CHAMPAIGN, Ill – 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 held on the following dates and locations:
- January 16, Danville Public Library, 319 N Vermilion St., Danville, IL 61832, 2-5 pm.
- January 30, Champaign County Extension Office, 801 N Country Fair Dr., Champaign, IL, 61821, 2-5 pm.
- February 6, Champaign County Extension Office, 801 N Country Fair Dr., Champaign, IL, 61821, 6:30-8:30 pm.
- February 13, Vermilion County Extension Office, 3164 N Vermilion St., Danville, IL 61832, 6:30-8:30 pm.
This workshop is an excellent opportunity for gardeners of all skill levels to learn about the benefits of native plants while creating a garden design that is both practical and environmentally conscious. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. Register now at go.illinois.edu/NativeDesignWorkshop.
If you would like to become a Master Gardener or learn more about the Master Gardeners in Champaign or Vermilion Counties, visit go.illinois.edu/Join-MG or contact our office at 217-333-7672.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.