This program focuses on a mix of owls, hawks and falcons and their highly specialized hunting techniques and physical adaptations that make them successful. Rob Hults will present 4-5 of resident native raptors as education ambassadors for the sanctuary.

It’s springtime and the plants are waking up to greet the sun. Explore the environs of the Kress Pavilion and discover all the useful plants and herbs that can be used for food and medicine. The best herbs to use are the ones that are in your yard or neighborhood. Dave has been learning, using, and teaching about herbs for over 40 years. Join him to learn about the many way herbs can be used for good health.

Tom Wolfe – Owner, Wolfe Horticulture, Wisconsin Master Naturalist
You’ve heard the term “invasive plants” but have you heard “introduced species”? Tom will give an overview of green plant physiology, woody plants and take a deep dive into the importance of planting native woody plants over introduced species and exotics. With over 33 years as the Head Gardener/Horticulturist at The Art Institute of Chicago, he will share proper planting techniques and after care to ensure success.

Presented by Kathy Navis – Greens-N-Grains

Did you know that 30-40% of food produced in the USA ends up in the landfill? Why and what you can do to help. And, there are new and exciting innovations in cleaning products namely laundry detergents, shampoos, etc that are eliminating the plastic bottles- we will look at some of the new alternatives.

Many gardeners in Door County have shady yards. This talk will discuss how to grow in shady areas. We will also cover how build a a tiered garden with trees and shrubs. The benefits of using a layered garden include: cultivating a diversity of plants and habitat for wildlife and for building robust healthy soil. Why do this? We can grow our own greens for salads and cut our high-carbon footprint greens for most of the year. What grows well in shady areas— wide leaves, great for salads: so many different kinds! Grow greens in an environment where carbon is sequestered. We will talk about plants that grow at every layer of the garden: herbaceous plants, annuals, to native and fruit bearing shrubs and trees. We also will cover techniques for managing this kind of garden including pruning and how to add carbon back to garden.

Presented by Russell Rolffs, President and Farmer, Gathering Ground, Washington Island