Go native
Wild Ones is an organization promoting the establishment and restoration of native plant communities which are a definitive component of a healthy environment. Our local Oak Openings Region Chapter consists of passionate folks who endeavor to preserve the Oak Openings ecosystem and educate the public on the advantages of growing native plants in their landscapes. This group is well known for rescuing native plants from construction sites, eradicating non-native, invasive plant species as well as fostering and creating monarch butterfly way stations. Their incredible, dedicated efforts in hand-collecting seeds from native plants is a much-lauded labor of love as they sort, propagate and then give many of the resulting seeds and plants away. For volunteer activities visit wildones.org/chapter/toledo.
Garden grows
Toledo Grows raises crops in a cool, city-centric way on its farmstead at the Robert Anderson Urban Agriculture Center. Home to chickens, rain gardens, greenhouses, native plantings, bee hives and vegetable gardens, Toledo Grows provides classrooms for Owens Community College’s Urban Ag Program and hosts youth job coaching in partnership with the Lucas County Juvenile Court System. The hip staff also ventures around town to show groups how to start and maintain community gardens. The non-profit, funded by grants and donations, is helping to put the unity back into urban life as gardens enable neighbors to forge friendships, offers green spaces and provides fresh, free nutritious vegetables. Toledo Grows hosts a yearly seed swap and also grows vegetable plants for planting in qualifying community gardens. To donate, volunteer at Oneida (900 Oneida St.) or to find more info on community gardens and tours, visit toledogarden.org or call 419-720-8714.
Wild things
People bring over 1,800 sick, injured and orphaned types of wildlife yearly to the staff and volunteers at Nature’s Nursery Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation Education. These dedicated, compassionate people do everything they can to care for and rehabilitate the injured creatures. This non-profit relies on membership and donations to carry out its vital mission as well as to provide nature education programs/presentations and volunteer opportunities to children, adults and groups. Visit Nature’s Nursery during their summer open houses, the second Sunday of the month, May through September, 1pm – 5 pm; for more info, visit natures-nursery.org or call 419-877-0060 .
