Take home helpful insights from MDC for restructuring home gardens with Sept. 22 workshop and online option Sept. 28

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The grass may be greener on the other side, but why not have a habitat where pollinators may buzz and native plants can bloom instead?

Learn all about changing up your landscape with the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) upcoming workshop from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Flora & Forge, 315 W Commercial Street in Springfield. An online program will be offered from 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28.

During the Less Lawn, More Life: Plan the Rewilding workshop, MDC Conservation Educator Stacia Skinner will guide attendees through the step-by-step process of ditching the turf and welcoming native life back to your property.

Register for the in-person workshop Sept. 22 at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/221091  

Register for the online portion Sept. 28 at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/220477

The workshop will cover a variety of topics, including:

• The "Why" Behind the Wild: How small, intentional yards act as essential oases for local birds, pollinators, and the broader web of life.
• Turf-Busting Tactics: Satisfying, low-stress methods for removing unwanted grass—from sheet mulching and smothering to direct removal.
• Planting vs. Winter Seeding: How to choose between tucking fall plugs into warm soil or letting Mother Nature handle cold-stratified winter seeding.
• Taming the Strip: Turning those tricky, neglected sidewalk patches into vibrant wildlife corridors.
• Designing for Life: Selecting the right native flowers, grasses, and shrubs to attract pollinators, songbirds, and beneficial insects.
• Low-Maintenance Magic: How native plants save you time and money on water, fertilizer, and yard work once established.

“Whether you're starting small or envisioning a backyard national park, this session will help you create a space where biodiversity thrives and nature comes home,” Skinner said.

Participants should bring along paper and pencils to sketch ideas and take notes. All participants must be 18 years or older to attend. Registration is required.

To discover more events hosted by MDC, visit mdc.mo.gov/events.

MDC is committed to accessibility at all its nature centers, regional facilities, and conservation areas. To request an ADA accommodation for participation in MDC programs, visit mdc.mo.gov/accessibility.