Join Duncan Himmelman and Jen Werner for an introduction to native and non-native plants and the relationship between both plant species. This class is held over ZOOM on Thursdays, Jan. 15 to Feb. 19, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Transform your garden with native plants while avoiding species that are considered invasive in western Massachusetts and surrounding areas. Discover the ecological value of native plants and learn approximately 24 herbaceous and woody perennials hardy to the Berkshires area. Additionally, you will learn about non-native invasive species that are ecologically harmful and ways to manage them in a landscape setting.

Duncan Himmelman earned his doctorate at Cornell University and taught horticultural science at the college level for 24 years. He recently retired as the education manager at Mt. Cuba Center, a public garden in Delaware devoted to native plant advocacy. He continues to enjoy teaching, designing landscapes and promoting ecologically focused gardening practices. 

Jen Werner has taught at the Vocational High School level and at Springfield Technical Community College, as well as leading trainings for Master Gardeners and classes for garden clubs and garden centers. Her hands-on experience ranges from landscape maintenance, construction and design, greenhouse management and production, nursery work, horticulture therapy and entrepreneurship. Jen is a NOFA Certified Organic Landcare Professional, and recently earned a UMASS Invasive Plant Management Certificate.