchase affordable native plants provided by members. All proceeds benefit the chapter and fund its ongoing efforts within the community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMany locals have already realized we\u2019ve lost too many acres of diverse habitats in South Central Kentucky. It\u2019s negatively impacting our insects, birds, and other wildlife. The good news is, everyone has the opportunity to embrace native planting practices, create spaces that welcome and sustain wildlife, and contribute to a healthy ecosystem,\u201d said Marquardt. \u201cPersonally, I love working outdoors as a way of staying active. It\u2019s beneficial for my physical and mental well-being. It helps me feel connected to my land and the wildlife it supports. Simply seeing and spending time around trees and plants makes me feel happy, but making an effort to help them grow makes it even better!\u201d GN <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ALL FIVE Warren County Public Library locations offer more than endless rows of books. The libraries give patrons access to computers and the internet, printers, copiers, notaries, book clubs, free and low-cost events, engaging activities for all ages, as well as access to genealogy records, music CDs, audiobooks, streaming movies through Hoopla and Kanopy, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":21786,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21784","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n