More Events and Activities!
We are excited to offer a range of events and activities throughout the year in addition to fan favorites like the yearly Midwest Native Plant Conference, and the Native Plant & Artisan Sale. In 2025, we are offering two special events in addition to the native plant conference. Details below! Join us by subscribing to our mailing list and be among the first to know about our upcoming events.
Creating & Maintaining Living Landscapes Workshop
March 29, 2025 ~ 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Cost: $95.00 Includes Lunch
Attendee Registration is open!
Go here for: Information about Speakers and Programs
This workshop held at the Bergamo Center in Beavercreek, Ohio, offers educational opportunities that will inspire the way you look at native plants. There will be presentations, hands-on learning opportunities and field trips for home gardeners, native plant activists, landscape designers, and anyone interested in learning about the remarkable world of native plants and their interactions with our local wildlife. Rooms are available to rent at the Bergamo Center on Friday night. $72 single, $95 double. Email midwestnativeplants@gmail.com for more information.
Donald Pell, Fumblings of a Garden Designer: The Journey of an Ecological Sensualist
Jim McCormac, Sparrows of Ohio
Workshop Agenda
Registration opens promptly at 9:00 am. Please enter through the main front doors of the Bergamo Center. We encourage all attendees to arrive early to ensure they have time to check in and settle before the day’s activities begin.At 9:30 am, we will kick off the workshop with a session led by the renowned Landscape Designer, Donald Pell, who has received numerous awards for his work in the field. Following his presentation, participants will be able to engage in various educational programs designed to enhance their knowledge and appreciation of landscaping and ecology. Programs will take place both indoors and outdoors.
At noon, Lunch will be provided and served in the Bergamo dining room. Options will be available for vegetarians. This will be a great time to network with fellow attendees and reflect on the morning’s sessions. After lunch, we will continue our educational journey with additional programming, concluding the day with an informative presentation by well-known naturalist Jim McCormac. Jim will share his insights on sparrows, highlighting their behaviors and habitats, especially of our winter residents.
At 4:00 pm, for those interested in a more hands-on experience, we will offer an optional field trip after the presentations. This trip, led by Kelly Capuzzi, will take place on the grounds, where we will search for fascinating native plants and observe local wildlife, with a special emphasis on spotting winter sparrows in their natural habitat. Team members and speakers will be assisting in the field.
Spring Nature Safari :
Exploring the Hills of Southern Ohio
May 30-June 1, 2025
Cost $150.00 ~ Limit 125
Shawnee Lodge and Conference Center
We are planning a fun and relaxed weekend exploring the beautiful natural areas of Shawnee State Forest in Scioto County, and the wild areas in Adams County. We expect to find some amazing wildflowers, migrant warblers who have returned to nest, and many other amazing creatures we will see during our daytime and nighttime forays into nature. Our past safaris have proven that there is always something new and fascinating to discover in the Hills of Shawnee and Ohio TNC / Edge of Appalachia preserve system. In addition, we will visit Kamama Prairie, one of the Arc of Appalachia preserves.
In addition to the daytime field trips, on Friday night, naturalist Jim McCormac will introduce you to warblers and wildflowers that you will likely see on your weekend field trips. On Saturday night, you will get a look into Ohio Bobcat conservation by Dr. Shauna Weyrauch. On Sunday morning at 10:00 am, Dr. Doug Tallamy will give us an inspiring and educational talk about the latest news on native plants! His talk will be open to the public for a small fee. Evening talks are followed by various field trips and mothing at the sheets with Diane Placto Brooks.
Cost $150.00, and includes 3 keynote speakers, Saturday field trips, Saturday dinner buffet, and Sunday morning breakfast buffet. Saturday field trip lunches are available at an additional cost. Lodging is not included but discounted conference rates are available for attendees. Limit 125. Visit the links below for more information. Join our email list to stay updated!
Jim McCormac, Warblers of Shawnee State Forest
Dr. Shanua Weyrauch, Bobcat: The Return of a Native Ohio Wild Cat
Dr. Doug Tallamy, How can I help? Saving Nature with Your Yard.
Open to the public for a fee.
Below is a gallery of photos from some of our events.
