Transform your garden into a pollinator-friendly, sustainable haven with Illinois Extension’s Native Landscape Design Drawing Workshop! This engaging two-part program is designed to help participants reimagine a defined garden area using native plants. By incorporating native species, attendees will learn how to create beautiful, eco-friendly spaces that support local pollinators and promote environmental sustainability.

The workshop begins with a virtual session on January 9 at 6:30 p.m. This online class will explore the vital role pollinators and native plants play in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Participants will receive step-by-step instructions for selecting and measuring their garden plots in preparation for the hands-on portion of the program. Participants are highly encouraged to attend this workshop before attending the second part, but a recording will be available for those unable to attend. Participants can also choose to attend only this session.

Part two of the program offers an in-depth, hands-on experience at an in-person session of the participant's choice. During these workshops, attendees will apply what they’ve learned to draft a personalized garden layout, select plants from curated palettes of native species, and develop a sustainable garden design tailored to their space. Participants are encouraged to bring measurements of their garden space to this session so they can lay out plants in a real-world design. A hypothetical design can also be developed in this session if a planting location has not been identified.  Basic drafting tools will be available for use during the workshop. 

The in-person sessions will be:

1. January 16, Danville Public Library, 319 N Vermilion St., Danville, IL 61832, 2-5 pm.
2. January 30, Champaign County Extension Office, 801 N Country Fair Dr., Champaign, IL, 61821, 2-5 pm.
3. February 6, Champaign County Extension Office, 801 N Country Fair Dr., Champaign, IL, 61821, 6:30-8:30 pm.
4. February 13, Vermilion County Extension Office, 3164 N Vermilion St., Danville, IL 61832, 6:30-8:30 pm.

Join us to create a garden that’s not only beautiful but also a vital resource for local wildlife!