Skip to content

Native Plant Conference

Join us for
The Cultivated Wild: Native Plants in the (sub)Urban Landscape

March 12–13, 2027

Celebrating 16th Biennial Native Plant Conference

Join the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens for the 16th Biennial Native Plant Conference, “The Cultivated Wild: Native Plants in the (sub)Urban Landscape,” this spring! Set between an urban cityscape and a suburban landscape, the Gardens is an ideal place to explore how we can design ecologically beneficial spaces using native and resilient plants while learning about efforts to conserve and restore the natural landscape. Over two days, changemakers from fields including plant sciences, entomology, landscape architecture, urban planning, and art will share national and statewide efforts to preserve our rapidly disappearing wild places and to design in companionship with nature.

Speakers, schedule, and registration details are coming soon! Sign up for our e-newsletters and be the first to know when registration opens.

History

Originally named the Central South Native Plant Conference, the first conference at Birmingham Botanical Gardens took place in 1989 and sprang from the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference that began in 1983 at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. For the first five conferences at the Gardens, it was themed “The Return of the Natives,” as the conference goal was—and still is—to foster awareness and appreciation of the Southeast’s renowned native plant diversity and to celebrate Alabama’s unique biodiversity. The conference continues to invite a movement to return to the use of our native flora in both public and private landscapes. It is now a biennial conference attracting novices and professionals to engage in enriching discussions while cultivating a passion for native plants. 

Why native plants?

Native plants play a crucial role in supporting both wildlife and human resilience, especially in the face of climate change. Their benefits extend far beyond providing beauty, offering essential support to pollinators like bees and butterflies, as well as a variety of other wildlife.

  1. Supporting Wildlife: Native plants provide essential habitats for many species, especially bees and caterpillars, key to the food chain. Research shows native plants support 15 times more caterpillar species than non-natives. This insect abundance is vital for birds like chickadees and bluebirds that feed their young with caterpillars. Well-connected habitats from native plants help wildlife withstand disruptions like fires and storms.
  2. Climate Resilience: Native plants boost climate resilience by converting CO2 and cooling urban areas. As urban heat islands and extreme weather increase due to climate change, these plants absorb carbon, lower heat, and support biodiversity.
  3. Adaptability and Practicality: Native plants are well-adapted to local conditions, making them easier to grow and more resilient than non-native species. They thrive in their natural environment, requiring less maintenance and water, making them ideal for sustainable landscaping. Using native plants in gardens, parks, and urban spaces can help transform neighborhoods, creating livable spaces that support biodiversity.

Native plants make a major impact on a variety of levels that extend beyond the garden. Whether you are interested in creating a wildflower garden, hoping to discover ways to promote more sustainable public spaces, or looking to attract more birds outside your window, native plants hold the answer.