April is Earth Month AND Native Plant Month so what better way to celebrate than with a Native Tree Symposium! Over 135 attendees first enjoyed early morning tours of the Jay Estate Gardens and our native pollinator room, one of the largest native plantings in Rye and Westchester County. Renowned entomologist, bestselling author of Bringing Nature Home and Homegrown National Park Founder Doug Tallamy gave a riveting presentation about the immeasurable impact of planting natives and removing invasive species. It was his third time speaking at JHC.
There were so many takeaways. For beginning gardeners, Doug recommended three simple plants that provide enormous benefits to wildlife: sunflowers, asters and goldenrod. A panel of healthy yard experts moderated by Elizabeth Poyet and organized by Tracy Stora also shared their expertise afterwards. Thank you Ecobeneficial, Larchmont Mamaroneck Pollinator Pathway, Saw Mill River Audubon, Save the Sound and Jeff’s Organic Ways and Means for adding their voices to the day. Visitors also loved browsing live plants and wares from green vendors like Green Blossom Painting.
The event was cosponsored by the City of Rye Sustainability Committee and Larchmont Mamaroneck Pollinator Pathway. Funding was generously provided by Con Edison and lunch for the panelists was donated by Monty Gerrrish and Milton Point Provisions. Attendees in the audience included volunteers from The Little Garden Club of Rye and The Rye Garden Club. Thank you to Kim Crichlow for capturing all the green energy! Watch the video of Doug’s talk here.
Watch the video of afternoon panelists here.
Feedback from attendees:
I am writing to say thank you for putting on such a great event. Doug Tallamy was an excellent speaker who totally knew his material and it was clear from his talk that he walked his talk. I think that is what made this event so special: the ideas Doug Tallamy was talking about were things that the Jay Heritage Center is actually doing in its own gardens, such as planting native species. People could see the ideas in action. Too many environmental events talk about the problems and are very short on solutions. Your event had solutions that people can actually do in their own yard without waiting for a government solution. Furthermore, and something I thought was really well thought out, you had local organizations at the event. People could speak to these organizations and hear about what is being done locally and not feel like a solution is “somewhere out there.” It’s local. That is huge, because too often some people have no idea where to begin or what they can do. I wish you and the Jay Heritage Center well and I look forward to attending more events. Thank you again and I just wanted to let you and the Center know what a great job you did and that it is appreciated. – Jennifer Goodman
