Sara Weaner Cooper

In April of 2022, Sara and Evan Cooper moved into their new home in a suburban Philadelphia neighborhood. After one spring and summer of consistently mowing their ~5,000 square foot front lawn, Sara eagerly initiated the process of transitioning the lawn into a native wildflower meadow. She wanted to avoid two things, however: herbicide and heavy physical labor. Leaving the turf in place, she began a turf-to-meadow conversion process that relied on actions that simultaneously weakened the lawn and strengthened her newly planted meadow. After two growing seasons, the results have exceeded expectations. Learn the practical steps they took, the successes and challenges they have so far encountered, and their plans for guiding the meadow to maturity.  

Category: Home Gardener

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Steven Handel, Ph.D., Hon. ASLA and Larry Weaner, FAPLD

Restoration ecologists are primarily concerned with advancing a strong biodiversity agenda. How their projects are perceived by visitors is generally not considered ecologically relevant. But restoration projects that elicit a positive public response are more likely to receive management resources, trigger project expansions, and even provide inspiration for restoration at other sites. Public “fear of nature” and dislike of a “wild” look are hurdles that can be overcome however, through plant arrangement, management protocols, path placements, and other moves that make “wildness” more legible to them. In this session Restoration Ecologist Steven Handel and Landscape Designer Larry Weaner will discuss how cross-pollination between these two disciplines can marry site ecology and visitor experience, to the benefit of both.

Category: Professional

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Pam Karlson

Pam will use her widely published Birds in the Garden: Creating & Enjoying a Bird Oasis to illustrate how, even in a densely populated area like urban Chicago, she has attracted over 100 bird species and a wide variety of pollinators. In addition to native plant selection, her presentation will delve deeply into lesser examined aspects of habitat creation including nesting requirements, dietary needs, migratory routes, and various other forms of supplemental support. She will also discuss how tapping into community science can refine your efforts, and help you interpret the results. Join us to learn how your home property can exemplify the ecological power of urban lots.

Category: Professional and Home Gardener

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Larry Weaner, FAPLD

Even on the smallest residential property, sharing garden decisions with nature changes everything. In this eye opening presentation, Larry will illustrate how an ecology-based, brains-over-brawn approach to home landscaping can reduce management needs, increase desirable wildlife habitat, and enhance the visual and intellectual experience of being in your yard.

FREE SESSION

Category: Home Gardener

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Stephanie Frischie (Upper Midwest & Spain), Eric Lee Mäder (Pacific NW) & Larry Weaner (Eastern U.S.)

Each speaker will discuss native meadow establishment techniques that are unique to their specific region, as well as the disturbed landscapes and invasive plants that they all commonly encounter. Our accomplished group of presenters will illustrate protocols for site analysis, plant selection, initial establishment, and management that optimize the competitive advantage of native meadow and prairie species. Finally, they will highlight the importance of understanding each site's native diversity potential, allowing practitioners to align their goals with what can actually be achieved. The program will conclude with a panel where all three presenters will compare notes, field questions and comments, and discuss new research that is affecting the future horizons of meadow restoration.

Category: Professional

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