Northeast Chapter Webinar List

Dial into a great presentation from your comfy chair:
Webinars make learning about native plants easy

Does this winter seem like it’s lasting forever? Yeah, we know. It’s barely getting started! And you can only take so many winter hikes. If you’re in Covid quarantine like some of us, or just FEEL like you are, you may have a little extra time on your hands. May we suggest putting that time to good use?

Many organizations are hosting free webinars using Zoom or other platforms that let you hear from a host of experts about topics related to native plants. We’ve curated a few for your consideration. Some may have capacity limits, so it pays to sign up early.

Saturday, Jan. 16

  • 3pm, The Lost Landscapes of Indiana: Prairies and Wetlands of the Hoosier State Past and Present. Presented by Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest. “Today, we mostly think of Indiana as farmland with some forest remnants, but I think far too few Hoosiers realize how much of the state, especially the region near Gabis, was covered with tallgrass prairie filled with bison and prairie wolves and grizzlies, and expansive wetlands like the Kankakee that supported a huge diversity of wildlife. I would discuss both the history of how these landscapes were lost and where to find the few places where these ecosystems live on in the state.” $5 fee. Register here.

Wednesday, Jan. 20

  • 5-6pm. Front Yard Formal Native Landscaping, presented by Missouri Botanical Garden’s Native Plant School. “We’ll take a look at how to incorporate native plants into a front-yard setting. Class will cover topics such as proper plant selection, design methods, maintenance, use of turfgrass and more. Your neighbors will be envious of your tidy garden and will want to know all about your well-behaved native plants.” $10 fee for non-members. Register here.

Friday, January 22nd

  • 1pm  Marne Titchenell: Enhancing Your Landscape for Birds and Other Wildlife. Ohio State University. Register here.

Monday, January 25

  • 8pm. Native Landscaping for Winter Beauty. The Land Conservancy of McHenry County. “Get some winter landscaping tips to help you show off the beauty of your native grasses, wildflowers and shrubs. In this webinar we will also share information on the connection between wildlife and these particular plants.”  No fee. Register here.

Friday, January 29th

  • 10am. Debra Knapke: Eco-Conscious Gardening: From Concept to Design. Ohio State University. Register here. 
  • 1pm. Winter Tree Identification, presented by the Land Conservancy of McHenry County. “If you’ve ever wondered, “What kind of tree is that?” this is the video for you! Join Kim Elsenbroek, TLC’s Land Conservation Specialist, on a pre-recorded virtual tour to learn how to identify common trees in the winter.”  Sign up here and the video link will be emailed to you on Jan. 29.

Saturday, January 30

  • 10-11:30am. Rain Gardens and Native Plants Virtual Workshop, presented by St. Joseph River Watershed Initiative. Citizens can reduce stormwater runoff by installing rain gardens with native plants in their yards. Learn the basics at this workshop. Presenters: Stacy Haviland, Landscape Architect, City of Fort Wayne; and Martha Ferguson, Owner, Riverview Native Nursery. No fee. Click here for Zoom link.

Tuesday, February 16

  • 7-8:30pm. Native Plants in INDOT’s Roadside Management Program, presented by Indiana Native Plant Society. “Matt Krauchar, a Specialist in Indiana Department of Transportation’s Roadside Management Program, will provide a 40 minute presentation on INDOT’s vegetation management program and what they are doing to promote native species, control invasive and noxious weed species, all while providing a safe and aesthetically pleasing roadside. Q&A will follow the presentation.” Register here.

Wednesday, February 17

  • 2-3:30pm. Planning and Design for Native Plant Gardens, presented by the Washtenaw County Conservation District (Ann Arbor, MI). Vern Stephens of Designs by Nature LLC will present details on how to select a site and design for various types of native gardens. Participants will have the opportunity ask Vern questions. Alink to the webinar will be emailed to you prior to the date. No fee. RSVP here.

Saturday, February 27

  • 9am-1pm and February 28 from 9am-noon. 2021 Newfields Horticulture Symposium. “Join fellow nature-lovers on February 27 & 28 for a series of virtual lectures focused on the timely themes of conservation, native plants, native pollinators, and climate change. Hear nationally renowned experts, including New York Times bestselling author Douglas Tallamy, share inspiring ideas about planting native plants for native wildlife and learn how climate change is impacting all of it.” $55 for non-members. Here is the link to the full agenda and to buy tickets

Wednesday, March 3

  • 6:30-8pm. Growing Native Plants for Butterflies. Author Brenda Dziedzic (Raising Butterflies in the Garden) will present on the necessary components of a garden for butterflies and moths. Select plants for your garden to encourage and support Monarchs, Giant Swallowtails, Cecropias, and Lunas in your landscape. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions. RSVP here. RSVP here.

Friday, March 19

  • 1-2:30pm. Close Encounters with Nature: Native Design in the Residential Landscape. Larry Weaner. Small fee. Click here to sign up.

Podcasts

  • Freya Berntson, the chair of our chapter’s Stewardship Committee, explores various local restoration projects. Click here for a list of her podcasts.

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