Join us for Spring Symposium 2026, a half-day event designed to inspire and equip gardeners to create landscapes that are both beautiful and ecologically vibrant. This year's symposium brings together foundational design strategies, fresh perspectives on misunderstood native "weeds," and practical techniques to transform resource-intensive lawns into thriving habitats. Each session blends science-based ecological horticulture with hands-on practices, showing you how to build gardens that support pollinators, birds, and soil health while enhancing your outdoor spaces. Whether you're just beginning your ecological gardening journey or ready to take bold steps toward transformation, you’ll come away with the knowledge and confidence to make your landscape part of the solution.
This event is hybrid! Join us in-person or virtually.
What will you learn?
- Core ecological design principles to create beautiful, functional, and wildlife-friendly gardens
- How to view "weedy" native plants through both ecological and horticultural lenses — and decide when they have a place in your garden
- Why reducing lawn area benefits pollinators, birds, soil health, and water conservation
- Practical, step-by-step methods to transition from lawn to layered plantings and pollinator-friendly habitat
- Strategies for designing within real-world constraints, including HOA guidelines and small-scale residential lots
- How to make informed plant choices that increase biodiversity while keeping your garden manageable and appealing
More about each session can be found here:
https://extension.psu.edu/spring-symposium-practical-pathways-to-healthy-landscapes
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