Sedona AZ (February 10, 2016) – Springtime will bring the Native Plant Workshop to Sedona on Saturday, April 2, from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm. Doors open at 7:45 am.
Sponsored by Keep Sedona Beautiful, the popular program will cover topics ranging from insect ecosystems to tree care and self-watering landscapes, with how-to sessions. It will be held at the West Sedona School, 570 Posse Ground Road. Advance tickets are $25 for KSB members and $35 for the general public. Tickets purchased at the event are $35 for KSB members and $45 for the general public. Admission includes two keynote speakers, two presentations out of six topics, breakfast savories, lunch, and a silent auction.
The workshop will launch with a keynote by avian ecologist Dena Greenwood. In “The Ecological Interrelationships between Insects and Birds in Your Garden”, she will explore the link between native plant species and native wildlife including insects, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds – notably the way plants transform the energy of the sun into protein and fat via insects, which are critical for the success of all other species. “Our local insects still prefer to feed primarily on native plants,” she said. “Without these native plants, the insects cannot survive. Without the insects, migratory and resident bird populations would become extinct.”
Greenwood began her birding adventures 25 years ago as an Arizona State Parks ranger and still guides birding field trips throughout the Southwest, including Sedona. Her graduate degree in environmental biology provided the foundation for her to conduct bird research for the Colorado Plateau Research Station, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Forest Service. A board member for the Northern Arizona Audubon Society and a co-founder of the Verde Valley Bird and Nature Festival, she currently manages Jay’s Bird Barn in Sedona.
The second keynote will be offered by Jeff Schalau, County Agent for the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension in Yavapai County. He is also a former recipient of KSB’s Herkenham Award, which recognizes support for native plant landscaping. A speaker at nearly 20 KSB Native Plant Workshops, he will discuss “Native and Drought-Adapted Trees: Best Practices for Success.” “Residential trees,” he said, “can make a big difference in our social lives, our environmental quality, and the economic health of our communities. By choosing the right ones for our location, planting them correctly, and providing good maintenance, we can improve tree health and longevity.”
In addition to the two keynotes, the program offers six one-hour presentations given twice, so participants can choose one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Keep Sedona Beautiful, Inc., acting through the stewardship of its members and volunteers, is committed to protect and sustain the unique scenic beauty and natural environment of the Greater Sedona area. For more information call the KSB office at 928-282-4938, email info@keepsedonabeautiful.org, or visit the website at .
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