March and April 2018 native plant events

Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Gateway Green Industry Conference
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Cost: Walk-in registration is $85.00.
Location: Gateway Center, Collinsville, IL

Session I:
Perennial Stars on the Horizon – Martha Smith
Underutilized Native Trees for Landscaping – Chris Evans
Session II:
Fifty Shapes of Shade – Martha Smith
Successful Nursery Stock Transplanting – Mark Grueber and Daniel Moncheski
Invasive Plants and Human Health – Chris Evans
Session III:
Practical Pond Management – David Shiley
Tree Care and Urban Soils – Ryan Pankau
Landscaping Fact or Fiction – Chris Enroth
Session IV:
Establishing Patches of Habitat for Native Pollinators – Erin Shank
Weedy Vines – Rhonda Ferree
Going Organic: Are Organic Pesticides Safer than their Synthetic Counterparts – Chris Enroth
Session V:
Pollinators and Landscapers – Kelly Allsup
Emerging and Exotic Ornamental Diseases in Illinois – Diane Plewa
Pruning Techniques for Small Trees and Shrubs – Ryan Pankau
Session VI:
The Art of Combining Native Perennials – Scott Woodbury
Top Ten Illinois Tree Pests: What’s Bugging that Tree? – Kelly Allsup
Compost Recipe Development and Odor Management – Duane Friend

Thursday, March 8, 2018
Shaw Nature Reserve, Native Plant School
NEW Pruning Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines  
James Faupel
“Thinking about pruning this winter? Come learn the art of pruning. Learn how to remove large branches safely, prune dead and damaged wood and crossed branches. Also learn how to thin densely-branched trees and rejuvenate shrubs. Learn when to prune, how much to prune and explore strategies to keep plants short and dense or tall and graceful. Mostly outdoor/dress for the weather.”

Registration is required. Please register and pay online. If you are unable to register online, call Rachel at Shaw Nature Reserve at (314) 577-9526.
Time: All classes are Thursdays from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Fees: $17 for non-members; $14 for members.

Wednesday, March 14
Monthly Gathering: Wild Ones – St. Louis Chapter
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: THE HEIGHTS Community Center in Richmond Heights, 8001 Dale Ave.
Topic: Native Trees, Selection & Care presented by Kyle Cheesborough, Bellefontaine Cemetery staff horticulturalist.
Cost: Free and open to the public

Thursday, March 15, 2018
Missouri Botanical Garden
Project Pollinator 2 Year Anniversary Celebration
Time: 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: St. Louis County Library Headquarters
“Will feature resources on native plants, advice on building pollinator habitats, information on beekeeping, and more! Expert speakers and light refreshments will be served as well.”

Wild Ones – St. Louis Chapter event
Thursday, March 15 and Saturday, March 17, 2018
Honeysuckle Sweep Weeks
March 3 – 18, 2018
In the spring and autumn, area conservation groups come together and sponsor events to remove invasive honeysuckle. We need volunteers to help remove it. Our Wild Ones – St. Louis Chapter volunteer event will be on two days, Thursday, March 15 and Saturday, March 17; 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. at The National Museum of Transportation(Kirkwood). You can read Besa Schweitzer’s blog post about our event on our website.

Saturday, March 17, 2018
Missouri Botanical Garden
Location: Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House
Starting a Pollinator Garden
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Instructor: Chris Hartley
Cost: $21.00 garden members or $25.00 general public
Register online
“Learn how to successfully create a garden for pollinators or how to make an existing garden more pollinator friendly. We will cover the top native plants for attracting a variety of pollinators active in our area. Whether your gardening interests are in food gardening, native plant gardening, or gardening for pure beauty, you will find rewarding information here.”

Saturday, March 17, 2018
Forest ReLeaf of Missouri
Monthly tour of the nursery, CommuniTree Gardens
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm 
Cost: Free
Registration: For more information and to sign up, email Tom@moreleaf.org.

Saturday, March 31, 2018
2018 Partners for Native Landscaping Workshop 
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $20.00 per person, including buffet lunch
Location: Maryland Heights Community Center
Registration: On the St. Louis Audubon’s registration page

This is the 7th year for this workshop series. Ted Spaid will be the keynote speaker. He is co-founder and partner at SWT Design, a nationally-recognized landscape design firm, and quite the inspirational speaker! The workshop will feature an afternoon of breakout sessions on a variety of topics that should satisfy both beginners and experienced native plant folks.

Wednesday, April 11 at 6:00 p.m. or Saturday, April 14 at 9:30 a.m.
Monthly Gathering: Wild Ones – St. Louis Chapter
Yard Tour: Come and see the spring garden at the home of James Faupel, our vice president.
Cost: Free and open to the public

Thursday, April 12, 2018
Shaw Nature Reserve, Native Plant School
Native Wild Edible Plants  
Jen Sieradzki
“Did you know that many native plants are edible and delicious too? Together, class members and Whitmire Wildflower Garden horticulturists will identify some common native edible plants, view them in a garden setting, discuss different ways to utilize them in recipes, and sample them too! This will be a fun and interactive class for gardeners and cooks alike. Indoor/outdoor.”

Registration is required. Please register and pay online. If you are unable to register online, call Rachel at Shaw Nature Reserve at (314) 577-9526.
Time: All classes are Thursdays from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Fees: $17 for non-members; $14 for members.

[Editor’s Note: Save the date for The Spring Wildflower Market at Shaw Nature Reserve on Friday, May 11, 2018 (pre-sale for members only) and Saturday, May 12. Our Wild Ones – St. Louis Chapter will have a booth selling native plants. Along with this event, an upcoming blog post will list the other local spring native plant sales.]