Join us on January 31, 2026 for Garden Visions 2026

Registration Opens November 3rd! 

Agenda

7:30am - 8:30am  Doors Open / Registration / Vendors

8:30am - 8:45am Welcome

8:45am - 10:00am "Climate Change Impacts for WI Gardeners", Paul Whitaker

There is strong scientific consensus that climate is changing around the globe.  Here in Wisconsin, a changing climate presents both opportunities and challenges for gardeners.  This session will explore the connections between climate and weather, the mechanisms of climate change, and some observed and predicted impacts of climate change in Wisconsin.  To garden successfully as our climate changes, we may need to adjust our gardening practices and choices of plant materials, and pay more attention to microclimates where we garden.

10:00am - 10:25am Break / Vendors

10:25am - 11:40am "Maintaining Perennial Gardens", Mark Dwyer

Gardeners have a lot of expectations from perennials, both natives and non-natives.  We look for color, form, texture, fragrance, pollinator value, combination potential and much more.  We'll explore how the “focused intervention” of a wide range of techniques such as deadheading, cutting back, pinching, and dividing can maximize the appearance and contribution of perennials and will show colorful examples of the techniques at work.

11:40am - 12:50pm Lunch / Vendors

12:50pm - 2:05pm "Basics of Landscape Design", Mark Dwyer

While we all strive for beautiful landscapes, it's important to consider how to organize your spaces for cohesiveness and function.  We'll explore some design tips on how to address the space in terms of maximizing both the potential uses of the landscape but beauty as well. We'll discuss the elements and planting suggestions to consider when creating engaging, functional and beautiful garden spaces.

2:05pm - 2:30pm Break / Vendors

2:30pm - 3:45pm "Gardening and Birds", Brett Barker

Gardeners know that their plants attract and support a wide variety of wildlife and most seek to learn more about the creatures that visit their land. In this session Brett Barker, an avid birdwatcher and nature lover, will share information on a variety of topics: how to attract birds to your garden and how they benefit your plants; how to make your garden bird-friendly and bird-safe year-round; and how to identify the feathered beauties that visit you.

Meet Our Presenters

Paul Whitaker photoPaul Whitaker

Paul Whitaker is an Entomologist, teaching and researching Insect Ecology and Organic Agriculture. He is the Assistant Dean of the School of Biology, Chemistry, and Biochemistry at UW-Stevens Point. Outside of campus, Whitaker gives training sessions on insect biology, diversity and control for gardeners. Prior to his teaching role, he served as the Grounds Committee Chair at Monk Botanical Gardens. Whitaker holds a Master's degree and Ph.D from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Entomology. 

Mark Dwyer photoMark Dwyer

Mark Dwyer is a gardening enthusiast who shares his passion as an expert speaker.  Mark was the Director of Horticulture at Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, WI for over 20 years where he was responsible for the continued improvement and maintenance of this award-winning, 20 acres, non-profit garden. Mark’s related hobby and passion is visiting other gardens, taking lots of photos and blogging in his entertaining and educational writing style. Mark has a B.S. in Landscape Architecture from the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana) and a Master’s degree in Urban Forestry from the University of Wisconsin (Stevens Point) and is a member of multiple horticulture associations such as Wisconsin Hardy Plant Society, Wisconsin Woody Plant Society, Wisconsin Hosta Society, American Public Gardens Association, Perennial Plant Association, American Conifer Society and North American Rock Garden Society. 

Brett Barker photoBrett Barker

Brett Barker is Professor of History and chair of the Department of History and International Studies at UW-Stevens Point. He is an avid birder and has seen over 250 species of bird in Marathon County.

 

Attend Your Way

Attend in person all day OR attend virtually via Zoom. All sessions will be livestreamed for virtual attendees. 

Registration Fees

  • In-person 62+ - $49
  • In-person - $59
  • Virtual - $40

Onsite Vendors! 

Please note, an ATM is NOT available on campus. If interested in vending opportunities, please email ce@ntc.edu 

This conference is presented in partnership with 

North Central Wisconsin Master Gardeners

 

 

 

 

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