North Carolina Botanical Garden

Early naturalists of the 18th and 19th centuries left us with volumes of great plant and animal natural history information based on early explorations of “the New World”. Ironically, they left precious little information about the breeding biology of the Carolina Parakeet. Researchers continue to probe historic documents, and collections, and occasionally make new discoveries. We discovered a set of three eggs in our unarchived holdings at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences in 2018, for example. In this program, John will discuss what we know, and don’t know, about this extinct parakeet and relate this to some of the species’ tropical relatives.

The talk will be covering birds that are frequently seen in spring migration, with particular attention to birds that have been photographed right in the Triangle. The primary birds discussed will be warblers, both resident and migrants.

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.

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.

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.