Posted: April 10, 2025
Free community event features conservation pioneer and bestselling author Dr. Douglas Tallamy
A tiger swallowtail butterfly with vibrant yellow wings and bold black stripes rests delicately on clusters of fluffy pink Joe Pye weed blossoms, surrounded by the lush greenery of a summer garden.
Your backyard could become the next battleground in the fight to save biodiversity – and you're being recruited as an essential ally.
On May 20, the public will have a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of America's foremost ecological visionaries when Dr. Douglas Tallamy presents "Restoring Nature: An Evening with Doug Tallamy" at Penn State Behrend.
The free community event, hosted by the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Erie County, will showcase practical strategies from Tallamy's just-released book, "How Can I Help? Saving Nature with Your Yard."
Tallamy, a professor at the University of Delaware and co-founder of the Homegrown National Park movement, has spent decades researching how native plants support local wildlife and strengthen ecosystem resilience. His work demonstrates how traditional landscaping practices have inadvertently created "food deserts" for beneficial insects and birds that form the backbone of our ecosystems.
During the presentation, attendees will learn actionable steps to transform their properties – whether sprawling acreage or modest apartment balconies – into thriving habitats that support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife while creating visually stunning landscapes.
The evening includes an interactive Q&A session, giving participants direct access to one of the country's most influential voices in ecological landscaping.
The event represents part of Penn State Extension's ongoing commitment to providing research-based education that promotes environmental stewardship throughout Pennsylvania.
Event Details:
- Date: May 20, 2025
- Time: 5:30 PM (doors open at 4:30 PM)
- Location: Penn State Behrend, Reed Union Building, McGarvey Room
- Cost: Free (registration required due to limited seating)
- Registration: Restoring Nature: An Evening With Doug Tallamy or 1-877-345-0691
Dr. Tallamy's distinguished career spans 34 years at the University of Delaware, where he has authored 84 research publications on insect-plant interactions and ecosystem diversity. His previous books include the award-winning "Bringing Nature Home" and "Living Landscape" (co-authored with Rick Darke). His conservation work has earned him the Garden Club of America's Margaret Douglas Medal for Conservation and the Tom Dodd, Jr. Award of Excellence.
For additional information, contact the Penn State Extension Erie County office at 814-825-0900.
