Join us to discover Rhode Island’s native plants and pollinators as we explore the ecology of gardens. We’ll study local plant communities and the wildlife that is dependent on them. We’ll discuss practical, ecological gardening techniques to support these vital species and their natural habitats. We will talk about soil science & “lasagna gardening,” biodiversity & leaving the leaves, habitat creation & plant predation, and how they are all interrelated.

Format: Classroom presentations with Q&A and field studies in several garden settings. (Dress for walking, weather.) Participants will be asked to review a chapter of our book and share with colleagues.

Resources/Expenses: Essential Guide to Ecological Gardening, American Horticultural Society, 2026, available as low as $14.19 at Abe Books, used. Suggested reading before the semester begins: Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens, 2009 by Douglas Tallamy which is available as low as $4.36, used from Abe Books.

Coordinators: RI Wild Plant Society Members Tysh Tilt McGrail and Terry Meyer: Tysh is an ecological landscape designer and certified RI horticulturalist. Terry is a gardener with a passion for pollinators who volunteers her time at the Audubon Society of RI and RI Wild Plant Society.