The 6th annual Midwest Native Plant Conference took place this weekend, and what a great time it was. For the fifth year in a row, we centered the event at Bergamo Center on the sprawling grounds of Mount St. John, just outside of Dayton. CLICK HERE for the conference website and all of the details.
As has been the case every year, the conference filled to capacity, which is about 170 people. I think we could make it larger, but bigger is not always better and none of us involved in its planning wishes to move it. The venue is perfect. A big thanks to everyone who works hard, and more or less all year, to make this thing come together. Keynote speakers, numerous concurrent breakout sessions, field trips, multiple vendors of native plants, numerous other exhibitors, meals - all of the things that make for LOTS of work and planning. Read more at:
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Connecting People and Nature
This year, our 6th annual native plant conference held August 1-3, 2014 at the Bergamo Center in Dayton, OH was a great success!
We want to extend a big thanks to our 2014 Sponsors: In-kind Sponsor: ODNR Division of Wildlife, Wild Ones-Greater Cincinnati Chapter. Hepatica Level Sponsor- Cincinnati Wildflower Preservation Society, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association and Ohio Prairie Nursery. Bluebell Level Sponsor-Audubon Society of Ohio, Basically Natives, Companion Plants, Enchanter’s Garden Native Plants, Flora-Quest, Friendly Gardens, Keystone Flora, Natives in Harmony, Naturally Native Nursery, Scioto Gardens, Tecumseh Land Trust, United Plant Savers and Wild Ones-Columbus Chapter. Visit our website to see a listing of additional conference vendors and exhibitors.
We want to acknowledge those who have worked so hard all year long, and during the busy conference weekend. The Conference Team, in alphabetical order: Karen Arnett, Brittany Boggs, Yvonne Cecil, Yvonne Dunphe, Judy Ganance, Teri Gilligan, Scott Hogsten, Ned Keller, Randy Lakes, Diana Malas, Jim McCormac, Kathy McDonald, Cathy Plum and Debi Wolterman. A special thanks to our partners, the Marianist Environmental Education Center (MEEC) for assisting us in hosting this event. And most of all, we want to give a big heartfelt ‘thank you’ to our conference attendees! We hope to see you again next year.
Please mark your calendar for next year’s conference at Bergamo Center, July 24-26, 2015. Keynote speakers are Kenn Kaufman, William Cullina , and Don Leopold.
Sunday, August 3, 2014 Ohio Birds and Biodiversity - Jim McCormac
Midwest Native Plant Conference recap
http://jimmccormac.blogspot.com/2014/08/midwest-native-plant-conference-recap.html
6th Annual Midwest Native Plant Conference
http://www.midwestnativeplants.org/styled/index.html
August 1, 2 & 3, 2014
2014 Conference Plant: White Oak - Quercus alba
Photo courtesy of Iowa State Extension

The 6th Annual Midwest Native Plant Conference will again be held at the Bergamo Conference Center located on the beautiful grounds of the 300 acre Mount Saint John Preserve in Beavercreek, Ohio.
The Conference features keynote presentations from top naturalists from around the country, informative workshops and breakout sessions, and morning and evening field trips on Friday and Saturday. Sunday offers expert led field trips to some interesting natural areas rich in native plants and diversity. Check out the full Agenda to see all of the details!