A global decline in insects and three billion fewer birds in North America are a bleak reminder about how ineffective our current landscape designs have been at sustaining the plants and animals that sustain us. So, what can we do? Dr. Tallamy will discuss how to create landscapes that enhance local ecosystems rather than degrade them through the addition of native plant communities that sustain food webs, sequester carbon, maintain diverse native bee communities, and manage our watersheds.

Root 5 Family Farms and co-host Keep Henrico Beautiful are excited to announce the first annual Native Plant Festival. With the help of many partners and sponsors, we are excited to promote local organizations and businesses that educate and engage citizens about the importance of native plants. A special emphasis will also be placed on stormwater management and invasive species.