Native plants take center stage at Toward Harmony with Nature conference in late January
The conference's sponsor is Wild Ones, a not-for-profit national organization that promotes native landscapes through education, advocacy, and collaborative action.
January, with snow on the ground, is the ideal time to dream and plan for spring flowers, native grasses, and landscaping designs. Get inspired early by attending the 29th annual Toward Harmony With Nature (THWN) conference, sponsored by Wild Ones Fox Valley Area (WOFVA).
The daylong event will take place on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 8 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. at the UW-Oshkosh Culver Family Welcome Center. More than 200 nature lovers are expected to attend, from first-time attendees to regulars seeking to learn more.
The day will feature a wide range of natural landscaping and native plant topics, with many exhibitors, vendors, speakers, and engaging discussions. There are sessions for people of all interests and knowledge levels.
“The conference is all about native plants, educating people on how to get native plants into their yards, and also creating a space where people can come to learn and discuss with industry experts,” says Stephanie Losse, WOFVA Vice President. “So mainly we try to create a space where the community can come together to learn about native plants and branch out to see what they don’t know, and what they want to learn more about.”
Keynote speaker Neil Diboll, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, has dedicated his life to promoting native plants, highlighting their benefits, and advancing their use in gardens, landscapes, and restoration projects. “We, as stewards of the planet, must work to preserve and increase the diversity of native plants and animals, with which we share our world,” he says.
A trending topic today is “Rights of Nature,” which will be addressed by Anahkwet (Guy Reiter), a traditional Menominee who resides on the Menominee Reservation. The presentation will highlight how Native nations are recognizing legal rights for ecosystems, including lakes, rivers, forests, and soil. Those efforts are reshaping environmental law and protecting sacred lands for future generations. The City of Green Bay is considering a “Rights of Nature” resolution.
The conference's sponsor is Wild Ones Fox Valley Area, a branch of Wild Ones, a not-for-profit national organization with chapters all across the country that promotes native landscapes through education, advocacy, and collaborative action. Their core belief is that a healthy planet starts with native plants.
Wild Ones Fox Valley Area began in 1994. It is a grassroots movement whose mission is to “promote environmentally sound landscaping practices to increase biodiversity through the preservation, restoration, and establishment of native plants.” WOFVA serves Calumet, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Outagamie, Waushara, Waupaca, and Winnebago counties.
Ecology classes are offered year-round at various locations, with some available in a virtual format. Classes focus on how native vegetation improves water quality, soil fertility, and carbon storage. And how native vegetation provides essential habitat necessary to restore biodiversity and beauty in nature.
The Wisconsin Native Plant Certification Program is designed to take at least two years to complete. Classes offer a blend of classroom and virtual instruction, hands-on learning, and field study. This 50-hour program is designed to benefit home gardeners, landscapers, teachers, and other professionals.
“(Native plants) are like the foundation of everything else,” Losse explains. “They are the lowest in the food chain. The insects use their specific host plants. We need insects for pollination. Then you have the birds that eat the insects. Native plants are like the ecological base. It’s the piece that kind of connects everything.”
When Losse first attended the Toward Harmony With Nature Conference six years ago, she was hooked. She is now an active volunteer and vice president, and is involved in organizing the conference.
The conference brochure and online registration information are available on the Wild Ones website. There will also be a silent auction.
Native plants take center stage at Toward Harmony with Nature conference in late January © 2026 by Carol Lenz is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
