Join us for the third event in our 2025 Native Plant Speaker Series! Why native plants? River Johnson, owner of Wandering Roots Native Plants and Ecological Landscape Design and member of the BIPOC Food and Farm Network, will discuss various priorities and reasons for such gardens, such as supporting wildlife and pollinators, reducing stormwater runoff, and providing beauty. Rivers, who has a Master's degree from Antioch University where she studied market gardens, permaculture, biodynamic frameworks, and organic farming methods, will review garden design concepts such as wild versus formal, cottage, natural, layout method and garden preparation. River will also have a Q&A portion of her talk before the workshop.

Each household attending this workshop will collaborate on a group design, and each should bring a picture of their yard/garden area. River will work with each household to determine important aspects of their garden space, such as soil condition, sun and shade, and slope. Households will make a native plant wish list and a sketch of their dream garden!

You must pre-register for this event and registration is limited. Meet in the auditorium at Aullwood Farm, 9101 Frederick Pike, Dayton OH 45414. Members of Friends of Aullwood, National Audubon Society, and ANCA affiliated organizations with membership card or receipt will pay a $12 workshop fee per household, limit 3 people per household. (Bring your membership card when arriving at Aullwood; those without cards or proof of membership will be charged the non-member fee.) Non-members will pay a $16 workshop fee per household, limit 3 people per household.

This workshop is free for participants in the Aullwood Audubon Native Plant Backyard Challenge, but NPBC participants must still preregister with their special NPBC discount code. Questions? Call 937-890-7360 or email AskUs@aullwood.org.

(Ruby-throated Hummingbird, immature, Shenandoah county, Virginia. Photo: Alice Findler/Audubon Photography Awards 2022.)