Join the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cuyahoga County for Fall Seminar: Gardening for a Healthier Yard and Community!
This day-long seminar will focus on everything from hummingbirds, butterflies and bees, to natives and invasives, to an update on the Cleveland Tree Coalition’s efforts to restore Cleveland’s urban canopy. There’s something for everyone and plenty of information on gardening for a healthier yard and community!
When: September 20, 2025 / 8:15 am - 3:30 pm
Where: Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio
6393 Oak Tree Blvd, Independence, OH 44131
Seminar fee: $65 (includes Keynote Speaker and three sessions, Continental Breakfast, and a boxed lunch).
Note: Check payments must be received by September 19; sorry, no refunds will be issued.
Keynote Speaker (9:00 AM – 10:15 AM)
Ginger Woolridge, Educator and Co-Author (with Tony Dove) of "Essential Native Trees for the Eastern US: The Guide to Creating Sustainable Landscape"
Woody Natives: Making Quick and Confident Choices
We know that it is important to support a productive ecology with native plant material. But, what next? Ms. Woolridge will briefly discuss the case for planting natives, along with a system for choosing trees and shrubs from our rich native palette. Important attributes and design principles will be considered as well as cultural requirements and opportunities. Finally, Ginger will present some of her favorite proven and attractive trees and shrubs.
Morning Session (10:45 AM- 11:45 AM)
Option A
Janet Macunovich, Professional Gardener, Garden Designer and Author
Simplify to Keep on Growing
Thomas Jefferson said, "I am an old man but yet a young gardener." If you have been gardening for many years, you feel this, too. Your situation and abilities change yet your desire to keep growing does not. Here are insights helpful to both young and old gardeners. For those beginning, a way to plan and keep a great yard without overwhelming your already-busy schedule. For the long-time gardener, ways for keeping up what your younger self began. You will enjoy these real-life examples of streamlining, saving energy, and altering methods, tools and perspectives. Presented by a professional gardener with 40 years of experience and lots of input from others with even more seniority.
Option B
Dave Thomashefski, Director of Education, Meadow City Native Plant Nursery
Pollinator Town, or Where Do They Go?
We love to watch pollinators visiting our flowers, but as the growing season ends, we may wonder about their lives away from the flowers. Where do they go to find shelter and how can we modify our gardens to give these insects a home? Dave will explore the garden as though it were a city of pollinators with habitat features that we, the gardeners, can provide.
Option C
Joseph Tychonievich, Horticulturalist, Speaker and Author
How Plants Got Their Stripes: The Science of Variegated and Patterned Leaves
We all love the beautiful colors and patterns to be found in leaves from hostas to caladiums, but ever wondered how they come about? Joseph will share stories behind some familiar foliage plants that involve plants lying to insects, jumping genes, and mythical monsters. You’ll never look at your garden the same way again.
First Afternoon Session (12:30 PM – 1:30 PM)
Option D
Joseph Tychonievich, Horticulturalist, Speaker and Author
How Genetic Engineering Works: Understanding the Science, Not the Controversy
The debate over GMOs rages on hot and heavy, yet few people really understand what, precisely, genetic engineering is or how it works. This talk doesn't tell you what to think about GMOs, rather we delve into the mechanics of genetic engineering (which isn't as complex or confusing as you probably think) so you can really understand the issues and come to your own informed opinion on this important topic.
Option E
Sara Tillie Director, Cleveland Tree Coalition
Reforesting the Forest City
The Cleveland Tree Coalition is working together to restore the urban canopy in the City of Cleveland. By bringing together private, public, and non-profit partners, we are aligning efforts to leverage resources and ensure tree planting in neighborhoods that need it the most. During this talk, they will discuss their progress towards planting trees, empowering communities, supporting the workforce, and increasing their policy and advocacy efforts.
Option F
Janet Macunovich, Professional Gardener, Garden Designer and Author
Gardening for Hummingbirds and Butterflies
Life is beautiful, especially when it adds color to a landscape or garden in intriguing, moving ways. Janet Macunovich explains how to plant and tend your gardens to attract and support the “flying Flowers”: hummingbirds and butterflies.
Second Afternoon Session (2:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
Option G
Denise Ellsworth, Program Director, Pollinator Education, Ohio State Extension
Plant by Numbers: Growing Native Perennials to Attract Birds, Butterflies, Bees and Other Beneficials
Gardeners play a vital role in the development and conservation of habitat for pollinators and other creatures. Plant by Numbers is an OSU effort to promote native perennials to increase garden biodiversity. Six garden guides feature suggested plants, growing steps and sample garden designs. Themes include Bumble Bees, Specialist Bees, Butterflies & Moths, Hummers and Singers (for the Birds!), Good Garden Bugs and Shady Spaces. Participants will learn key plants and gardening practices to add life to the garden.
Option H
Matt Valencic, Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland and Director of Education for Nature in My Backyard
Let’s Get This Done: The Worst Invasives and How to Put an End to Them.
Matt will share many removal methods: digging, cutting and treating, or chemical application – and when to use which in the battle to defeat invasive plants that compete with natives.
Option I
Ann Rzepka Budziak, Senior Director of Arboretum Landscapes, Holden Forests and Gardens
Hot, Wet, Weird: Gardening in the Age of Climate Change
What does climate change mean for our gardens? Join Ann Rzepka Budziak for a thoughtful look at how shifting weather patterns are affecting our garden spaces. Ann will share how it is impacting our climate and wildlife and offer down-to-earth tips for adapting our gardening practices to meet the moment.
For more information or to register, follow this link:
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/4tafjqd?source_id=2d1227e8-a9a4-415e-8b89-852c02f5da15&source_type=em&c=hQK6Nmly6W1rVo4FVWMPtIY0OXLGCQQGq4CAX6Ind9m3N2tlUZ15bg==
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