Annual David H. Smith Memorial Lecture at Polly Hill Arboretum

Heather McCargo, founder of Wild Seed Project, will share the many reasons we should bring native flora back into our developed landscapes. Native plants are excellent additions to our gardens; they are beautiful, they are important for our regions’ ecosystem functioning, and they do not need the high inputs of water and nutrients of commonly cultivated plants. Heather will provide insight into what is happening in the nursery trade with native plants, including loss of genetic diversity and cloning, and how we can all promote our native flora by planting seed-grown native plants.

Registration is required. Sign up here: bit.ly/Heather-McCargo-Lecture

Picking out your plants should be fun and creative, not daunting or complicated. In this 1-hour presentation, learn how to create a native plant grouping all the layers of trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcovers. Using sample plant lists for various conditions, you will receive step-by-step guidance to inspire you with ideas for Fall 2022 planting. Presented in partnership with Wild Ones – PA Chapter. 

To register, Jessie at wildonesofsepa@gmail.com to receive a link to the online presentation.

Wild Seed Project will have an informational table with publications and merch at Terra Marketplace at Rooted Hart Farm & Apothecary. See their instagram account for more details: https://www.instagram.com/terramarketplace_/?hl=en

This summer, Wild Seed Project is inviting you into the yards of our members to see first-hand what biodiversity looks like at home. Our members will share stories about their personal habitat restoration journeys, and the challenges and joys they have encountered along the way as they have tackled invasive plants, experimented with leaving their leaves in place, cut back on mowing, and restored habitat with rich arrays of native plants.

More than 25 years ago Dora Galitzki transformed a small, wet backyard lawn in Rockport into a stunning native plant meadow, filled with masses of Ironweed, Joe-pye weed, swamp milkweed, bee balm, coreopsis, asters and others. In addition to this magical space tucked behind a fenced courtyard, her street side plantings are also filled with an abundance of native plants. A long-time member of Wild Seed Project, Dora has been a gardening columnist for the New York Times, and spent years as the New York Botanical Garden’s plant information officer. This event is sold out. To join the waitlist, click here.

In partnership with The Nature Conservancy and Norcross Wildlife Foundation

Join Dan Wilder for a tour of one of the most amazing and unique sites on the east coast. The Kennebunk Plains is a pyrogenic grassland ecosystem situated in Kennebunk, Maine. These ecosystems, once more common on the landscape, are home to numerous rare and endangered species such as grasshopper sparrows, broad sallow moths, and the largest population of New England blazing star in the world. Learn more about Kennebunk Plains on The Nature Conservancy website.

Dan Wilder is the Director of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation which is currently undertaking restoring several pine barrens and grassland sites in Massachusetts. With a focus on native plants and their associated ecology, Dan will lead us on a tour of the preserve to discuss the various species present and the work that goes into restoring and maintaining these unique ecosystems.

Our gardens and gardening practices are intrinsically tied to nature. This class will guide students through the best design and management strategies that work in unison with nature, encouraging and embracing biodiversity and sustaining healthy, low-maintenance gardens. Join Anna Fialkoff on a walk through Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens to hear and see first hand how to balance aesthetics, your workload, and the needs of local wildlife in a garden setting.

Learn more and register with Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.

Wild Seed Project will have a informational table with publications and merch. This event is free and open to the public. For more details, visit: https://mainefarmersmarkets.org/market/north-yarmouth-outdoor-market/

Details to come!

Each month, Wild Seed Project’s resident plant experts join members on Zoom to answer questions and talk all things native plants. Current members will receive an event link the week prior to each Q&A. Not a member? Join today!