Join Wild Ones for a free webinar, “The Advocacy Power of Public Native Gardens,” featuring Nicole Machuca, Environmental Social Scientist, Keller Science Action Center at the Field Museum. This event explores how public and demonstration gardens inspire action, connect people with native plants, and drive community engagement. We’ll feature case studies from two Wild Ones Chapters! Join us to learn how native plant gardens shift landscaping norms, foster biodiversity, and educate communities about sustainable practices while advancing native plant advocacy.
About the Webinar
Public gardens hold tremendous power to influence landscaping norms and inspire change. By showcasing the beauty, functionality, and ecological value of native plants, these spaces help foster biodiversity, advocate for sustainable practices, and engage communities in environmental stewardship.
This webinar will explore how public and demonstration gardens serve as powerful tools for native plant advocacy. Attendees will learn how gardens move beyond aesthetics to spark action—turning appreciation into engagement and inspiring participants to replicate these practices in their own communities.
The program will feature:
- Insights from Nicole Machuca, Environmental Social Scientist at the Field Museum, on how public gardens influence behaviors, foster stewardship, and connect people to conservation efforts through research and community engagement.
- Case Studies from Wild Ones Chapters: The Wild Ones Capital Region NY and the Wild Ones San Diego (CA) Chapters will share their experiences building native plant demonstration gardens and how these spaces drive community engagement, education, and advocacy.
- Panel Discussion: Kelly Capuzzi, Demonstration Garden Chair for the Wild Ones Hocking Hills (OH) Chapter, will lead a conversation with speakers exploring how demonstration gardens create lasting impact beyond planting day. Panelists will share strategies for public engagement, such as workshops, signage, citizen science programs, and more.
Why Attend?
- Discover how public and demonstration gardens are more than just beautiful spaces—they are tools for action and advocacy.
- Learn practical strategies for using gardens to educate communities and influence native plant adoption.
- Be inspired by real-world case studies and leave with actionable ideas to implement in your own community or front yard.
Thank You
This webinar and the two case studies highlighting native plant demonstration gardens were made possible through funding from Monarch Joint Venture and the U.S. Forest Service International Programs. We appreciate their support in advancing native plant advocacy and community-based conservation efforts.
About the Presenters
Nicole Machuca – Environmental Social Scientist, Chicago Field Museum
Nicole is an Environmental Social Scientist on the Keller Science Action Center’s Chicago Region Team, at the Field Museum. She co-leads the Monarchs & Pollinators Initiative and contributes to the City of Chicago Initiative. She brings two decades of experience working at the intersection of environmental and social issues, with expertise in community engagement and qualitative research. Before joining the Field Museum, Nicole conducted co-produced research around Chicago’s Calumet River, interior Alaska, and the South Carolina Lowcountry.
Her work centers on listening to residents’ stories, building community capacity, and fostering participatory processes that empower communities to drive change. She is passionate about connecting stakeholders and sharing knowledge to help communities achieve their goals.
Kelly Capuzzi – Demonstration Garden Chair, Wild Ones Hocking Hills Chapter
Kelly serves as the Demonstration Garden Chair for the Wild Ones Hocking Hills (OH) Chapter. She manages the Logan Community Garden and has been instrumental in establishing native plant demonstration gardens, including a butterfly trail in the Hocking Hills area and a garden at the Bowen House in Logan, Ohio. Kelly is a certified Volunteer Pollinator Specialist through Ohio State University Extension and uses their Plant by Numbers program to create native plant gardens designed to support pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Professionally, she is an aquatic biologist with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, focusing on stream surveys and fish assessments. Kelly is particularly passionate about native bees and pollinators, integrating her expertise to foster community engagement in native plant advocacy.
Rosemary Mix – President, Wild Ones Capital Region NY Chapter
Rosemary is the founder and president of the Wild Ones Capital Region NY Chapter, which she launched in 2021 to connect like-minded individuals and organizations in the region. With a strong focus on collaboration, education, and community-building, she has helped grow a thriving network dedicated to native plant advocacy.
A longtime steward of her own 17-acre property, Rosemary has spent decades observing and restoring natural landscapes. Her passion for conservation deepened through her involvement in organic farming and environmental education, inspiring her to expand her efforts beyond personal land management. She believes that every yard and project contributes to a larger movement to restore biodiversity, combat invasive species, and promote native plants in daily life.
Chelsea Gastelum – Demonstration Garden Chair – Wild Ones San Diego Chapter
Chelsea is a community organizer based in San Diego, California. As the Demonstration Garden Chair for the Wild Ones San Diego (CA) Chapter, she leads efforts to educate the public on the importance of native plants and sustainable gardening practices. In addition to her role with Wild Ones, Chelsea is the founder of the Busy Bee Garden Co-Op, a volunteer group committed to beautifying urban spaces and creating pollinator habitats throughout Lemon Grove. Under her leadership, the co-op has successfully established numerous pollinator gardens in public areas, schools, and private residences, fostering a sense of community and environmental stewardship. Chelsea’s work has been featured in various local media outlets, highlighting her impact on promoting biodiversity and conservation in urban settings. Register Now