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Upcoming Events

    PIEDMONT MASTER GARDENERS
    “Garden Basics” Virtual Workshop via ZOOM – FREE
    Saturday, February 20
    2:00-3:30 PM

    “Starting Plants from Seeds.”

    Learn basic seed-starting techniques for vegetables and flowers, and how to care for seedlings once seeds have germinated. Register on PMG’s Events webpage by February 15. An invitation for this Zoom presentation will be sent to your email address on the morning of February 20th.

    Other Upcoming Garden Basics Workshops, Saturdays, 2:00-3:30 pm, via Zoom:
    March 20, “Starting a Vegetable Garden”
    April 17, “Herb Gardening: Tips on Growing & Design”
    May 15, “Tomatoes and Tomato Diseases”

    See the PMG Events Webpage to register.

    PIEDMONT MASTER GARDENERS
    SPRING LECTURE SERIES 2021 – VIRTUAL AND FREE
    THURSDAYS IN MARCH

    Take advantage of these free educational opportunities just in time for spring! Check the Piedmont Master Gardeners Events Webpage for more information, and to register.

     

     

    CHARLOTTESVILLE AREA TREE STEWARDS
    Free Classes via ZOOM Announced for first half of 2021

    Registrations are now open for the February class. Further information on additional classes will be available nearer the time.  These Virtual classes are free, but if you would like to attend, we ask that you register through the links below. After you register, you will receive an email with a Zoom link a few days before the class.

    “Tree Basics Class: Tree Identification by Season: Winter”
    Tuesday, February 9
    7:00-8:30 PM

    Throughout the winter season the underlying tree architecture is revealed, providing us with an opportunity to focus on the fundamentals of tree ID. Join us for an evening to learn some key characteristics to identifying trees throughout the year. Emily Ferguson, a Tree Steward, will discuss bark, branching patterns, and more. Click link to register: https://forms.gle/9HuCoqobciMFaF5k9

    ADDITIONAL CLASSES

    • “Select, Plant and Care for Trees,” Saturday, March 20, 2:00 – 4:00 PM, Register here
    • “Identify Trees in Spring,” Tuesday, April 13,  7:00 – 8:30 PM, Register here
    • “Identify and Control Non-native Invasive Plants,” Sunday, May 23, 2:00-4:00 PM
    • “Identify Trees in Summer,” Tuesday, June 15, 7:00-8:30 PM

    See this link for information on when May and June class registration begins.

    CITIZEN’S CLIMATE EDUCATION
    “Soil Regeneration and Sustainable Agriculture” FREE via Zoom
    Thursday, February 4
    6:30-8:00 PM

    This free virtual forum will discuss the importance of regenerative soil practices in agriculture focusing on soil health to produce better food and to help mitigate climate change. See this link for move information and to register.

    ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE ALLIANCE
    “Focus on Sustainability”
    February Webinars

    This webinar series is geared to landscape professionals, land managers, garden enthusiasts, and anyone who stewards the land. The series is presented through collaboration of the Ecological Landscape Alliance (ELA), the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council (CCLC), ReScape, DeepRoots Kansas City, and the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). Interactive webinars are taught by experts from across the country and cover a wide range topics relevant to sustainable landscapes. Additional webinars are being scheduled; please check back often for an updated list of offerings.

    Wednesday, February 3 – “American Oaks – Diversity, Ecology, and Identification”
    Monday, February 8 – “Regenerative Design – How Living in Agreement with Nature Helps Organizations Thrive”
    Wednesday, February 10 – “Oak Red-List Project – Main Threats to Oaks and Saving Oaks from Extinction”
    Wednesday, March 31 – “Foliage & Focal Points: Ideas for Budgets and Gardens of All Sizes”

    See this link for information on Ecological Landscape Alliance, membership info, webinar descriptions, times, and fees.

    VIRGINIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
    POWTOWMACK CHAPTER
    “Life in Your Wild Garden” with Laura Beaty via Zoom, FREE
    Thursday, February 11
    7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

    See this link for more information and to register.

    GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT
    The Cornell Lab/Audubon/Birds Canada
    Friday-Monday, February 12-15

    Each year people from around the world come together to watch, learn about, count, and celebrate birds. All you need is a free Cornell Lab account to participate. This account is shared with Merlin, eBird, Project FeederWatch and other projects at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Please see this link for information on how to participate, and how to register your backyard bird count. Be a part of something BIGGER!

    VIRGINIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
    PRINCE WILLIAM WILDFLOWER SOCIETY
    “The Pollinator Victory Garden” with Kim Eierman via Zoom, FREE
    Sunday, February 21
    2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

    See this link for more information and to register.

    VIRGINIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
    ANNUAL WORKSHOP VIA ZOOM in TWO PARTS – -FREE
    “Earth’s Climate: Present, Past, and Future”

    Enjoy two evening workshops, March 2 and March 9, and find out how both the present and the past can inform our understanding of climate and climate change.

    Tuesday, March 2 (Part 1)
    Tuesday, March 9 (Part 2)

    Zoom Meet & Greet, Welcome and Introduction 5:30 PM each evening, followed by two presentations, one at 6:00 PM, and one at 7:00 PM. See this link for program descriptions, and to register.

    VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
    LOUDON COUNTY EXTENSION MASTER GARDENERS
    11th ANNUAL GARDENING SYMPOSIUM – VIRTUAL
    “PLANT, NURTURE, GROW”
    Saturday, March 20
    9:00 AM – 3:15 PM

    Please see this link for a full program description, registration, and fee information. REGISTRATION OPENS ON FEBRUARY 1. There is a limited number of spots for this virtual event. Registrants who are not able to attend on March 20 will have access to a recording of the speakers at any time until the end of March.

    VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION FREE ZOOM PRESENTATION
    “How to Have the Best Lawn in the Neighborhood”
    Monday, February 22
    7:00 – 8:00 PM

    Master Gardeners get a lot of questions about lawns. Now is the time to “bone up” on your turf grass knowledge. Adam Nichols, Research Manger for Turfgrass and Weed Science at the Hampton Road Agricultural Research State, will focus on how to establish and maintain your lawn. The presentation will be on Zoom and is free and open to the public. You do not need to register for this event. Use this Zoom link to attend the event: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/89365867543

    VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (VAEE)
    “Seasons Through Virginia’s Regions”
    VIRTUAL Mini Conference Series

    Attend one or all of the virtual mini conferences to be held on February 20, July 17, and October 23. Registration for the February 20 event is open until February 15. See this link for more information on session, fees, and to register.

    GREENSPACE SYMPOSIUM – LIVE ZOOM EVENT
    “Back to Our Roots: Leveraging Native Plants to Restore the Environment”
    Friday, February 19
    9:30 AM – 4:00 PM

    Join us for a fascinating day of innovative presentations that dig deep into how native plants can restore natural ecosystems in a range of landscapes, from backyards and public gardens to urban and commercial projects. Experts will tackle the native vs. non-native plant debate: Is a native plant-only prescription necessary? Under what conditions should non-native plants be incorporated, and what are the risks of using cultivars? Join the conversation as experts assess the environmental benefits that native ecosystems create, such as decreasing pollution and fighting climate change.

    Register using this link ActiveMontgomery.org (Course #87621) or call 301-962-1470. Registration includes link to watch recordings of each session after the event.

    LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN
    VIRTUAL WINTER SYMPOSIUM
    “Seek Inspiration Globally, Garden Locally”
    Wednesday-Thursday, February 10-11

    This year, we present a virtual opportunity to gather and learn from a roster of remarkable garden and design experts. Join us for this two-day symposium to spark your creativity and stretch your imagination in time for the spring season of renewal and hope. See this link for detailed program description, and for information on fees and registering.

    On Friday, February 12, there will be a pesticide certification day. See the above link for more information.

    LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN
    1800 Lakeside Avenue
    Richmond, Virginia 23228
    804-262-9887

    Enjoy the cozy heat of the conservatory filled with cacti, tropicals, and orchids, and sate your desire for seeing and sniffing beautiful blooms. See the calendar for tips what’s blooming outside in February. Masks & online tickets required for entry to the gardens and the conservatory. See this link for visitor information

    NEW DIRECTIONS IN AMERICAN LANDSCAPE (NDAL)
    Virtual Presentation “Bird-Friendly Home Landscapes”
    Wednesday, February 17
    2:00-3:15 pm

    What can we do to support birds visiting our homes this spring and beyond? In this workshop, Jillian Bell will take an in-depth look at native plants that will make your home more bird-friendly to our year-round residents and those stopping over on their migration journeys. She will also discuss how to select native plants to attract specific birds to your yard. This virtual presentation is from a New England perspective.

    NDAL “Prairie-side” Chats”

    Larry Weaner Interviews Gerould Wilhelm, PhD
    Tuesday, February 23
    1:00 – 2:15 PM

    For descriptions of these and other upcoming offerings, and to register, see this link.

    ELECTRONICS RECYCLING UNPLUGGED
    Friday, February 19
    7:30 am – Noon

    A local dental office is hosting a one-day electronic recycling event in their parking lot.  The event is sponsored by Electronics Rcycling Unplugged and will accept a variety of small electronics, including small appliances such as vacuum cleaners, microwaves, hairdryers, fans, old toasters. TV’s (Non-CRT Glass fronts), VCRs, cell phones, copiers, laptops, fax, speakers.

    Due to the current pandemic, all drop-offs will take place outside in the parking lot. Wear a mask and social distance. (6 feet away!).  Additionally, if you have Covid symptoms (or have been around anyone with any), you will need to make other arrangements for drop-off to ensure the health and safety of everyone.

    The drop-off location is at the lower level parking lot of Charlottesville Dental Health Partners:
    3025 Berkmar Dr,
    Charlottesville, VA 22901
    434-973-4355
    **LOWER LEVEL**
    www.charlottesvilledental.com

    RECYCLING #5 PLASTICS

    Whole Foods Market
    1797 Hydraulic Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22901
    (434) 973-4900

    Very few recycling centers take #5 plastics (including yogurt and cottage cheese containers, some carry out containers, etc.), but, at least for now, they can be recycled in the blue “Gimme 5” bins in front of Whole Foods at the Charlottesville location. They are then sent to Preserve’s manufacturing facilities to be transformed into recycled household products like toothbrushes, razors, tableware, cutting boards, colanders and other kitchenware. Please note that Preserve’s website indicates that the Gimme 5 recycling program has been paused due to the pandemic, so check with the Charlottesville store before you go.  As of publication, the store confirmed that the bins are still in place and accepting #5 plastics.  Preserve.eco/Gimme 5

     

    MONARCH JOINT VENTURE
    The 2021 Monarch Conservation Webinar Series
    4th Tuesday of the Month *
    2:00 PM EST

    The Monarch Joint Venture is partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Conservation Training Center to put on another year full of informative and inspiring webinars on all things monarch. Starting in January, webinars will be held live on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 2 PM Eastern Time. * The November and December dates have been moved to avoid conflicting with major holidays. Each webinar will be recorded and available here for later viewing as well.

    Check out the webinar titles and dates below, and click on a title to register:

    Please note this list is subject to change. Their events page will have the most up to date information on our webinar series, as well as a calendar of additional monarch-related events.

    THE NATURE FOUNDATION AT WINTERGREEN
    March Guided Hikes
    Zoom Lecture Series, “The Birth of the Blue Ridge”

    The last two session of a four-part lecture series on “The Birth of the Blue Ridge” will be offered via Zoom on Friday, February 12, and Friday February 26, 7:00-8:00 PM. Please see this link for more information and to register.

    For information on guided hikes, difficulty ratings, and to register, please see this link to the February/March calendar.

    VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION (VCE) VIDEO LIBRARY

    VCE offers a variety of videos on topics geared to both beginner and more advanced gardeners. Examples of topics include:

    Small Fruits in the Home Garden
    Good Bugs, Bad Bugs
    Succulent Propagation and Care
    Boxwood Blight: How it Spreads

    For these and many more videos that address specific topics or those of more general interest, see this link.