PROGRAM

2023 KEYNOTE & LUNCHEON SPEAKERS

DESIREE NARANGO, PhD.

Dr. Narango is a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Massachusettes-Amherst. Her current research explores how urbanization and tree communities shape habitat use and quality for migratory birds en route.

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NEIL DIBOLL

Neil Diboll is a pioneer in the native plant industry and recognized internationally as an expert in native plant ecology. Diboll released his newest book, the Gardener’s Guide to Prairie Plants, in March 2023.

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ROY DIBLIK

Roy Diblik is an American perennial garden designer, plant nurseryman, and author of The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden. He co-owns the Northwind Perennial Farm in Burlington, Wisconsin and has been involved in many high-profile garden designs over the years.

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HOTELS

Marriott – Country Club Plaza

4445 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64111
$149/ night (1 king or 2 queen)
Free shuttle service available to and from the conference center.
Hotel Parking: $25/night

Link to Reserve: Book your group rate for Plan It Native Conference
Book by January 24th to get the conference rate. Rate applicable for Wednesday, February 14th and Thursday, February 15th (check out Friday morning)

Residence Inn – Country Club Plaza

4601 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64112
$159/night (1 queen + sofa bed)**
Complimentary hotel parking. No conference shuttle (parking is available at the conference center.)
Link to Reserve: Book your group rate for Deep Roots KC
Book by January 17th to get the conference rate. Rate applicable Wednesday, February 14th through Friday February 16th (check out Saturday morning)**

PROGRAM

Coming soon! More details on these speakers’ sessions plus additional sessions with speakers that will include Alan Branhagan, Desiree Narango and Dan Shaw.

Plan It Native 2024

Cultivating Bird Conservation at Home: Simple Actions for Every Season

Several recent headlines have revealed alarming declines in bird species around the globe—but what can we do to help? The green spaces in our yards and gardens can provide one...
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Desiree Narango , PhD.

Managing for Native Biodiversity: Fire, Weeds and Seeds

Hear what it takes to manage multiple habitat types over the course of an entire year with a focus on seed collection, invasive species control, prescribed fire and how empowering...
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Mike Saxton

Creating and Maintaining Successful Small Landscapes and Container Gardens

Mervin will help you to: • Understand why plants wilt when you move them and how to prevent wilting, • Why it’s okay that the lower leaves die on some...
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Mervin Wallace

Informed Plant Selection to Support Pollinators and Songbirds

The plant species you select for your garden is a critical decision influencing whether wildlife can thrive. In this talk, Dr. Desiree L. Narango will discuss her research evaluating which...
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Desiree Narango , PhD.

Fox House: A Case Study of Turf to Native Garden

Located in the heart of Kansas City, the Fox House boasts native gardens rich with blooms and biodiversity. Starting with the demolition of his lawn in 2020, Kenn has documented...
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Kenn Boyle

Evaluating Landscape Performance and Telling Stories with Data

We are in the midst of a biodiversity crisis. The built environment sector is a leading threat to global biodiversity while simultaneously depending on the ecosystem services provided by an...
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Will Metcalf

Commercial Native Plant Production: Processes and Challenges

This presentation will provide the audience with an overview of the processes of propagating native plants, systems for maintaining large numbers of different crops, and the logistics involved in shipping...
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Natasha Thomas-North

Creating and Managing Landscapes for Native Bees

When creating and managing thriving habitats for native bees, many factors such as seasonal phenology, nesting strategies, and flower preferences must be considered—and with approximately 3,600 species in North America...
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Heather Holm

Native Trees in a Changing Climate

Virtually all scientists now agree that our climate is becoming increasingly unstable. How will this affect our most treasured and permanent landscape plants – our trees? Why should we be...
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Guy Sternberg

Flowers for Marlborough

Julie Farstad is a Professor of Painting at the Kansas City Art Institute. She is the artist behind the public art project, Flowers for Marlborough, as well as the creator...
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Julie Farstad

Working at the Intersection of Arts, Nature, and Neighborhoods

Learning about native landscaping has helped with the understanding of how to address storm water runoff and future water insecurities have been discovered, and ecosystem restoration has begun. MRW! programs...
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Carl Stafford

Perennial Plant Communities: “The Know Maintenance Approach”

Roy’s thoughtful way to design perennial plantings welcomes fresh contemporary styles and plant diversity integrated with responsible stewardship concerns. By using a selection of regionally dependable perennials and native plants,...
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Roy Diblik

Foundations, Fillers, and Flourishes: Native Sedges for Every Garden

Native sedges are garnering attention for their versatility and ecological impact in the landscape. These herbaceous perennials—primarily in the genus Carex—shine as alternatives to mulch, turfgrass, and aggressive groundcovers, especially...
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Shannon Currey

Biodiverse Beauty: Keystone Species in Garden Design

Do your garden plans include plenty of keystone plant species? If not, they should! These remarkable native plants play a crucial role in supporting the web of life. Learn how...
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Sarah Beier

Genetic Diversity and Plant Preservation

The fields of agriculture, silviculture, and horticulture have historically focused on selecting “superior” plants to serve the needs of food production, lumber and fiber production, and the human fascination with...
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Neil Diboll

Lawns to Legumes

Lawns to Legumes is a state funded initiative in Minnesota started in 2019 to support declining pollinator populations. The program was designed to build a statewide movement to engage residents...
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Kirsten Theye
Dan Shaw

Learn the Land: a Fresh Approach to Site Analysis

Understanding the land on which we will interject our ideas offers the very information needed to make ecologically sound design choices. How we arrive at this understanding goes well beyond...
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Cheryl Salatino

Nativars Now and Then: Their History, Use, and Folly

Cultivars of native plants (nativars) have been gracing gardens in Europe and North America for over a century. Though many have developed since 1950, their popularity has soared in recent...
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Scott Woodbury