This presentation will delve into the essentials of transforming your yard into a haven for wildlife. It will guide you through the selection of plants that attract and support birds, bees, and butterflies, explaining the importance of each choice in fostering a thriving ecosystem. Additionally, the presentation will highlight various elements to incorporate into your yard to enhance wildlife habitat, such as bird feeders, water sources, and nesting sites. By the end of the session, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of how to create a biodiverse environment that not only beautifies your space but also supports local wildlife, contributing to the overall health of your community’s ecosystem.

Amidst increasing public demand for alternatives to turf grass lawns, and a burgeoning awareness of the historic role grasslands and prairies have played in the ecological fabric of North Carolina, demand for large-scale herbaceous plantings is growing. However, information and precedents from regions north and west of the state (as well as Europe), where climate conditions are not as analogous as one might hope, appear to dominate the practice of prairie-making in North Carolina. Plant height, competitiveness, bloom time, and lifespan is different in North Carolina than it is in states as close as Maryland or Tennessee. Even in our state’s larger metropolitan areas, sustained increases in temperature, especially at night, mean that Piedmont prairies in downtown Raleigh may perform differently than in downtown Roxboro. Additionally, many plants designers commonly use come from places with lower nighttime temperatures and shorter summers, or are early successional plants with short lifespans that disappear after a few years, leaving enthusiasts (or clients) with a very different experience than they paid for. As we work to sustain restored habitat in our urban environments, we must continue to develop large-scale herbaceous plantings that perform functionally and aesthetically in the climate we have, not the climate we want.

Join Durham-based landscape architect, Preston Montague, for a presentation on his experience developing Piedmont prairies in a variety of environments in the rapidly developing Triangle. Preston will share an overview of the role herbaceous plantings play in our urban fabric, as well as successes, failures, and approaches in prairie-making in his practice moving forward.

Watch the birds as they feed in the fields and forests and you might find a tasty treat for your self. Birds aren’t the only creatures who can enjoy native fruits. In this Lunchbox talk, we’ll discuss 12 fruiting plants which can be added to your landscape for attracting birds, pollinators and human beings. Learn how to cultivate these native fruits in your garden and support biodiversity in your landscape and diet.

Often the focus of adding native plants to your landscape is to attract more wildlife by providing more food and habitat for them. What if you could have more birds to watch, help improve your landscape’s biodiversity, and share a delicious food source? Many native fruiting plants can be prepared as dishes that are tasty and nutritious. Native fruits are full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which can improve health, along with being tasty. Many native fruits are sweeter, tarter, or just provide a more unusual flavor palette than the hybridized fruits we find in our grocery stores. Chefs and brewers love them!

In this talk a variety of native edible fruits will be presented. Attendees will learn the cultural needs of each plant along with tips for planting, growing, harvesting, and how to use the fruit of each plant. A discussion of the design and utility of each plant and how to use it in an edible landscape plan will be provided.