A bumblebee visits hoary vervain (Verbena stricta), a flower native to Delta County and much of the central United States, in Escanaba recently. An event to collect seeds from other native plants and emphasize the importance of gardening with native species is planned for Wednesday at Aronson Island in Ludington Park. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press photo)

Wild Ones of the Central Upper Peninsula, an organization dedicated to education about native plants and the importance of biodiversity, will have a seed collection workshop and cookout/potluck Wednesday evening at Ludington Park in Escanaba.

The event — one of the local Wild Ones chapter’s last of the season — is open to all and free to attend.

People who wish to take part should meet at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the parking area at the north end of Aronson Island, up Bath House Road north of the Escanaba Municipal Beach. Wild Ones members and participants will tour the native plantings on that end of the island, with discussions and lessons on how to collect and preserve seeds. Wild Ones will provide envelopes for seed collection and provide suggestions for planting.

A meal is being organized for after the walk. Wild Ones will provide some grilled food, including a vegetarian option, along with drinks, plates, cups and flatware. They ask that attendees please bring a dish to pass if able — even a bag of chips or store-bought cookies would be appreciated, though it is not required. There is electricity at the pavilion, so power for crock pots should be available.

The mission of Wild Ones — a national organization — is to “promote environmentally-friendly, sound landscaping to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration, and establishment of native plant communities across the United States” and “to support each other in learning about landscaping with native plants and to share with others in their communities and networks about why it’s important to reintroduce native plants into public and private gardens and how to go about doing it.”

People may join and/or learn more about the Central Upper Peninsula chapter of Wild Ones at https://centralupperpeninsula.wildones.org.