Habitat Heroes – Native Plant Workshop

Interested guests are invited to join us for an Introduction to Designing with Native Plants—a beginner-friendly workshop where you’ll learn how to create a sustainable, low-maintenance landscape that supports local wildlife and thrives in the Hampton Roads environment.

In This Workshop, You Will Learn:

• The benefits of using native plants in your garden,
• How to assess your landscape and choose the right plants,
• Design principles to create a beautiful and functional garden,
• Tips for sustainable gardening practices.
• Handouts will be provided to take home and reinforce what you learn.

Bonus! Take home a native plant to add to your landscape!

Details:

Where: Virginia Zoo’s World of Reptiles Classroom. Program participants will meet in front of the Zoo 10 minutes before class start time.
When:
🌿 3/31 – 6pm
🌿 4/19 – 1pm
🌿 5/12 – 6pm

Why Attend?

Whether you’re starting from scratch or enhancing an existing garden, this workshop will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to design a landscape that’s both beautiful and environmentally friendly.

Cost:

This workshop costs $5 per person. Registration is required.

Please note: This workshop is designed with adult learners in mind. The content may be more advanced than what younger participants typically engage with, and seating is limited to a total capacity of 20 people. We encourage families to use their own judgment about whether the material will be a good fit for their children when purchasing them a ticket.

If you sign up and are no longer able to attend, please let us know so that we can open the spot to another. Space is limited. Sign up now to secure your place and begin your journey towards being a wildlife Habitat Hero!

Course Instructor: Trista Imrich is the owner and fearless leader of Wild Works of Whimsy and Southern Branch Nursery. A Navy veteran (Surface Warfare Officer), this Ohio native has a Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Management and brings her unique perspective on landscape design and native planting to Hampton Roads. Trista has extensive experience with the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP), Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA) requirements, and mitigation projects, including living shorelines, rain gardens, infiltration trenches, and conservation landscaping. She is a Virginia Certified Horticulturist (VCH), a Designer (VSLD-certified), and a Level 2 Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional in design and installation (CBLP-ID). Trista contributed to creating and editing the “Native Plants for Southeast Virginia” guide and is an active advocate for sustainable practices in the region. She frequently speaks at events, garden clubs, and community groups, sharing her passion for native plants and practical insights into sustainable landscaping.