Wild Center

“If we care about the Earth we could heal it by removing lawns, by finding alternatives to lawns. You can do wonderful things on your own property to protect the environment. Each little island, each corridor will help bring back the butterflies and birds.” 

~Lorrie Otto

In 1977, in Milwaukee, nine people interested in learning about landscaping with native plants attended a natural-landscaping workshop led by Lorrie Otto. These nine people founded Wild Ones Natural Landscapers. For purposes of more clearly aligning the name with the organization's mission, the organization is now referred to as Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes, but the legal name remains Wild Ones Natural Landscapers Ltd.   of the Wild Ones Institute of Learning and Development (WILD Center).  In 2008, Wild Ones purchased16 acres of upland, riparian woodland and marsh, along with a building to serve as the national headquarters in Neenah, Wisconsin.

Wild Center Headquarters - Neenah, WI

Wild Center

Wild Ones Mission mission:

Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes promotes environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities. Wild Ones is a not-for-profit environmental education and advocacy organization.