Homegrown Habitat event returns

FINDLAY — Following last year's successful "Homegrown Habitat: How To!" event featuring renowned native plant expert Doug Tallamy, the event this year will take place April 26 at the University of Findlay's Alumni Memorial Union. The deadline to register is April 18. Seats are $15 each and limited. This year's event will feature Courtney Denning and Kara Maynard of Deeply Rooted Landscapes, a native plant nursery and design firm dedicated to habitat creation. Native plants will be available for purchase from Natives in Harmony. The workshop will provide attendees with practical knowledge on designing and implementing native plant gardens that benefit local ecosystems. Topics will include the ecological benefits of native plants, selecting the right plants for different environments, and best practices for creating a sustainable landscape. Participants will also receive hands-on resources including plant lists for sunny and shady gardens, a planning grid and a guide to native plant nurseries. Maynard, owner of Deeply Rooted Landscapes, has been an advocate for sustainable gardening for more than 16 years. She founded Deeply Rooted Landscapes in 2019, which has since grown into a team offering design consultations, installations, maintenance and educational workshops. Denning, an environmental educator and garden designer, has extensive experience in native plant landscaping and has transformed her own yard into a thriving habitat with more than 200 Ohio native plant species. Registration and breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by the presentation, question and answer period and plant sales from 9 a.m. to noon. "We are excited to continue the conversation on the importance of native plants in our landscapes," said Maynard. "This event is about empowering people to take action in their own yards to support biodiversity and sustainability." The Homegrown Habitat website has a video of the full presentation of last year's event. Registration for Homegrown Habitat: How To! is now open. For more information or to register, visit https://homegrownhabitat.org.