Chapter Events

In this special collaboration, Robin Wall Kimmerer, author, botanist, and founder of Plant Baby Plant, joins youth leader and Nurture Natives founder Esther Bonney for an intergenerational conversation about belonging, reciprocity, and native plant action. 

Together, they will explore questions such as:

How do we create opportunities for young people to have a voice and feel empowered, even when they are not homeowners or decision makers?What kinds of relationships and mentorships help people stay engaged in native plant work over decades?Why do stories, shared practices, and community invitations matter just as much as plant lists?

Robin and Esther will reflect on what invites people into this work, what keeps them here, and what elders and youth have to teach each other.

February's chapter meeting will feature a speaker from the Blue Ridge Soil and Water Conservation District about the work they do as part of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. We will also be hearing about the VCAP Program, which is a program for homeowners who are interested in conserving water in your landscape (e.g. rain gardens or rain water harvesting), promoting wildlife habitat (i.e. added vegetation to aid in infiltration can also create spaces for wildlife), reduce surface water pollution, among other benefits. Plus, through the VCAP Program your project may be eligible for financial aid. 

From the SWCD website: "The Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP) is an urban cost-share program that provides financial incentives and technical and educational assistance to property owners installing eligible Best Management Practices (BMPs) in Virginia’s participating Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs).

These practices can be installed in areas of your yard where problems like erosion, poor drainage, or poor vegetation occur. Qualified sites shall be used for residential, commercial, or recreational purposes with a proposed practice that addresses a need."

More information about the VCAP Program and the Blue Ridge SWCD in the link below.

We hope to see you there!

Details coming soon!  

Deer? Oh Dear: Coping with out Furry Frenemies and Rascally Rabbits

Sharon Burnham gives her talk on what to do and what to think about when it comes to wildlife in the garden. 

Learn how to compost at home with Star City Compost! 

Star City Compost officially opened their doors as Roanoke's only composting facility in January 2024. Star City Compost provides residential and commercial services for composting responsibly, so food scraps stay out of the landfill and instead become nutrient-rich soil. With their strong mission, values and community building rooted long before that, the vision of creating an ecological infrastructure for the local community has come to life in the greater Roanoke area. 

Come prepared to learn and ask questions, whether you're new to composting, a seasoned composter, or even new to the idea of composting, we are luck to have Star City Compost's wealth of knowledge with us.

We hope to see you there!

Details coming soon! 

Learn best practices on tool care and sharpening before the busy season!

Learn propagation techniques from Ian Caton, owner of Wood Thrush Native Nursery and a local legend in the native plant world, located just down Hwy 221 in Floyd, VA. If you're not sure where you've heard of Ian before, check your Plant Virginia Natives SWVA guide - he has contributed to the first iteration of the guide and some of the great photos of native plants come from his observations.

Ian will be sharing what he knows about propagating native plants using cuttings, and we can't wait to learn how to multiply our native garden favorites for future seasons.

Read a little about Ian here, or check out Wood Thrush Natives's website.

https://www.lwladesign.com/people/ian-caton/

https://woodthrushnatives.com/

This is the educational Part I of a two-part program on identifying native trees and shrubs, with Professor Heather Butler of Virginia Western Community College, Biology program head and committee chair of the Bee Campus Committee. 

Part II will include a field walk to practice these identification skills and techniques, location, date and time TBD. 

More information coming soon!

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon!