Natives Rule! Converting your space into a bird sanctuary

Join three native landscaping experts and view a Flathead Audubon produced video about how plants and animals become “native”, and how intricately woven the millions of relationships between natives form the balance of nature – especially those relationships between plants, insects, and birds. Popcorn optional!

Learn how to create a native plant garden and protect local waterways. The Flathead Rain Garden Initiative provides information, resources, and tools to help Flathead County residents create these beautiful and beneficial gardens. Rain gardens help filter and conserve water and attract native pollinators.

Jessie Walthers is the Conservation Program Manager at Flathead Conservation District. She loves working with people of all ages to explore and celebrate our amazing natural resources in Flathead County. Landscape and/or garden is an easy way to boost your land’s sustainability,

improve pollinator and bird habitat and maintain soil health. Jessie will discuss how to plan for success when planting natives. This includes mapping out where to plant your natives, what care they need and other tips and tricks.

Mackenzie Dey has her bachelor’s in botany and master’s in plant science. She is the MSU Agriculture Extension Agent and loves helping producers to home gardeners increase their sustainability in their practices and increase their knowledge to succeed. She has an affinity for the outdoors and for the fantastic flora that beautifies it.

Kathy Ross is a volunteer naturalist, native habitat advocate, and consultant. She has 30+ years of landscape/gardening experience in the valley working in and around native habitats. She has worked extensively with native plants as well as non-native introductions and experienced their impact on the environment. Kathy will share valuable suggestions that will help you make good choices to support birds and all biodiversity in your landscapes, and also suggest a few of the best plants for this purpose. As native habitats disappear around us every day, never doubt that your landscape can make a difference!