The series is called “Building a Better Backyard: Bringing Your Yard to Life.” This is an online speaker series hosted on Zoom in which folks have been invited to talk about a host of topics that connect people with the wildlife and environment around us. Recordings will be edited and posted on our YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/c/VanBurenCD after the week of live presentations. 

Each day (Monday through Friday) at 2:00 PM, one of our engaging speakers will cover a topic that will help you further transform your yard into a haven with the environment in mind. Topics include: native plant and nativar differences, the importance of bees, pest management, edible mushrooms, and permaculture. 

The schedule is as follows: 

• Monday, Feb. 14 | Abigale Bristol (Strike Team Coordinator, SWxSW Corner CISMA) | “Natives and Nativars: Exploring the Difference”
• Tuesday, Feb. 15 | Charlotte Hubbarb (KVCC Professor & President of the Kalamazoo Bee Club) | “BeeYond the Bees' Knees”
• Wednesday, Feb. 16 | Chris Imler (Horticulture Educator, MSU Extension) | “Don’t Spray, Let The Insects Prey!”
• Thursday, Feb. 17 | Christopher Swinnson (Mycophile’s Garden) | “Introduction to the Mushrooms of Michigan”
• Friday, Feb. 18 | Garrett Heator (Trees and Teas Permaculture) | “Introduction to Permaculture”

Register here!