Recent and Upcoming Talks and Classes

Wings of Wonder: Creating a Natural Hummingbird Haven

Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 1-2:30pm. In-person at the Morris Arboretum. Registration details coming soon…

Learn how to make your space a haven for hummers! Curious about the life history of this fascinating bird? Interested in providing the natural conditions to support successful migration, foraging, and nesting in your yard? Did you know that you can see hummingbirds in your space from spring through late summer without an artificial nectar feeder? Ecological planting designer, Michelle Detwiler will present her favorite list of native plants for seasonal blooms—an irresistible buffet for this high-energy avian.

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The Pollinator Pathway and Boosting Habitat with Keystone Plant Species

The Community Garden Club of Wayne. Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 7pm at The Radnor Memorial Library

Interested in enhancing the ecological value of your garden by joining a growing network of habitat-friendly spaces? Join native planting designer, Michelle Detwiler of Wild About Native Plants to learn about the Pollinator Pathway—a national effort to connect the natural fabric of our landscapes as individual public and private property owners incorporate native plants, remove ecologically-unfriendly species, minimize chemical use, and leave habitat for overwintering wildlife. Michelle will explain the simplicity of the collaboration, how you can join the effort, and the principles that benefit essential pollinators as well as local and global food webs, the watershed, and the humans who inhabit and steward these spaces. Michelle will also recommend some of the highest value plants for generalist and specialist insect species in our area—keystone native plants—and suggest ways to incorporate these species first to maximize ecological benefits to the food web.

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From Milkweed to Migration: Gardening for Monarch Butterflies

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 from 6-8pm. In-person at the Morris Arboretum. Registration details coming soon…

Monarchs still need our help! Learn how to support the migration and reproduction of these iconic butterflies in your space. Ecological planting designer, Michelle Detwiler will present her favorite native plants to feed all life stages including local milkweed species as well as essential nectar plants often overlooked in our gardens. Get tips on planting design for the most productive habitat for monarch caterpillars as well as guidance on incorporating a variety of habitat-friendly species for wet to dry site conditions. Leave feeling empowered to participate in the necessary cooperation for habitat restoration and conservation to protect these endangered beauties.

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Tips for a Bird-friendly Garden and the Pollinator Pathway. Main Line Unitarian Church. Private talk, Sunday, March 16, 2025 11:30am

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Why Native Plants Matter and How to Get Started. Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El. Private talk - March 2025

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Achieving an All-Season Garden, Tuesday, September 17, 2024 in-person at the Morris Arboretum. 6-8pm. Register online here.

Looking to enhance year-round fulfillment in your outdoor space? Join native planting designer Michelle Detwiler of Wild About Native Plants for suggestions on compelling habitat-friendly plant selections and planting design techniques to extend garden interest throughout the year. Join the conversation about the uniqueness of the seasons in our ecoregion including nuanced views that go beyond traditional definitions to incorporate essential elements of seasonal life in our gardens — birds, native bees, butterflies, and amphibians. Enjoy photographically rich tours of layered garden spaces throughout the year to inspire new planting designs, ecological stewardship, and a refreshed sense of awe in your space.

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Fall is for Tree Planting! Thursday, September 26, 2024. 7—8:30pm online by Zoom through Main Line School Night. Register here.

Interested in more bird habitat, more shade, and more beauty in your space?  Join native planting designer Michelle Detwiler to learn about local keystone tree species with the most impact for the food web.  Get tips on picking the right tree for your site conditions and learn how to correctly plant and care for trees to maximize your investment.  Join the conversation on tree planting size, fostering naturally-occuring tree species, and planting beneath trees as a way to reduce yard maintenance and to create beautiful “soft landings” for the wildlife using your trees. 

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The Pollinator Pathway. Private talk for The Garden Club of Philadelphia, October 8, 2024

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Creating Wildlife Havens: Tips for a Bird-Friendly Garden with Michelle Detwiler, Thursday, October 10, 2024

Hosted by the Narberth Area Garden Club, 7:00 PM 8:30 PM

Join us for an enlightening session with native garden designer and wildlife advocate, Michelle Detwiler. Discover practical advice on making your outdoor space safe and welcoming for birds, fireflies, moths, and other wildlife. Learn how birds perceive our environments and how you can support their migration and survival within urban settings. This presentation will offer simple tips to enhance local habitats, integrate your landscape with the natural world, and experience the joy of vibrant, living gardens.

Payment/Attendance notes:

This event is free to members, $5 for visitors.

Those who wish to create or renew membership may do so via PayPal on the Membership page of this website. You may also pay at the event with cash or check payable to Narberth Area Garden Club.

This event will take place at the Narberth Municipal Building, 100 Conway Ave, Narberth PA (use Haverford Avenue entrance). The event will not be accessible via Zoom.

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Nature at Night: Fireflies - Light up the Night! In-person at the Tyler Arboretum. Wednesday, June 26, 2024. 7:45pm-9:30pm. 515 Painter Road, Media, PA.

FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN AGES 8-17

Join us for a presentation in Tyler’s Barn Loft, followed by a twilight walk to find fireflies!

Fireflies light up our yards on warm summer nights, but their glow is fading as populations decline. Join native planting designer Michelle Detwiler to learn about these unique, bioluminescent creatures and the challenges they face. Gain insights on creating healthy habitats to make your space more inviting for these charismatic insects. If the weather allows, we’ll go for a walk to see fireflies after the presentation!

About the presenter:

Michelle Detwiler is a wildlife gardener and owner of Wild About Native Plants, an ecological design and consulting business that helps property owners and public space stewards create resilient living landscapes by incorporating native plants.

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Please check in at the Visitor Center Patio upon arrival. The presentation will be in the Barn Loft, followed by a short walk to view fireflies. Children must be accompanied by an adult. We will be walking on grass and gravel; closed-toe shoes are recommended.

MEMBERS (sign in for your discount!): Adult: $15 each; Child (ages 8-17): $10 each

NON-MEMBERS: Adult: $20 each; Child (ages 8-17): $15 each

GUEST PASS HOLDERS (for non-members only): Adult Guest: $15 each; Child Guest (ages 8-17): $10 each. Please give your guest passes to the Visitor Center Associate at check-in. Each participant must submit a guest pass.

REGISTER HERE

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Transform Your Yard: Grass Removal, Pollinators, & Native Plants. Online by Zoom through the Darby Creek Valley Association and the Lower Merion Conservancy. April 24 at 7pm. Free. Click here to register.

Regenerate biodiversity and ecosystem function in your own yard! This Darby Creek Valley Association (DCVA) and Lower Merion Conservancy on-line event will describe the reasons and ways to make small yet meaningful changes as well as resources for making bigger changes and opportunities to receive free native plant plugs through local organizations and volunteer work.  Presenters include Michelle Detwiler from Wild About Native Plants and Jamie Anderson from Eastern Del. Co. Stormwater Collaborative.  A member of the Coopertown Beautification Crew who has done this in their own yard, will discuss how they started their grassroots neighborhood initiative. Inspired by Homegrown National Park. Free, registration required 

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The Pollinator Pathway and Building Essential Wildlife Habitat with Keystone Native Plants. Online by Zoom through the Lower Merion Conservancy. April 11 at 7pm. Free. Click here to register.

Join us for a yearly check-in about gardens of the Lower Merion and Narberth Pollinator Pathway. Do you have successes and challenges to share? Would you like to know how to join? Connect with others who are making similar efforts to incorporate native plants, remove ecologically unfriendly species, minimize chemical use, and leave habitat for overwintering wildlife. Ecological garden designer Michelle Detwiler will discuss ways to use keystone native plants in your space. Learn how to incorporate these species first to maximize ecological benefits to the local food web.

If you’d like to share an image of your garden in any season on the Pollinator Pathway, please email it to Michelle in advance at wildaboutnativeplants@gmail.com.

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Achieving a Four-season Garden. The Narberth Area Garden Club. In-person at the Narberth Municipal Building, 100 Conway Ave, Narberth PA (use Haverford Avenue entrance). March 7, 2024, 7:00 PM-8:30 PM.

Looking to enhance year-round fulfillment in your outdoor space? Join native planting designer Michelle Detwiler for suggestions on compelling habitat-friendly plant selections and garden stewardship techniques to extend the garden seasons from early spring through late fall as well as tips on incorporating structure, texture, and winter interest into your garden. Join the conversation about the uniqueness of the seasons in our region and the opportunity to expand the traditional definition of garden “interest” as a basis for building deeply satisfying outdoor spaces with both year-round aesthetic beauty and ecological purpose.

Payment/Attendance notes: This event is free to members, $5 for visitors. Those who wish to create or renew membership may do so via PayPal on the Membership page of this website. You may also pay at the event with cash or check payable to Narberth Area Garden Club. The event will not be accessible via Zoom.

