39th Annual Lahr Native Plant Symposium

Join us at the U.S. National Arboretum for a day of compelling presentations. From this year's roster of experts, learn about regenerative gardening and agroforestry, utilizing native plants in garden design, traditional ecological knowledge and the relationship between people and plants, improved garden performers, and how to support local birds in the DMV.

The Lahr Native Plant Symposium is perfect for the home gardener. The symposium features five expert speakers, and will take place in the Arboretum’s Visitor Center Auditorium. Lunch is included in the cost of registration (please note your dietary preference when registering).

TIERED PRICING REGISTRATION

Proceeds from this event directly support the Arboretum’s Fern Valley Native Plant Collection and help cover the cost of hosting the event. We are using a tiered registration pricing model to make this educational program accessible to as many people as possible. While $100 is our suggested registration price, please choose the ticket option that best fits you.

Native Plant Patron: $100 (Suggested registration price)

Tickets make an essential contribution to sustain the Fern Valley Native Plant Collection, while also covering the Arboretum’s costs for symposium speakers, lunch, and staff time.

Symposium Supporter: $75

Tickets cover the Arboretum's costs for symposium speakers, lunch, and staff time.

Community Access: $50

Tickets cover the Arboretum’s costs for symposium speakers and lunches.

PROGRAM & SPEAKERS

The Lahr Symposium will run from 9 AM to 4 PM on Saturday, March 28th. Event check-in will begin at 8:30 that morning. The symposium will feature five expert speakers:

• Adele Kuo, Founder & Principal Designer of DecoFootprint: How to utilize Native Plants in Garden Design
• Benjamin Friton, Director of REED Center for Ecosystem Reintegration: Regenerative Gardening and Agroforestry
• Dr. Rosalyn LaPier, Professor, History Department at the University of Illinois: Traditional Ecological Knowledge and the Relationship between People and Plants
• Dan Rauch, Wildlife Biologist, DC Department of Energy and Environment: The Relationship between Birds and Trees at the U.S. National Arboretum
• Chris von Kohn, Horticulturist, USNA: Finding Common Ground—the intersection of native plant purism and sustainable horticulture

NATIVE PLANT SALE

FONA’s annual Native Plant Sale is held in conjunction with the Lahr Symposium on March 28th from 8 AM to 1 PM. Browse from a small number of plant vendors (~5 vendors) before the symposium starts or during the lunch hour. Please note in the past, some vendors have sold out by lunchtime. Register for the Native Plant Sale for more details.

This course is hosted by the U.S. National Arboretum, with registration support by Friends of the National Arboretum. You will receive reminders from the USNA team closer to the event. If you have questions about the event’s content or schedule, please email Chris von Kohn at christopher.vonkohn@usda.gov. If you have questions about your registration or to request a refund, please email FONA at info@fona.org.

Refund Policy: Full refunds are provided for refund requests received up to 3 days prior to the program date. Please email info@fona.org to request a refund.