INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – The Pelican Island Audubon Society is sponsoring a two-day conference, Jan, 19 and 20, at The Emerson Center, 1590 27th Ave., Vero Beach, on how to transform your landscape with native plants.
Dr. Doug Tallamy, wildlife ecologist and author of Bringing Nature Home and How You Can Sustain Wildlife With Native Plants will be the keynote speaker Friday at 6 p.m. A wine and beer reception will follow.
Saturday sessions begin at 9 a.m. and cover various topics on how transforming landscapes can benefit the Indian River Lagoon and attract local birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.
Featured speakers include Dr. Edie Widder, CEO and Senior Scientist, Ocean Research and Conservation Association in Fort Pierce; Steve Turnipseed, President of the Villages Chapter of the Native Plant Society; Tod Winston, Program Manager, Plants for Birds, National Audubon Society; Dr. Juanita Baker, Pelican Island Audubon Society and Professor Emeritus, Florida Institute of Technology; Dr. Zak Gezon, Conservation Program Manager, Walt Disney Company; Robin Pelensky, Landscape Architect; Nickie Munroe, Indian River County Environmental Horticulture Agent; and Jacob Ensor, land use attorney with Ross Earle Bonan and Ensor, P.A.
The registration fee before Jan. 5 is $25 ($35 after Jan 5). Student registration fee is $10. Fees include the wine and beer reception on Friday and a box lunch on Saturday. Register online at www.pelicanisandaudubon.org. For more information, call (772) 567-3520 or email piaudubon@yahoo.com.
