Native Plant Trust

Monday, April 25 – Monday, September 12 – Plant Families, Self-Paced, Online

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What are the underlying evolutionary relationships and patterns in plants? In this Native Plant Trust online foundational course, you will learn the botanical terms used to describe plants and flowers, the evolutionary/phylogenetic basis for classification, and the identifying characteristics for several major plant families common to New England. With diagrams, images, and further resources offered to reinforce the concepts, you will apply the new material through indoor and outdoor assignments and peer forums. This Basic Certificate online core course is self-paced; a facilitator will guide you in your learning, review your assignments, and answer your questions. Click here to download the syllabus. It typically takes at least 12 hours to complete. Taught by Neela de Zoysa, the class is available April 25 – September 12.

$150 for NPT members, $200 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/plant-families/

Wednesdays, April 13 & 27, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Revitalizing the Garden: Incorporating Native Plants into Existing Landscapes, Online

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Over time, portions of our gardens are ready for a makeover. Short of starting from scratch, most gardeners would prefer to enhance what they already have. In this two part Native Plant Trust online workshop with Cheryl Saladino, we’ll cover essential design techniques to assess, reshape, and diversify established and newly imagined garden beds. We’ll jump-start your creativity by introducing a selection of native woody plants and perennials to match your growing conditions. You’ll be able to apply these principles by selecting an area on your property to revitalize. The live sessions take place April 13 & 27 from 6 – 9, and are $90 for NPT members, $108 for nonmembers, Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/revitalizing-garden-incorporating-native-plants-existing-landscapes/

Tuesday, April 12, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Early Detection of Invasive Plants, Online

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Invasive plants are not typically prohibited from the nursery trade until after the species has already spread prolifically throughout an ecoregion. However, a proactive new approach evaluates the threats of invasive plants before they become a significant problem. This Native Plant Trust webinar on April 12 from 1 – 2 offers a regional proactive approach to listing invasive plants, with a focus on early detection of potential invasive plants that may become established in New England. Bud Sechler leads the talk, and it’s $15 for NPT members, $18 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/early-detection-invasive-plants/

Friday, April 8, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Hawkweeds and King-Devils, Online

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The composite family is notorious for its difficulty to botanize in the field. The genera Hieracium and Pilosella (formerly included in a single genus) are challenging to distinguish due to their subtle distinctions, the importance of micromorphological details, and hybridization. This Native Plant Trust webinar will explain the rationale for splitting the two genera, using visuals to guide identification. We will also discuss species of conservation concern that could benefit from additional field surveys. The session will take place April 8 from 1 – 2, and is $12 for NPT members, $15 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/hawkweeds-and-king-devils/

Saturday, February 26, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Botany Story Slam, Live and Online

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Join Native Plant Trust for an evening of plant adventure storytelling. Listen to some of the region’s top botanists, horticulturists, and fellow plant geeks share their most riveting and hilarious tales from the field. This one-of-a-kind event will be held live at Garden in the Woods on February 26 at 6 pm and also streamed virtually. $20 for NPT members, $24 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/botany-story-slam/

Better Gardener’s Guide illustration

Tuesday, February 15, 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm – Native Meadows: Let’s Get Real, Online

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Wildflower meadows were introduced to the American gardening public in the 1960’s along with tie dye tee shirts and kaleidoscopic acid trips. But just like those 60’s acid trips, the colors never lasted. Alternatively, by planting site-adapted native perennials, managed according to the ecological processes that govern open field vegetation in the wild, long-lived vibrant meadows can be consistently achieved. In this August 12 online presentation by Larry Weaner, plant selection criteria, planting procedures, and management techniques will be illustrated through a series of residential case studies, including some over two decades old. $25. Register at www.ndal.org

NDAL (New Directions in the American Landscape) was founded in 1990 by Larry Weaner, and has presented programs throughout the US focusing on innovative theory, practical application, and an expansive vision of “Natural Design.” Programs also draw from a variety of disciplines, including agriculture, anthropology, history, and fine art. In 2016, NDAL received the first Regional Impact Award from the Native Plant Trust. This talk is cosponsored by the American Horticultural Association, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and Wild Ones – Native Plants, Natural Landscapes.

Wednesday, February 9, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Harvard University Herbaria Live Tour

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Native Plant Trust has partnered with staff at university herbaria throughout New England to offer a special inside look at the region’s most impressive plant specimen collections. The February in person program will feature the Harvard University Herbaria with Michaela Schmull, on February 9 from 1 – 2. $15 for Native Plant Trust members, $18 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/harvard-university-herbaria/

Thursday, January 27, 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm – Recording the Garden, Online

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Long-term gardening is easier when there’s a sense of continuity. Individual gardeners and community gardening teams can greatly benefit from recordkeeping to maintain consistency and direction over time. In this Native Plant Trust webinar on January 27 from 12:30 – 2, we discuss strategies to track what is planted in the garden and where, where plants came from, how well plantings survive over time, which gardening practices work best for a given location, and basic phenology concepts to help track the timing of plants’ life history events. Participants will also learn how to use garden records to track gardening experiments whose results can help inform future decisions about planting and maintenance. Led by Melanie Kenney, the program is cosponsored with the Ecological Landscape Alliance and is $18 for members of the sponsoring organizations, $23 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/recording-garden/

Friday, January 21, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Gardening for Climate Change, Online

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What shifts are we already seeing in our native gardens and landscapes due to changing climate, and what can we expect to see? What steps can we take to address these changes, and what do they mean for our local ecology? Using the latest scientific modeling and information, Alexis Doshas and The Native Plant Trust will explore these big questions and dig deep to identify factors affecting our flora and the ways native plants respond. Most importantly, we will discuss our role as stewards of our gardens, forests, and fields. The online session takes place January 21 from 6 – 8. $30 for NPT members, $36 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/gardening-climate-change/

Tuesday, January 11, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Research at the Sanctuaries, Online

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Native Plant Trust’s seven sanctuaries hold a wealth of information about the unique and rare plant life and natural communities that occur throughout New England. In this January 11 webinar, Native Plant Trust’s Ecological Programs Coordinator Bud Sechler will go beyond applied management to discuss exciting current research methods and goals underway at each plant sanctuary. The session begins at 1:00 pm Eastern, and is $12 for Native Plant Trust members, $15 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/research-sanctuaries/