Discover the Blackland Prairie: Conservation in Action

Prairie Conservation & Restoration at the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center – $150

Management concepts, species of interest, and tips for adding your own bit of prairie at home

An overview of the Blackland Prairie ecosystem, the importance of our native prairie plants and their role in the foodweb, primary restoration practices for the BPRC prairie, important wildflowers and grasses, plant species of invasive concern, and tips and sources for growing more native plants at home in north Texas. (Approximately 30-40 minutes with time for Q&A)

Prairie Conservation At-Home Consultations – $250 for 1st hour, $50 for each additional half hour

For homeowners interested in starting a pocket prairie, conserving water or transitioning to a native plant landscape to support local pollinators, BPRC offers  1-hour at-home garden/landscape consultations with our conservation & restoration manager. Homeowners can receive personalized plant recommendations for your space, guidance on care and maintenance, and tips on replacing traditional, non-native plants with beneficial native alternatives. While this is not a design service and no written plan is produced, we can provide valuable insights on how to get started with a more sustainable, beneficial planting tailored to your personal space. 

Guided Seed Collecting Walks in the Prairie – $150 per hour

Backyard Habitats – $150

For both the experienced and new home gardener, this presentation outlines the essential elements of creating a healthy, welcoming environment for native species in your home garden. We will discuss why habitat gardening matters, the native ecosystems of Texas, key native plant species to include for a broad range of appeal, and basic landscape ecology principles that every home gardener can apply to their landscape in order to create valuable habitat for native species. With time for Q&A, this presentation is approximately 1 hour in length. 

Sustainable Landscaping – $150

This is a deeper dive into landscape design principles with a focus on sustainability, both in habitat creation and water conservation. We review both Texas and national ecoregions, how to create habitat and habitat layering in the home landscape, and key native plant species to include in your plan. This presentation also includes basic principles of landscape ecology and how these relate to the average suburban homeowner. This is a deeper dive into sustainable landscaping with real examples of north Texas landscapes that have been transformed with the intent of improving sustainability and water conservation. With time for Q&A, this presentation is approximately 1 hour in length. 

Designing Your Best Container Gardens – $150

Ideal for newer gardeners and those wishing to ‘up their game’ in creating striking container gardens, this is a review of design principles to elevate your container features. We cover container and plant selection, strategic combinations of color and texture, and creative additions to take your featured container gardens to the ‘next level.’ With time for Q&A, this presentation is approximately 30 minutes in length. 

Botanizing Across the Border – $150

This presentation introduces the audience to one of the most remarkable estate gardens in Texas, the John Fairey Garden (formerly Peckerwood Garden) in Hempstead, Texas, just outside of Houston. Now a project of Texas A&M University, the JF garden is a repository of many unique plant species collected over forty years of exploring the wilds of Mexico. While serving as the Garden Manager of the JF garden in 2003-2004, Cody had the opportunity to join the garden’s founder on a botanizing expedition in the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains of eastern central Mexico, and this presentation outlines this unique experience as well as introducing the audience to some of the unique plant species encountered on this trip. With Q&A, this presentation is approximately 45 minutes to an hour in length. 

Designing with Succulents – $150

Xeric and succulent plants are increasingly popular, and this presentation covers a variety of unique design features that showcase these low-maintenance species. We cover plant and container selections, popular species, simple propagation tips, and the how-to of several unique landscape, home and floral creations focused on succulent plants. With time for Q&A, this presentation is approximately 30-45 minutes in length. 

Vertical Gardens: Experiments and Inspiration in Growing UP – $150

For both new and experienced gardeners looking for a new concept in growing, this presentation covers a variety of approaches to vertical gardening, a unique way of utilizing space and plants. We review both commercial and home-made vertical gardening projects as well as different plant species to suit each design. This presentation includes real-life examples and step-by-step instructions as well as before and after pictures of spaces transformed by vertical planting designs. With time for Q&A, this presentation is approximately 30-45 minutes in length. 

Seasonality vs. Availability: A Behind-The-Scenes Look at How Plants Reach You – $150

Designed for experienced gardeners and avid customers of local garden centers, this presentation takes a detailed look at gardening trends, plant hybridization and commercial plant marketing. From the perspective of a GM of one of Dallas’s premier independent garden retailers, we will discuss the often misunderstood journey of how ‘new’ plants reach the market, the complexities of plant hybridization and development, and how plant buyers and retailers interact in this multi-billion dollar national industry. With time for Q&A, this deep-dive into the world of plants as a commercial product is approximately an hour in length. 

Garden Hardscape Design for Water Conservation – $150

This is an in-depth look at how utilizing non-living (hardscape) features in the landscape can lead to beautiful, sustainable environments that require less maintenance and water. We discuss the traditional landscapes of the average suburb, the history of lawns and turf grass, and why such features are increasingly outdated in the more modern, sustainability-focused approach. This presentation includes before-and-after photos of north Texas landscaping projects that transformed spaces into more beautiful, efficient and sustainable outdoor environments. With time for Q&A, this presentation is approximately 1-1.5 hours in length. 

Gardening Trends – $150

This simple and approachable presentation covers major trends in gardening over the last decade. Designed for experienced gardening enthusiasts, this discussion reviews major trends around plants, sustainability and garden retailers that have shaped the booming plant and gardening industry. With time for Q&A, this presentation is approximately 45 minutes in length.