Chapter Events

Landscaping with native plants has become popular with home gardeners, but people who are not familiar with natives can find them wild, messy, or having an untidy appearance. Through plant choice, design, and maintenance, it’s important to convey the sense that a native plant garden is intentional and maintained. 

We’ll show you how to use native plants in a more formal manner, for front yard purposes. They’ll notice your beautiful garden first, which just *happens* to be native plants, giving you the opportunity to share the benefits with people and wildlife.

Public gardens hold tremendous power to influence landscaping norms and inspire change. By showcasing the beauty, functionality, and ecological value of native plants, these spaces help foster biodiversity, advocate for sustainable practices, and engage communities in environmental stewardship. 

This webinar will explore how public and demonstration gardens serve as powerful tools for native plant advocacy. Attendees will learn how gardens move beyond aesthetics to spark action—turning appreciation into engagement and inspiring participants to replicate these practices in their own communities.

We will hear insights from Nicole Machuca, Environmental Social Scientist at the Field Museum, on how public gardens influence behaviors, foster stewardship, and connect people to conservation efforts through research and community engagement. The Wild Ones Capital Region NY and the Wild Ones San Diego (CA) Chapters will share their experiences building native plant demonstration gardens and how these spaces drive community engagement, education, and advocacy. And We'll finish with a conversation exploring how public gardens create a lasting impact beyond planting day moderated by Kelly Kapuzzi, Demonstration Garden Char with the Wild Ones Hocking Hills (OH) Chapter.

Companion Planting with Natives, Erin Goss,

Enjoy talking to people and spreading the word about native gardening? Then volunteer to help. Contact Donna at [email protected] to sign up and get more info.

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon!