The Mountain Laurel Chapter of Wild Ones, sponsored by Connecticut College Arboretum, meets the first Saturday of the month at 10:00 am at the Olin Science Center, Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut. Business meetings are held in the Olin Lounge from 10:00-10:45,followed by an educational program at 11:00. Visitors are welcome!
(If you enter the College campus from Route 32, Olin Science Center is the first building on your right.)

Occasionally the date or location of our meeting is changed. Please check our program calendar (below) for the latest information.

Directions:
From the South: Take Rt. 95 North to Exit 83. Take a left at the end of the ramp onto Williams Street. The first traffic light turn right onto Route 32 North. At the second traffic light turn left into the main entrance of the college. Go up the hill to the campus safety booth. At the Booth, turn right. The first building on the right is the Olin Science Center. Enter through the double doors and go straight ahead to the lounge area, where meetings are held.

From the North: Take I-95 South, take first exit after Goldstar Bridge and proceed onto Route 32 North. At the second traffic light turn left into the main entrance of the college. Go up the hill to the campus safety booth. At the Booth, turn right. The first building on the right is the Olin Science Center. Enter through the double doors and go straight ahead to the lounge area, where meetings are held.

For photos and more information about our chapter's activities, visit us on Facebook at Mountain Laurel Chapter on Facebook.

    Feb 02, 2013 (Sat)    

Wildflower Germination: A Hands-on Primer
Arborist and Native Plant specialist Charles Boos will conduct a workshop on "Wildflower Germination; A Hands-on Primer". Charles has been leading the effort on transforming lands owned by Groton Open Space Association filled with invasives to ones containing a wide variety of native wildflowers and shrubs.

This program will take place at Connecticut College and begins about 10:45 AM following our monthly business meeting

    Mar 02, 2013 (Sat)    

Master Gardener Pam Wright will speak on "Certified Community Wildlife Habitats".
She and her team did the work which led to Willimantic's official certification through the official National Wildlife Federation of America program. She will describe how the process worked and how it can be used in other communities.
Link to web page: http://www.theportraitofatown.com/pam-wright-keeping-willi-wild/

This program will take place at Connecticut College Olin Science Center at 11 AM, following our business meeting (10-10:45). Visitors are welcome!

    Apr 06, 2013 (Sat)    

Hope Leeson on "Rhody Native"
Hope Leeson, organizer of Rhody Native and botanist for Rhode Island Natural History Survey will speak on the work Rhody Native is doing with growing locally native plants and getting them into Rhode Island nurseries.
Link to web page: http://rinhs.org/who-we-are-what-we-do/programs-projects/rhodynative/

This program will take place at Connecticut College Olin Science Center at 11 AM, following our business meeting (10-10:45). Visitors are welcome!

    May 04, 2013 (Sat)    

Guided tour of Earth Tones Native Nursery in Woodbury, Connecticut.
Earth Tones, LLC is a native plant nursery that specializes in grasses, ferns, perennials, shrubs and trees that are native to New England. Many plants are displayed in natural settings. The owners, Lisa and Kyle Turoczi, will talk about growing the plants, designing with natives in gardens and harsh settings, and maintenance of native plant gardens.
Link to web page: http://www.earthtonesnatives.com/

Note Location: This program will begin at the nursery at 11 a.m. (driving time from New London 1.5-2 hrs). Email Allen Gauthier at landscape653@gmail.com if you would like to carpool from the New London area. Non-members are welcome to join us for this program.

    Jun 01, 2013 (Sat)    

Working field trip to the New London County Extension Center in Norwich, CT
A guided tour of plantings (rain garden, butterfly garden, and living willow structures) and a natural area will be followed by a work party to help remove invasive plants in the natural area. This is an opportunity to build up some sweat equity for natives!

Note Location: We will meet in Norwich. Directions to the meeting place will be provided soon. Email Allen Gauthier at landscape653@gmail.com if you would like to carpool from the New London area.

    Sep 07, 2013 (Sat)    

Member's Garden
It is always a pleasure to visit a member's garden that, like all gardens, is a work in progress. This month Janis Solomon opens her garden to visitors. Janis has undertaken a fairly large restoration project, including reintroduction of a variety of native shrubs. Complete details to come

    Oct 05, 2013 (Sat)    

Rain Gardens
Mike Dietz is scheduled to speak about Rain Gardens! Details to come

    Dec 07, 2013 (Sat)    

Annual Potluck
December is the month for our annual member potluck. Enjoy the warmth of friends, "wild" conversation, and culinary delights. Details to come

Visit us on Facebook at Mountain Laurel Chapter on Facebook.