Across Colorado, gardeners are saving water, supporting biodiversity and beautifying their yards with native plants. But what does it really mean to garden for pollinators and wildlife? In this two-session course, you will explore the growing “native plant” movement and how to be part of it.
In our first session, we’ll debunk common myths about pollinator-friendly gardening and discover why native plants are essential to local ecosystems. We’ll also review flowers, shrubs and trees you can add this spring to provide three seasons of blooms and year-round habitat. In our second session, we’ll dig deeper into landscaping practices that sustain the full life cycles of bees, butterflies and birds. Along the way, you’ll meet some of the common—and not so common—species you might encounter in your own garden. Time permitting, we’ll also discuss how to elevate your practices by participating in citizen-science projects that contribute to broader conservation efforts.
As both a gardener and sociologist, Jared Del Rosso believes that what we cultivate matters—to other species, our communities, and the future of biodiversity. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just beginning, you’ll come away with practical, inspiring strategies for creating a thriving, sustainable yard. While the course focuses on CO native plants, much of what it covers is adaptable to other places.
