The Advocacy Power of Public Native Gardens

https://donate.wildones.org -- Public native gardens do more than beautify a space—they’re powerful tools for education, advocacy, and community engagement. In this webinar, Wild Ones explores how public demonstration gardens can shift perceptions, inspire action, and create lasting environmental change.

Join us as we hear case studies on how their public gardens are influencing local policies, engaging communities, and making native plants more accessible.

The program will feature:
Insights from Nicole Machuca, Environmental Social Scientist at the Field Museum, on how public gardens influence behaviors, foster stewardship, and connect people to conservation efforts through research and community engagement.
Case Studies from Wild Ones Chapters: The Wild Ones Capital Region NY and the Wild Ones San Diego (CA) Chapters will share their experiences building native plant demonstration gardens and how these spaces drive community engagement, education, and advocacy.
Panel Discussion: Kelly Capuzzi, Demonstration Garden Chair for the Wild Ones Hocking Hills (OH) Chapter, will lead a conversation with speakers exploring how demonstration gardens create lasting impact beyond planting day. Panelists will share strategies for public engagement, such as workshops, signage, citizen science programs, and more.

Topics covered:
🌿 How demonstration gardens challenge outdated landscaping norms
🌱 Practical strategies for creating and maintaining a public native garden
🦋 The role of signage, workshops, and partnerships in advocacy
🏡 How these gardens inspire homeowners, businesses, and municipalities

Thank you to Monarch Joint Venture and the U.S. Forest Service International Programs for supporting chapter projects featured in this webinar.
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