Founding chapter president Janine Kharey featured in national Wild Ones journal The Greater Baton Rouge chapter of Wild Ones was founded in 2022 thanks to the motivation and leadership of Janine Kharey. Why did she do that, do you ask? The national Wild Ones journal interviewed Janine and answers that… and more! Continue reading "Educating others through images that shift perception"
Despite heavy showers off and on all day at the Feliciana Wildflower Festival on June 6, Wild Ones GBR volunteers Allison Gianelloni, Ky Burke, and Joan Chiasson spoke to a fairly steady stream of visitors. There were families, couples, and individuals interested in native plants, and our graphics display by Janine Kharey on pollinators and their host plants. […] Continue reading "Showers & Flowers: Feliciana Wildflower Festival"
Our members are creative and passionate about their native gardens, and this spring we attended three yards that focus on completely unique goals: Feeding winter hummingbirds, beekeeping, and a new native plant nursery. Everyone learned about the plants, the wildlife they support, artistry, and the trials and tribulations of these ventures. Continue reading "Inspiration: Spring Yard Visits"
Happy Mardi Gras! The Mardi Gras season is in full swing in the Baton Rouge region, with lots of parades and parties. The Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater Baton Rouge entered a walking krewe for the first time in the Mid City Gras parade. The annual event is a small, family-friendly parade in the Mid […] Continue reading "Neighborly Nature at Mardi Gras"
The tree planting season in Baton Rouge is in January so trees will have time to get established before the summer heat. This is why Arbor Day is so early here! Wild Ones volunteers got bundled up and headed out to the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens for the 15th annual Arbor Day event. Hundreds of […] Continue reading "Baton Rouge Arbor Day Celebration 2026: A Wild Success"
Heather Blanchard presenting plans for the Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site. Wild Ones Greater Baton Rouge Membership Chair, Heather Blanchard, is passionate about the Plaquemine community and is actively involved in the project that is aiming to restore the Plaquemine Lock site and beautify and increase the biodiversity of the grounds. Plaquemine is located just […] Continue reading "“Locking in” Native Plant Landscaping for a State Historic Site Renovation Project"
Wild Ones Greater Baton Rouge Members are actively adding native plants to their landscapes to share and enjoy the beauty of our native flora, preserve local ecotypes, benefit pollinators and wildlife, and protect the ecological value of their land. The Louisiana Certified Habitat program by the Louisiana Native Plant Society (LNPS) “recognizes the efforts of […] Continue reading "Leading by Example: Members Certifying Native Landscapes Across the Greater Baton Rouge Area"
Congratulations to our Wild Ones Greater Baton Rouge members who were among the first in the state to complete the Louisiana Native Professional Certification Program! Six members are now certified: Over the two day workshop, the attendees learned to design and maintain landscapes with native plants through presentations, planning exercises, field trips and plant identification […] Continue reading "Wild Ones Members Receive Native Plant Professional Certification"
Are you looking to add low-maintenance native plants with lots of texture and seasonal color to your landscape? Then native prairie grasses are an excellent option! Clumping prairie grasses are the landscape architect’s secret to a great design by providing structure, texture, and drama. Did you know? Prairie grasses have roots so incredibly deep, they […] Continue reading "Great Native Grasses"
The Plaquemine Garden Club (PGC) was interested in learning about native plants, and Heather Blanchard invited her native plant-loving friends to speak at the PGC meeting, with whom she collaborated on presentation content for a memorable and informative meeting on November 11, 2025 at the Plaquemine KC building. As the Wild Ones Greater Baton Rouge […] Continue reading "Plaquemine Garden Club Explores Gardening with Native Plants"