Wendy Rihner

Wendy was a Wild Ones member prior to joining the WOPB seedling in 2022, as a founding member. She is an active member of the Louisiana Native Plant Society, the Orleans Audubon Society, where she is Education Chair, and others. She also volunteers at the Pelican Greenhouse at N.O. City Park, and Luke’s House which is a native plant pollinator garden.  She has been very active in promoting the use of native plants, especially in eastern St. Tammany and has secured a grant for Northshore High School in Slidell.  Wendy volunteers with WOPB as it assists with the Louisiana Certified Habitat Program.  Her property is certified at the Gold level.  Initially WOPB’s Vice President, she was elected to WOPB’s board of directors in 2023, as Program Chair. Wendy is currently involved in WOPB’s work groups addressing Events, Education, and Outreach, Schools and Youth projects, and Fundraising.  Wendy’s skills and experience are proving to be invaluable for WOPB. Thank you, Wendy!

Wendy’s favorite:

Plectocephalus americanus, commonly known as American basketflower.  “Though it has been extirpated from Southwest Louisiana, I still love it, because it is a pollinator magnet, more than any other bloom I have seen in my garden. Its bracts look like a basket! And it has a cool flower head!”