|

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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
1:00pm
Mervin Wallace

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...
Read More
Mervin Wallace
1:30pm
Kenn Boyle

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...
Read More
Kenn Boyle
2:00pm
Will Metcalf

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...
Read More
Will Metcalf
2:00pm
Natasha Thomas-North

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...
Read More
Natasha Thomas-North
3:00pm
Heather Holm

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...
Read More
Heather Holm
3:00pm
Guy Sternberg

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...
Read More
Guy Sternberg
4:00pm
Julie Farstad

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...
Read More
Julie Farstad
4:00pm
Carl Stafford

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...
Read More
Carl Stafford
5:00pm
Roy Diblik

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,...
Read More
Roy Diblik
6:00pm
Shannon Currey

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...
Read More
Shannon Currey
7:00pm
Sarah Beier

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...
Read More
Sarah Beier
12:30pm
Neil Diboll

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...
Read More
Neil Diboll
1:00pm
Dan Shaw

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...
Read More
Dan Shaw
1:00pm
Cheryl Salatino

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...
Read More
Cheryl Salatino
6:30pm
Scott Woodbury

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...
Read More
Scott Woodbury