Planning, Planting and Maintaining your Native Garden
—Ask the Professionals
Monday, April 17th, 2023
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm (Eastern Time)
Bunker Interpretive Center – Calvin University, 1750 E Beltline Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546 Map
- Public Welcome
- Free Event
- Chapter Meeting Program/Speaker Presentation
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Public Restroom
- Drinking Fountains
- Free Public Parking
Presented by: Amy Heilman, Rebecca Marquardt, and Alysia Babcock
The three presenters are landscape professionals and Wild Ones members. They will utilize a typical residential garden design to discuss considerations when planning, implementing and maintaining a garden composed of native plant species. Participants will have ample opportunity to ask questions or state problems/issues they may have on their own properties. Presenters will use these inputs to provide answers and discuss solutions.
Presenter Biographies:
Amy Heilman is a certified landscape designer and has been planning and implementing sustainable gardens for over 20 years. Her business, The Living Garden, refers to the ecologic life that can be brought to any garden space with the presence of appropriate native plant species. Amy’s goal is to encourage property owners to take an active role in the planning and care of their gardens and to use these spaces to learn about the natural world and the web of life they support.
Rebecca Marquardt owns Revery, a design and consulting firm that offers guidance to educational institutions, homeowners, and corporations on projects ranging from small gardens to master plans. Whether collaborating with architects and engineers on design or implementing an idea with contractors and individuals, the goal of ecologically driven, beautifully crafted landscapes can be successfully achieved.
Alysia G. Babcock is a Conservation Steward, Master Naturalist and Advanced Master Gardener. She has volunteered on The Kal-Haven Trail with the Wildflower Restoration Project and with Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy removing invasive plants. Many days were spent walking trails, botanizing with other Native Plant Enthusiasts. More recently she is part of a newly formed Strike Team with Rockford Sustainability Committee. Alysia is the owner of The Garden Guru Kzoo, LLC (garden design/implementation/maintenance, invasive removal, garden makeovers, specializing in native plants) and has a Native Plant Nursery. Last year the business expanded and has a crew in the Rockford/Grand Rapids area.