Plantemonium: Where Native Plants, Community Volunteering and Tortoise Week Meet!

Calling all green thumbs and nature lovers! If you've been looking for the perfect excuse to get your hands dirty or to come meet our new Habitat Conservation Ambassador, Peavine Pete, we've got the event for you! It's time to mark your calendars because Plantemonium is back on Saturday, October 7th from 9am to 12pm. This year it's going to be a celebration like no other.

What is Plantemonium? Plantemonium is the annual fall planting extravaganza hosted by the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation at Rosewood Nature Study Area in Reno. This event isn't just about sticking a few seeds in the ground; it's a full-blown community effort to restore a local wetland with native plants.

Planting makes a difference in our community. Plantemonium is about creating more resilient and diverse outdoors spaces. By restoring native habitats, we're helping our feathered, furry, and scaly friends thrive. Native plants provide food and shelter for insects, birds, and other wildlife, creating a ripple effect that benefits the entire ecosystem. Planting and restoration creates a space for the public to enjoy nature by enhancing recreational opportunities like birding, community science and nature walks. Finally, planting events like this help maintain and restore Rosewood to support science education for local students who visit for field trips or participate in camps.

You might be wondering, why native plants? Well, these beauties are the unsung heroes of the ecosystem. They provide food and shelter for local wildlife, improve air and water quality, and maintain the delicate balance of our natural landscapes. By planting native species, we're essentially rolling out the green carpet for the creatures who call our wetlands home.

Now, here's where the fun really starts. This year, Plantemonium coincides with something truly extraordinary – Desert Tortoise Week! Tortoise Week, which falls on October 1st through 7th, is all about celebrating these slow-moving, shell-wearing wonders and raising awareness about the habitat loss they face. This year, join us restoring a local habitat and enjoy some tortoise time too!

In honor of Desert Tortoise Week, we're throwing a tortoise twist into our Plantemonium event this year. If you join us, you will have the extra opportunity to come see Peavine Pete and learn some extra bonus information about native habitats and tortoises. Plus, all week we will be sharing some videos on social media covering Nevada habitat issues and desert tortoises.

Now, let's talk about the main event – the planting extravaganza. You'll join fellow nature enthusiasts in getting your hands a bit dirty as we plant native species to restore the wetland habitat. Don't worry if you're not a seasoned gardener; our friendly team will be there to guide you through the process. You'll be amazed at how therapeutic and rewarding planting can be, especially when you know you're making a real difference in the local ecosystem.

Ready to get involved? Here's how you can participate:

First, mark your calendar: Plantemonium is on October 7th at Rosewood Nature Study Area in Reno.

Second, sign up: Head over to the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation website to register for the event. Our planting events can be popular, so make sure to secure your spot early.

Finally, bring your A-game: Come dressed for a day of outdoor adventure. Sunscreen is recommended and we ask participants to wear pants and closed-toed shoes.

Plantemonium is more than just a planting event; it's a chance to connect with your community, learn about the importance of native plants, and, this year, to meet one of the most charming new tortoises in town. So, join us on October 7th for a day of fun and meaningful conservation efforts. Together, we can make our wetlands flourish and celebrate Tortoise Week in style. Don't miss out – we can't wait to see you there!

About the Author

Jennie is serving her second Americorps VISTA term as the Wetland Restoration Outreach Coordinator. She is from right here in Reno and went to the University of Nevada, Reno for a degree in Cultural Anthropology. She’s excited to use her marketing background to teach people about the parks and opportunities in their community. She enjoys running, hiking, sunshine and events such as Moms on the Run and the American River Half Marathon.