From the Native Plant Center

by | Mar 8, 2026 | Blogs, Director's Blog, Environmental and Food Justice

Register Today for March 16 Conference

Find Out What’s Trending
in Native Garden Design

Native plants are gaining in popularity. Discover how to add ecological value to your landscape at The Native Plant Center’s 2026 Spring Landscape Conference, Native Garden Design: Now Trending, on Monday, March 16, at Westchester Community College (snow date, March 20).

Hear the latest in design, plant use, evaluation, and production from industry experts: Leslie Needham, a designer and principal of Leslie Needham Design; Ethan Dropkin, a designer at Larry Weaner Landscape Associates; Sam Hoadley, manager of horticultural research at Mt. Cuba Center; and Tom Knezick, president of Pinelands Nursery. For details and to register, click here.

Landscape architects, designers, and other industry professionals please note: The event has been approved for 3 LA-CES, 3 APLD, 3 CERP, and 2 ISA credits.

Register Today for Spring Classes

Invasive Species, Perennials, Birds, Pollinators, More…

Dig deeper into the world of native plants by taking a class through the Go Native U program. The Spring semester is loaded with exciting courses; some are offered remotely, others in person. Coming up…

  • Learn how to identify and manage invasive species in Gardener’s Toolkit for Invasive Species, beginning February 27, with Jessica Schuler.
  • Discover an array of herbaceous plants that will make your garden sing in Native Perennials: Spring/Summer, February 28, with Patty Butter.
  • Find out how to provide food, shelter, and nesting sites for birds in Creating a Bird-Friendly Garden, March 3, with Kim Eierman.
  • Explore the best woodies for your yard in Native Trees and Shrubs, beginning March 7, with Carolyn Summers.
  • Learn how to support pollinators in Creating a Succession of Bloom in the Native Garden, March 10, with Kim Eierman.
  • Identify herbaceous and woody plants in slumber in Winter Garden Field Walk, which has been moved to a new snow date of March 13, with Patty Butter.

For details and a full schedule of classes, click here. To register, call 914-606-6830.

Classes are offered in collaboration with Westchester Community College’s Workforce Development & Community Education division.

Photo: Cercis canadensis, Eastern redbud, Campbell and Lynn Loughmiller , Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Mark Your Calendar: April 29

The Westchester Community College Foundation will host its Transforming Futures Together Gala, at Tappan Hill Mansion, Tarrytown, to support student needs and programs. Honorees will be former U.S. Representative Nita Lowey (posthumously), DeCicco & Sons, and American Women of African Heritage, Inc. Actor Chris Williams will emcee.

Dear Supporter:

Your Gift Can Keep Us Growing

As a champion of native plants since 1998, The Native Plant Center is a leader in nature education and a treasured community resource. Please continue to support our mission of teaching students of all ages and enhancing wildlife habitats through a reaffirming gift.