Back by popular demand, the 2025 “Bringing Nature Home” short course will return this February as a four-part online series. This is a great opportunity if you’re new to the world of native plants and are looking to learn more about backyard ecology and the simple actions you can take to create wildlife friendly habitat.
In this series, Andrew Tufts, Program Manager of Maine Audubon’s Bringing Nature Home, will walk participants through the principals of ecological gardening, best management practices, how to grow your own plants from seed, and how to create wildlife friendly habitat.
Native plants don’t just look nice—they provide essential food and shelter for local wildlife while reducing the need for pesticides, fertilizers, and excessive watering. By incorporating these plants into your landscape, you’ll be part of a growing movement to restore Maine’s natural ecosystems, one yard at a time. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn new tips and tricks, connect with fellow gardeners, and take meaningful steps toward a healthier environment. Register today for this free online course and get ready to dig in!
Program Overview
February 5: Grow Your Own Native Plants Learn to work with nature to propagate your own plants from seeds. We will cover how different seeds germinate, where to get seeds, basic seed collection, and some of the proven techniques.
February 12: Backyard Ecology 101 Get an introduction to the wildlife and natural processes that have been occurring around us, in some cases for centuries. This class will review the life cycles of plants, insects, and birds.
February 19: The Birds of Maine Learn more about many of the most common species of birds that share our landscapes. We will profile some of Maine’s avian residents and visitors, and look at what our landscapes should do for them.
February 26: Top Plants and Tools for Picking Them We will introduce our favorite native plants for your home, as well as the various resources we use to choose them. We will also address where to find these plants.
Note: Sessions will be held virtually Wednesdays at 6 pm. Registration is for all dates in this series, and you do not need to complete a separate registration for each date. Once registered, you will be emailed a Zoom link 30 minutes before the start of each program.
