Our Chapter’s History

Wild Ones Ann Arbor Area began as a newly forming seedling chapter in 1995, in the garage of the founder Robert (Bob) Grese. This small Michigan gathering became one of the first Wild Ones chapters in the entire country.  2026 marks our 30th anniversary as a full-fledged chapter, connecting people with native plants for a healthy planet.

Establishing Our Chapter: The Bob Grese Years

In 1995, Robert E. (Bob) Grese formed the Ann Arbor Wild Ones Chapter—now Wild Ones Ann Arbor Area Chapter —together with local native plant pioneers David Borneman, Mary Huggins, Aunita Erskine, and Karen Marzonie. Bob held a deep and wide understanding of the importance of landscapes—their function, beauty, and transformative effects. With a Master of Landscape Architecture degree, Bob was a member of the faculty at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), and he served for many years as the Director of Nichols Arboretum and Matthaei Botanical Gardens. The “Bot Gardens” has been the physical home of the Ann Arbor Area Chapter for 30 years, generously sharing its greenhouses, meeting rooms, and other resources with us.

For 25 years under Bob’s leadership, the heart and spirit of our chapter were monthly gatherings, for talks, field trips, and programs, offered to our members and the public, exploring the biology, ecology, and beauty of natural landscapes and native plants. We learned about the positive effect of nature on human welfare. Current research, the history of landscapes, and emerging challenges from invasive species and human development—these and other topics fed our appreciation and desire to learn more. In addition, the Ann Arbor Area chapter became a participant in the statewide environmental listserv hosted by the Great Lakes Consortium, which allows members to engage in and learn from well-informed conversations on a wide variety of environmental topics.

New Leadership, New Challenges

In due course, it was time for Bob to seek out new leadership for our chapter. This coincided with the onset of the COVID pandemic and a change of leadership at Wild Ones National. Into this difficult environment, Microstegium vimineum—stiltgrass—appeared in our area with a vengeance. Long-time members Andrea Matthies and Jim O’Dell stepped up to lead and educate us all, focusing on solutions to the problems of invasive species and burgeoning deer populations, working with the local Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMA) program. 

Entering the Current Era with an Expanded Name

In 2021, National Board Director Loris Damerow moved from Wisconsin to Ann Arbor, eager to meet other native plant enthusiasts and to strengthen Ann Arbor’s ties to the rapidly expanding national organization. Bob Hauser, from Livonia, stepped in to become our Membership Chair and website developer. The newly energized chapter aligned focus, commitment, and mission. Membership increased, and we strengthened partnerships with like-minded groups in Washtenaw County and statewide. With monthly gatherings, held indoors and out, we committed to new projects in collaboration with community partners. We have added member-to-member yard tours, field trips, and advocacy initiatives. Membership has almost tripled since 2020. Our chapter covers almost 50 miles in radius, and in 2025, we changed our name to Wild Ones Ann Arbor Area Chapter (the “Area” is new), embracing members and partners throughout the Huron River watershed. And with this growth, we have instituted hybrid meetings with in-person and Zoom options. Perhaps you would like to join us!

Awards received by Wild Ones Ann Arbor Area Chapter

Washtenaw County Water Quality Protection Award 2024

More History, Through Other Lenses

Robert E. Grese Deep Roots Award

You can get a more granular look at our history through the short stories of people who have contributed to our chapter and been recognized with the annual Robert E. Grese Deep Roots Award. This award acknowledges outstanding contributions to our mission and confers a high-quality trowel on the recipient. Read more on the Awards page. 

Successes of Wild Ones Ann Arbor Area Chapter in 2025

Our December 2025 program celebrated the many activities of our chapter, including tours of member gardens, field trips to native plant providers, presentations on native plants and gardens, and more.

Diane’s Prairie

In 2015, former U-M lecturer Anthony Collings produced the award-winning short documentary Diane’s Prairie about Diane Macaulay’s yard in Ann Arbor. It features beautiful footage and interviews with several members of Wild Ones Ann Arbor Area who have been instrumental in building the native landscaping movement.