About

Our Mission

Wild Ones’ mission is to promote environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration, and establishment of native plant communities.

Central Wisconsin Chapter

The Central Wisconsin Chapter of Wild Ones includes Portage, Marathon, Waupaca, Waushara, and Wood counties.

2026 Officers:

  • President: Elizabeth Whelan     
  • Vice president: Shelley Jansky    
  • Treasurer: Kate Gottwald 
  • Secretary: Stephanie Lange     
  • Membership Chair: Gina DeLisle 
  • Plant Sale chair: Amanda Barth 
  • Co-Social media chairs: Asa Plonsky, Kate Gottwald
  • Greenhouse Chair: John Hardy
  • Co-Plant Rescue Coordinators: Sally Powell, Pete Arntsen
  • Website Coordinator: Jenna Tuma
  • Newsletter Coordinator: Jenna Tuma
  • Education Chair: Jill Ziehr 
  • Hospitality Coordinator Chair 1: Sally Powell
  • Hospitality Coordinator Chair 2: Pete Arntsen
  • Hospitality Coordinator Chair 3: Nancy Ross 
  • Hospitality Coordinator Chair 4: John Hardy
  • Librarian: Pete Arnsten
  • Chair general: Bonnie Grubba

What Exactly Do We Do?

Our chapter holds monthly member meetings from March to November where we usually have an event planned such as a garden tour, presentation, or we meet to discuss all things native plants! We also hold garden work days periodically, depending on what gardens are needing attention. Along with caring for and upkeeping our current gardens, we also meet to implement and establish new gardens around the Stevens Point area. The season usually comes to a close with our annual seed swap held in November. See the “Member Meetings” and “Events” tabs to keep up with what we’re doing! We also have a Facebook page and we post upcoming events on there as well. We hope to see you soon!

​Not a member but are curious about joining Wild Ones? Feel free to stop in during one of our member meetings to get a feel for what we do and what we are about. View our upcoming meetings under the “Member Meetings” tab.

Photos Reference: Various Wild Ones Central Wisconsin events throughout the 2025 season

Did you know that our Central Wisconsin Chapter has its own Facebook page? Click here to follow along!