Past Events

Virtual Presentations

March 20 9:00am-11:00am

• Plants in Our Parks- Nick Miller, City Horticulturist, Billings Parks and Recreation

Nick will be sharing regionally specific plants that have been utilized by the parks department. He will also include updates on current projects.

• Growing A Healthy Soil- Mike Choriki, Soil Scientists, B & C Ag Consulting

Learning to grow healthy soil is a key concept in sustainable gardening in the same location year after year. We look at the science of soil and how the soil's biology helps to maintain the soil's chemistry which keeps your plants healthy and producing. We also summarize the basic best practices of growing healthy soil with a focus on spring tasks

March 27 9:00am-11:00am

• Drama at Riverfront Park: Played by Invasive Buckthorn and Five Native Shrubs- Steven McConnell, City Forester, Billings Parks and Recreation

An overview on ecology of riparian cottonwood forests along unregulated rivers. Invasive Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) dramatically changes the ecology of these forests. Come learn about five common native shrubs in this ecosystem, their relation to Indigenous people, and their ecological role.

• Xeriscaping and You- Emilie Burditt, Billings Metro Vista Project, City of Billings' Community Development Division

In this detailed presentation, AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) Emilie Burditt takes you through the ins and outs of all things xeriscaping. Learn about saving money on your water bill, supporting the environment, and the seven steps to a successful – and sustainable – xeric garden.

In-Person Workshops

• Dendrology Identification- Steven McConnell, City Forester at Billings Parks and Recreation

Join Billings City Forester, Steve McConnell, for a jaunt around Norm's Island and Riverfront Park, while learning identification skills for our native trees and shrubs.

• : Composting- Cynthia Jessie, Songbird Community Garden

Join Songbird Community Gardens, Cynthia Jesse in this basic composting workshop. Learn how to keep the right balance in your compost and some beneficial best practices.

Sponsors: Land Design Inc., National Wildlife Federation

Steve McConnell - City Forester/ Natural Resources Supervisor

• Urban Parks: Why Wild is Wonderful

  • Learn about the City’s Urban Forestry Program and why pockets of “wild areas” are beneficial for everyone!

Ann McKean- Master Gardener

• A Pragmatic Look at the Importance of Reality of Growing Natives

  • Learn about how growing beneficial natives isn’t always a walk in the park.

Marietta Revickzky-Dolan- Master Gardener

• Creating a Waterwise Garden

  • Learn from an experienced Master Gardener her past present and future process of creating a wisewater garden.

Exhibit tables from Songbird Community Garden, Wendy at BLM, Bridger Plant Material, and Certified Backyard Habitat NWF

What was the raffle? Who won it?

2017 Native Plant Symposium

Sponsors: Special K Ranch, Blake Nursery, Second Nature Consulting, Mountain Meadows, Canyon Creek Nursery

9:30- 11 Workshops (participants choose 1 to attend)

Workshop 1: Native Plant Garden Design, Presented by Dwayne Bondy

• Get a jumpstart on next spring and begin planning your own native plant garden. Dwayne Bondy, plant expert and garden designer, will assist you in creating a special place for the birds, the bees, the butterflies, and you! No artistic license required!

Workshop 2: Growing Native Plants from Seed, Presented by Megan Poulette

• Learn some simple, quick techniques for handling seeds and planting native flowers in the fall.

Workshop 3: Patrick McCleary

11:10- 11:55 Afternoon Speaker: Sandra Abraham

Hear about how Sandi has turned her passion for native plants into a backyard project that has evolved and changed throughout the years, as she strives to recreate the natural environment in her own space.

12:00-12:45 Lunch

12:50- 1:40 Final Speaker: Brad Shoemaker

2016 Native Plant Symposium