Backyard Bird Habitat Workshop 2018 – Native Design for the Birds

Join Michigan Audubon and Wesley Landon of Native Edge for an all-day workshop focused on the critical relationship between birds and native plants, all through the lens of intentional garden design. In this workshop, participants will learn why birds need native plants, which native plants are “powerhouses” for birds, and how to use native plants in both formal and informal landscapes. A common concern when adding native plants to the landscape is their “weedy” or “messy” look – this year’s workshop is focused on bucking this misconception by teaching participants how to select native plants to fit a desired design aesthetic and still support birds, pollinators, and wildlife. Wesley Landon is a licensed landscape architect focused on creating resilient, innovative places which inspire and restore the native environmental fabric of the landscape. He will be sharing his knowledge through an interactive exercise and discussion on site selection and formal design using native plants. Participants should bring aerial images, sketches of a future garden project, and/or knowledge about specific site conditions to discuss during the exercise.

This workshop will feature an indoor educational session followed by an outdoor walk to view good examples of a bird-friendly landscape. In the afternoon, the group will travel to Wildtype in Mason, where owner Bill Schneider will give a tour of this unique native plant nursery and participants will have the opportunity to shop and explore during one of the few days this great resource is open to the public. Participants will take home a resource folder packed with helpful tips and a native shrub to kick-start a backyard habitat transformation. A buffet lunch is included with registration along with a packet of take-home resources. Please dress appropriately for the outdoors as this event will take place rain or shine.

If you love watching birds, please join us to learn how you can support our birds by stewarding healthy native habitat around your home, office, school, or neighborhood.

Cost: $25 for Michigan Audubon or Woldumar Nature Center members; $35 for non-members of either organization

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