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Nature at Night: Fireflies - Light up the Night! In-person at the Tyler Arboretum. Wednesday, June 28, 2023. 7:45pm-9:30pm. 515 Painter Road, Media, PA.

Join us for a presentation in Tyler’s Barn Loft, followed by a twilight walk to find fireflies!

Fireflies light up our yards on warm summer nights, but their glow is starting to dim as populations decline. Join native planting designer Michelle Detwiler to learn about these uniquely bioluminescent creatures and their challenges. Learn how to create healthy habitat to make your space as inviting as possible for these charismatic insects. After the presentation, we will join entomologist Sam Nestory for an exciting twilight walk to observe and identify local firefly species in the meadow at Tyler! Adults & Children ages 8 & up. Pre-registration required. Please check in at the Visitor Center upon arrival.

The presentation will be in the Barn Loft followed by a short walk to view fireflies. Children must be accompanied by an adult. We will be walking on grass and gravel, closed toe shoes are recommended. Click here to register. Arboretum members: $15. Non-members: $20. Children discounted.

Pollinator Week Webinar - Sharing Pollinator Pathway Success Stories. Join the Conversation! June 20 at 6:30PM on Zoom. Register for this free event HERE.

Join us for an update on some exciting new developments along the Pollinator Pathway and to hear from a panel of Pathway Community Organizers-- from Cape Cod, MA; southeast PA (Michelle Detwiler); central OH; and western OR--who will share successes, challenges, and lessons learned. Participants are invited to share questions and ideas.

Spring Wildflowers along the Bridlewild Trails. Speaker for the annual meeting of the Bridlewild Trails Association. 16 April 2023. Gladwyne, PA.

Go Native! Inspiration for spring. (Jamie Anderson starts at minute 3:30 talking about the role of pollinator gardens in capturing stormwater, and Michelle begins her portion at minute 12:20. Topics include the role of native plants, environmental history, high value native species for wildlife, tips for analyzing site conditions, pollinators, invasive species control, removing lawn, and before and after photos of native garden projects). Lower Merion Conservancy, 23 February 2023

The fall garden and native seed sowing. Redbud Native Plant Nursery winter market. 27 November 2022

Native Asters and Goldenrods. Redbud Native Plant Nursery fall yard talk. 20 September 2022

Gardening for Monarch Butterflies. Redbud Native Plant Nursery spring yard talk. 10 June 2022

Creating a Wildlife Pond - Water Gardens for Toads, Dragonflies, and More! Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Butler County on February 9, 2022, The Loudoun County Extension Master Gardeners on 2 June 2022, Narberth Area Garden Club on 03 February 2022, and Main Line School Night on 19 March 2022

Earth-friendly Landscape Stewardship. Climate Action Lower Merion (CALM). 06 January 2022

Fall Superstars for Wildlife: Native Asters and Goldenrods. Penn State Extension Master Gardeners Fall Fest. 09 October 2021

How and Why to Love your Leaves. Meeting of the Penn Valley Civic Association. 10 November 2021

Love your Leaves! Redbud Native Plant Nursery winter market. 27 November 2021

Gardening for Monarch Butterflies. Main Line School Night. 06 November 2021 and 03 March 2022

Incorporating Native Plants: A Roadmap for Action. Lower Merion Conservancy on 11 March 2021 and The Gardeners Garden Club on 14 September 2021

Providing Year-Round Habitat for Pollinators. Main Line School Night on 6 April 2021 and Haverford Township on 16 October 2021

Gardening for Hummingbirds. Main Line School Night on 20 March 2021 and 19 October 2021 and the Planters Garden Club on 5 October 2021

Earth-friendly Landscape Stewardship. Meeting of the Penn Valley Civic Association. 25 February 2021

Lower Merion and Narberth Pollinator Pathway. Lower Merion Conservancy. 01 October 2020

High-value Native Plants. Tyler Arboretum Volunteers Meeting. 2 July 2020

Planting for Pollinators. Lower Merion Conservancy. 22 April 2020

What You Never Knew About the Plants of West Mill Creek Park. Annual meeting of the Friends of West Mill Creek Park. 1 March 2020

Gardening for Wildlife at Home. Narberth Area Garden Club. 3 October 2019

Your Garden Matters! Ideas for Building a Beautiful, Healthy, and Sustainable Garden. In partnership with the Narberth Area Garden Club for the Narberth Community Library. 12 April 2019