Are you looking for someone to engage your audience with gardens in a new way?
Contact Daphne at growinggardenhabitats@gmail.com
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Botanic and Garden Talks
I am passionate about native plants, ecology, and learning all the really cool things that plants do, which largely go unnoticed by us. I have been photographing plants and pollinators for years and I use this unique catalog of photos in my talks. All of the photos on this website are mine (except for the one's I'm in, of course). Compared to other speakers, my focus is on native New England plant species, and the inclusion of relevant botanical and ecological science content to encourage a deeper appreciation for the natural things we see every day. As a trained educator, I strive to use hands-on experiences and physical examples whenever possible. I am available for public speaking programs that range from a short talk to a multi-hour workshop. The programs listed below have been delivered as workshops and presentations, as indicated. I welcome the opportunity to design a customized talk to address your group's interests. |
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Currently Available Presentations (1 hour, in-person or webinar)
Currently Available Workshop
- Habitat Gardening: An Ecological Approach to Nurturing Native Plants and Pollinators--This presentation introduces audiences to habitat gardening practices, which shifts gardens from being exclusively for humans to functional habitats for many species. Specific habitat gardening practices are discussed along with the benefits of using a native plant palette. Ecology-based gardens increase pollinator diversity and density while creating more dynamic, enjoyable gardens for us. Learn how you can make a difference!
- Selecting Native Plants for Home Gardens--This presentation covers basic garden design considerations, site preparation techniques that are ecologically sensitive, and a plant palette appropriate for homeowners in the Northeast. We focus on plants that can be planted in mass as lawn alternatives, and examples of pollinator garden designs for common growing conditions.
- Getting to Know Pollinators--This presentation explores the common families of insects likely to be seen in Northeastern gardens. We discuss how to support insects throughout their life cycle, since their needs vary vastly from juvenile to adult stages of development. The relationship between insect pollinators and plants, as well as other ecosystem roles insects fill--predators and herbivores--are presented using specific examples you can observe right at home.
- The Secret Lives of Orchids--This presentation shares the amazing and unique ways that orchids have adapted to life in the canopy, forest floor, rocky outcrops, and many other habitats worldwide (including Massachusetts!). We discuss what makes the orchid family unique from other plants—their seeds and relationship with fungi, their reproductive structures, how they make food, and their habitats around the world. Some of the most interesting pollination strategies exist in orchids, including deception, where flowers appear to provide opportunities for sex, food, or shelter. Orchids do this so convincingly that they are pollinated while animals get nothing in return.
Currently Available Workshop
- Transforming Your Yard into Habitat--This 2-hour in-person hands-on workshop walks participants through the process of assessing your yard for how well it provides wildlife food, water, cover and nesting resources; identification of common invasive plants to remove; and provides time for individualized consultation about your own garden and opportunities to provide more insect pollinator and bird habitat.
