The Role of Native Plants in Landscape Design: Landscaping with a Purpose with Randi V. Wilfert Eckel, PhD (2025 Nursery Opening Lecture)

Through proper plant selection, we can both beautify and greatly enhance the natural environment – we can use native plants in landscape design to elevate gardens to a higher purpose. A garden that supports wildlife brings a garden alive! Randi will discuss some of the many interactions between native plants and wildlife while emphasizing the importance of native diversity and sustainability in landscaping.

Dr. Randi Eckel has been working with native plants for over 35 years, and founded the mail-order native plant nursery Toadshade Wildflower Farm in 1996 to further public awareness and availability of native plants. A life-long naturalist, lover of nature, entomologist, and confirmed plant and ecology nerd, Randi specializes in the interactions between plants and other living things. She is known for her lively and engaging lectures and workshops on growing and propagating native plants, and offers interesting, nuanced information on the complex issues facing native plants and native plant communities. She is the past president (and is currently serving as the vice president) of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey.

This program is free to members and $10 per non-member.

A Zoom link will be sent out to registrants before 2 hours before class begins. You will receive a limited-time recording of the class for later viewing as well.