Native Havens: Building Pollinator Habitats
About this Event
The Lake-to-Prairie Chapter of Wild Ones is proud to present our 13th Annual Native Landscaping Conference, Native Havens: Building Pollinator Habitats.
Pollinators play a vital role in sustaining our ecosystems and natural resources by helping plants reproduce. This often-overlooked ecosystem service is essential to the health of our environment and deserves our attention and support.
Research shows that local native pollinators thrive alongside local native plants. We know how much these important species support us-- now discover what we can do to support them. Join us to learn practical ways to create healthy, sustainable pollinator habitats in our own landscapes and communities.
Remember: We need pollinators, and pollinators need us!
8:15AM-8:45 AM - Registration, Exhibitor Tables, and Book Sales
8:45AM - Welcome and Opening Remarks, Sandra Washburn, President, Lake to Prairie Chapter
9:00AM -10:10AM - Keynote Speaker - Heather Holm- From Canopy to Groundlayer, Building Soft Landings with Keystone Plants for Pollinators
This presentation explores the powerful connection between keystone plants and the insects that depend on them. You'll learn how to implement "Soft Landings" in landscapes of all scales from home gardens to larger managed sites. This innovative habitat design and management strategy focuses on creating layered mini ecosystems beneath native trees to support pollinators throughout their life cycles. Participants will learn what defines a pollen specialist, discover examples of these fascinating bee-plant relationships, and understand how keystone plants function as foundational species in our ecosystems.
You'll benefit from practical strategies on site preparation methods, herbicide considerations, and building a resilient plant matrix of sedges, cool season grasses, and flowering keystone species. By the end of the presentation, participants will be equipped to design and install Soft Landing plantings that transform conventional landscapes into thriving sanctuaries for bee, caterpillars and other beneficial insects.
10:10AM - 10:45AM - Morning Break, Refreshments, Exhibitor Tables and Book Sales
10:45AM - 11:45AM - Steve Sass, Midwestern Butterflies and Moths: Morphology and Conservation
The order of Lepidoptera is perhaps the most beloved in the entire insect kingdom and their adaptations are vast and varied. Steve will introduce some of the fascinating aspects of butterflies and moths and provide tips on how our residential and commercial landscapes can help support their conservation.
11:45AM - 12:00PM - Short Break, Exhibitor Tables, Book Sales
12:00PM - 12:55 PM - Will Akin, Backyard Native Ecosystems
Explore the best native plants to incorporate into your home landscape to create meaningful ecological change and valuable habitat. You'll also learn how to understand your property's unique microclimate, make informed planting decisions, and maximize the positive impact your landscape can have on our local ecosystem and pollinators.
12:55PM - 1:00PM Closing Comments
Important! tickets at door will be $50! Please purchase early.
SPEAKERS
Heather Holm - a pollinator conservationist, nationally sought after speaker and award winning author of four books: Pollinators of Native Plants, 2014, Bees 2017, Wasps 2021 and Common Native Bees of the Eastern United States 2022. She is founder and chair of Minnesota Native Bees, an online field guide. Heather is also an accomplished photographer and her pollinator photos are frequently featured in print and electronic publications.
Steve Sass - Co-founder of Indiana Nature LLC, which includes the "IN Nature" educational initiative and the ecological services brand - Ecometrid. Steve's accomplishments include authoring the City of South Bend's Natural Resources Management Plan and Invasive Plant Ordinance, amending St. Joseph County Indiana's rank vegetation ordinance to allow exceptions for native plants and pollinator gardens, and serving on the Lepidoptera Task Force for the international organization, Pollinator Partnership.
His current endeavors include finishing a book titled, Botanical Time Bombs:A Historical Look at the Accidental and Intentional Introduction of the Invasive Plants of the Eastern United States, and working with local elected leaders to preserve and protect land for posterity. Under the Ecometrid brand, Steve and his partner Amanda Smith design, manage and maintain restored and recreated Midwestern landscapes. Their clients and partners include state and municipal government entities, churches, libraries and schools.
Will Akin - Co-founder of the local nonprofit Braided Roots, whose passion lies in education and building connections through all forms of earth-centered learning. Will has worked in Forest Preserve Operations for more than 10 years, with a focus on native habitat restoration. He also spent 5 years running a small-scale specialized nursery, focusing on plants that create positive ecological change and support the health of our local community and ecosystems.
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Are you part of an organization that would like to share information with our attendees or perhaps you have a product you would like to sell at the conference? If so, please consider joining us as an exhibitor. You can sign up as a vendor or a not-for-profit. If you sign up as an exhibitor, you do not have to register. Exhibitor admission is $50 for vendors and $30 for not-for-profits. The cost of this admission pays for 2 people, a table, 2 chairs and food.
To join us as an exhibitor use this link for mail-in exhibitors registration
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Visit our website laketoprairie.wildones.org
Questions? Call 847-812-8105 or Email Us at: [email protected]
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Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 23.18 to USD 49.87