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Conserve Louisiana’s Natural Heritage: Grow a Louisiana Certified Habitat

Wednesday, May 26 2021

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Conserve Louisiana’s Natural Heritage: Grow a Louisiana Certified Habitat

Featuring Phyllis Griffard and Tammany Baumgarten ~ May 26, 2021, 6:30pm

Louisiana Certified Habitat Sign in gardenHabitat loss from development and agriculture makes conservation on private property more critical than ever. What you do on your property does matter! In partnership with the Louisiana Native Plant Society, Phyllis Griffard and Tammany Baumgarten developed the Louisiana Habitat Certification Program (LCH) to encourage homeowners, schools, and organizations to plant more natives. The program’s emphasis is the importance of "gardening as though life depends on it" (Dr. Doug Tallamy). Certification begins at the Bronze Level with 25 species of native plants, increasing to Silver with 50 species, and Gold with 75 species. Once approved at any level you will receive a yard sign that will set an example and inspire others in your community to garden with wildlife in mind. Phyllis and Tammany will walk you through the logistics of the application process and a virtual tour of diverse, inspiring certified gardens.

Tammany Baumgarten

Tammany Baumgarten is a licensed Landscape Horticulturist and owner of BaumGardens, a full-service landscaping company serving the New Orleans area since 1997. Tammany has a keen interest in creating habitat and is an intense advocate of native gardens but applies these principles with a practicality suited to the needs of each client and space. Tammany is heavily involved with horticultural and ecological organizations. She also continues to study landscape diversity and ecological function to apply those principles to her designs.

Phyllis Griffard

Dr. Phyllis Baudoin Griffard is a biology educator recently retired from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Her scholarly work has aimed to Bring Biology Home by making experiences of nature meaningful for lifelong learners. Phyllis has served as President of the Acadiana Native Plant Project and currently serves as Interim President of Acadiana Master Naturalists. Phyllis, Pete, and hundreds of species of birds, insects, herps, and mammals live on 7 acres of gold-certified habitat in Sunset, Louisiana.

Changing to Native Plant Gardening
Tips, lessons, and secrets to get started!

CEU’s for master gardeners and landscape architects!

Due to COVID-19, Hilltop’s Annual 2021 Symposium has been transformed into a series of four monthly lectures online that you can enjoy in the comfort of your home. Last year’s symposium featured Dr. Doug Tallamy, Linda Auld, and Bill Fontenot, who shared compelling scientific research about why your garden should have native plants. The problem is how to get started in the process and how to use native plants that adapt to a traditional residential, commercial, or public garden. To help with the first step, Hilltop is featuring five experts, Sean Brian Early, Jimmy Culpepper, Rick Webb, Phyllis Griffard, and Tammany Baumgarten, who will share practical, hands-on experience with the transition of your garden to one that is more abundant with native plants to attract more wildlife and appeal to more people. After introducing more natives to your garden, we encourage you to have it designated as a Louisiana Certified Habitat Garden, a new program sponsored by the Louisiana Native Plant Society. Certification begins at the Bronze Level with 25 species of native plants, increasing to Silver with 50 species, and Gold with 75 species. These programs would not have been possible without the generosity and talent of videographer Erin Bryan, a Hilltop volunteer, and Louisiana Master Naturalist of Greater Baton Rouge.

The online registration fee for each program is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. You will receive a link to the video via email in the morning on the date of the program. Members of the Friends of Hilltop Arboretum at the $500 level and above will receive the programs free as a perk of their membership. Not sure of your membership status? Contact Hilltop and we will be happy to check it for you.

6:30pm - 7:30pm
CE

Contact the event organizers: Volunteer & Continuing Education Committee