MDC and partners present native landscaping workshop March 31 in Maryland Heights

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News from the region
Saint Louis
Published Date
02/09/2018
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MARYLAND HTS., Mo.— Homeowners can contribute significantly to making their neighborhoods and communities greener by planting native plants.   To help them get started, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and partners are once again presenting Partners for Native Landscaping Workshop.  The workshop will take place Saturday, March 31, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Maryland Heights Community Center, 2300 McKelvey Road.  

The workshop will provide information and resources that will enable homeowners to landscape their property with native plants to help create greener communities.  The event features a series of breakout sessions that will explore topics in greater depth.

Check-in and networking for the workshop begins at 8 a.m. and the general workshop session starts at 9 a.m.  Following the general presentations, the breakout sessions will cover:

  • Gardening for wildlife
  • Designing native gardens
  • Maintaining native gardens
  • Developing rainscaping features

Participants will also learn about native plant organizations, discover related upcoming events, meet other native gardeners and purchase Missouri native plants and wildflowers for their landscaping needs.

Space is limited for the workshop and advanced registration is required.  A $20 fee covers the entire workshop, which includes a buffet lunch.  Registration is available online at https://goo.gl/VftKMz.  For questions about the event, call (314) 599-7390.

The workshop is sponsored jointly by MDC, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, Shaw Nature Reserve, St. Louis Audubon Society’s Bring Conservation Home Program, St. Louis Community College, the St. Louis Chapter of Wild Ones, and Grow Native!.

Native plants have evolved in Missouri’s landscape. They are better acclimated to our climate conditions than exotic plants and resistant to local pests and diseases.  This translates into less time, effort and costs consumed by watering, fertilizing and insecticide use. 

Likewise, native Missouri wildlife has evolved to coexist and use native plants for cover, food and habitat.  So increasing native plants also tends to increase desirable wildlife, like birds, butterflies and pollinators.

The Partners for Native Landscaping Workshop is part of MDC’s commitment to work with homeowners to sustain healthy and greener communities for both people and wildlife.