Discover how to “go native” with home landscape during A Step-by-Step Guide to a Florida Native Yard, a three-hour workshop with botanist and gardening author Ginny Stibolt on Saturday, Sept. 29, at the UNF Student Union.

Hosted by the Ixia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, the event begins at 10:30 a.m. with a presentation on the importance of native plants and how they help to reduce maintenance costs, irrigation and run-off water. Stibolt will demonstrate how to create a list of the appropriate plants to use in various areas of the yard, as well as for specific purposes, such as attracting birds, butterflies and other pollinators.

A bring-your-own brown bag lunch and guided plant tour will precede the second part of the workshop, where participants will learn to create hands-on landscape plans for their own yards. All materials and written instructions will be provided.

The event also includes a multi-vendor native plant sale in the courtyard of the Student Union beginning at 10 a.m. and will feature information tables from a number of environmental organizations. This part of the event is free and open to the public.

The cost of the workshop is $35 and includes a one-year membership in the Florida Native Plant Society. Space is limited. To register, click here.