Hybrid Lunchbox Talk: Residential Restoration – Experiments with Piedmont Prairies

North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United States

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.

Hybrid Special Presentation: A Tree for the Future – Deepening People-Plant Relationships

North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United States

Saving Our Savannas: Stories of the Longleaf Pine was a six-month series of events offered January – June 2024 by the North Carolina Botanical Garden in partnership with several mission-aligned organizations across the state. Program offerings included field trips, lectures, and workshops with overarching objectives to increase awareness of and inspire action to support the conservation of longleaf pine natural areas, uplift the cultural significance of these areas to indigenous Tribal Nations in the southeastern U.S., and honor the natural, cultural, and historical significance of these remarkable environments. Longleaf pine ecosystems, including savannas, sandhills, and others, extend across the southeastern United States from Virginia to Texas.
Hear from steering committee members as they share successes, challenges, lessons learned and outcomes from the program series.

EcoKids: Vernal Pool Wonders

North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United States

Spring is here, and so are the amazing creatures of vernal pools! From chorus frogs to dragonfly larva and spotted salamanders, these seasonal wetlands are stirring with life. Join us for a hands-on adventure as we explore these unique spring nurseries, use dip nets to discover hidden critters, and learn about the fascinating world of vernal pools.

$12

School’s Out Camp: Forest Adventures (for ages 6-8)

North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United States

Step into the magical world of the forest! This camp combines storytelling and nature exploration. Campers will learn about the plants and trees of the forest while hearing stories and folktales that feature forest creatures. They’ll explore the woods, act out forest tales, and create tree art!

School’s Out Camps feature a blend of indoor and outdoor learning, experienced environmental educators, and loads of fun in a small group setting!

$75

Hybrid Lunchbox Talk: Eating Like a Bird – Native Fruits We Can Enjoy at Our Tables

North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United States

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.

Berry-Bearing Botanicals: Illustrating Birds’ Breakfasts

North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United States

In this four-session class, we’ll explore painting in watercolor four native plants that produce berries and serve as vital food sources for our feathered friends during the Winter and Early Spring months. Join us in creating paintings of some of these essential plants and for discussions about the ecological importance of these plants and the fascinating interactions between North Carolina flora and the fauna they support.

Hybrid Lunchbox Talk: Urban Forestry & Birds

North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United States

This talk will offer an introduction to Urban Forestry, highlighting its importance to birds and how we can contribute to its health. Hannah will cover the various components of your urban forest, its role as a habitat, its connection to bird migration, and the relationships between birds and people. Additionally, there will be a high-level overview of tree ordinances to inform the community about how decisions regarding the tree canopy are made.

Nature Tales: Fairy Tales

North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United States

Join us for a story hour filled with enchanting tales about fairies, forests, and a bit of make-believe magic. After the stories, let your imagination soar as we build fairy homes using nature's supplies. Come dressed for the weather and prepared to take a walk!

This family-friendly program has been designed especially for children ages 3–7. FREE, but registration is required.

Free

Spring Break Camp (for ages 6-8)

North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United States

Enjoy a full week of nature adventures at the Garden this spring break! Campers will become springtime explorers, discovering the wonders of the season as they search for signs of new life in ponds, forests, and gardens. From spotting animals emerging from hibernation to uncovering plants as they begin to bloom, each day will be filled with exciting hands-on activities and outdoor time. In addition to nature exploration, campers will enjoy lively games, storytelling, and spring-themed crafts. With small groups and experienced environmental educators, this camp promises a fun and educational spring break experience!

$360

Annual Evelyn McNeill Sims Native Plant Lecture: Adventures in Ecological Horticulture

North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United States +1 more

Who doesn’t love butterflies? Habitat cultivation is a vital component of creating ecologically healthy landscapes, particularly in urban settings. But traditional landscaping practices rarely take biodiversity into consideration, and there is a dearth of effective guidelines to inform this goal.

For ecological horticulturist Rebecca McMackin, biodiversity is central to landscape management. In her 10 years as Director of Horticulture at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Rebecca oversaw 85 acres of diverse, organic landscapes, all managed to support birds, butterflies, and soil microorganisms.

Join us to learn how to use ecological insight and experimentation to develop new management strategies – and why careful observation and documentation of the insects, birds, and other wildlife in your gardens is crucial to their success.

Hybrid Lunchbox Talk: Native Grasses and Sedges – Smart Choices for Better Landscapes

North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United States

Looking for strategies to boost your landscape’s ecological impact? Join us for a look at plant-based solutions to common landscape challenges. Rather than oceans of mulch and vast expanses of turf grass, try using use native grasses and sedges. These extraordinary plants help preserve and build the soil, outcompete weeds, and offer a host of ecosystem benefits. Discover how greener grasses help build better landscapes and communities.