Creating Backyard National Parks

Join us at Holy Wisdom Monastery to learn about the Backyard National Park movement, which invites us all to create habitats that sustain life, one yard at a time.

Ecologist Douglas Tallamy, who founded the movement (sometimes also referred to as Homegrown National Parks) noted that, in the past, we simply expected our gardens to be pretty. In this moment, we are increasingly expecting that they also support life, build soil, sequester carbon and protect water.

Speaker Marcel Wuethrich will showcase how you as an individual have the power to make a significant difference in supporting wildlife in our neighborhoods by planting native flowers, grasses, bushes and trees. Marcel will share the story of how he and his family converted their Madison yard from a lawn desert to a landscape with native plants that support insects, birds and small mammals with food, shelter and nesting habitat. Marcel will also share lessons learned from his work spearheading a volunteer-based restoration effort of 1.5 acres at the Odana Hills Golf Course in Madison.

Schedule

6:30 pm – welcome & introductions
6:40 pm – presentation by Marcel Wuethrich
7:40 pm – Q & A

Speaker – Marcel Wuethrich

Marcel Wuethrich is a Distinguished Scientist working at the University of Wisconsin who describes himself as a biologist by education and heart. From his early childhood, Marcel loved watching birds, insects, amphibians etc. It is a natural consequence that he became involved in restoring native habitats in Switzerland (where he grew up and studied) and then later in the USA after moving here.

Cost

$12/person

Register

Please register below by March 12, 2025.

Interested but not able to attend in person? This event will be recorded. All registered participants will receive a link with the recorded presentation to watch at a later date.

There is no refund for cancellations.