Gibson Woods Wild Ones 10th Biennial Native Plant Symposium

Schedule

Sat Oct 17 2026 at 09:00 am to 03:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

St. John Township Community Center | Schererville, IN

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Beyond the Garden: Your Yard is an Ecosystem - Help it Thrive!
About this Event

This event includes Continential Breakfast, 3 Speakers, Boxed Lunch, Silent Auction, Book Sale, Door Prizes & More!

Attendance is limited, so get your registration in


Agenda

πŸ•‘: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Registration & Continental Breakfast
πŸ•‘: 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Jewels of the Undergrowth
Host: KEYNOTE SPEAKER - Kevin Wiener, All Bugs Go to Kevin

Info: Did you know that the majority of all animals on Earth have six or more legs? Prepare to have your perceptions transformed as we explore the fascinating life cycles, behaviors, and ecological significance of these often-overlooked inhabitants of our planet – the arthropods! Have you ever stopped to consider the intricate dance between a bee and a flower, or the silent work of decomposers breaking down leaf litter. Join Kevin Wiener as he explores how insects, spiders, mites, millipedes, and their kin contribute to pollination, pest control, nutrient cycling, and provide food for many animals.


πŸ•‘: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Oak Savanna Garden Design: Going Beyond 'Prairie-Style' Pollinator Gardens
Host: Mike Weis, Dropseed! Native Gardens and Ecological Resto

Info: Oak Savannas are ideal models for β€œhyper-productive keystone species,” crucial for supporting local food webs, as noted by entomologist Douglas Tallamy. Many urban yards suit Oak Savanna gardens, yet prairies and forests are more common models. Native garden designer Mike Weis explains the value of oak savanna ecosystems, their benefits to wildlife, and practical steps for creating your own native garden inspired by these resilient landscapes. Restore oaks and help transform your yard into a wildlife habitat.


πŸ•‘: 12:30 PM - 01:15 PM
Lunch, Socializing, and Shopping!

Info: Lunch Menu:
Assorted Wraps – Turkey dijon, Steak & ranch, Buffalo chicken (gluten free wraps available).
Very Berry & Grain – Seasonal berries, walnuts, tomato, cucumber & feta cheese.
Harvest Veggies


πŸ•‘: 01:15 PM - 01:30 PM
Small Group Discussions: Thinking Outside the Box
πŸ•‘: 01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
Soil Food Web – The Food Chain Beneath our Feet
Host: Rebecca Koets, Purdue Extension

Info: The soil food web is a systems way of understanding the life in the soil. Learn about tiny complex food chains, micro-organisms, invertebrates, and how to boost the health of our soil. Learn how to identify healthy and less healthy soil and how to help. Identify soil organisms and begin to learn about bio complete compost.


πŸ•‘: 02:30 PM - 03:00 PM
Silent Auction Results
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Where is it happening?

St. John Township Community Center, 1515 Lincoln Highway, Schererville, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 44.52 to USD 55.20

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Wild Ones, Gibson Woods Chapter

Host or Publisher Wild Ones, Gibson Woods Chapter

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