Speakers Bureau : Library & Public Talks
ReWild is fortunate to have many volunteers that are passionate and knowledgeable advocates for sustainable landscaping. These rewilders are not only good evangelists within our communities, they are also good trainers who offer tools and training for beginners to be more vocal about the need for better environmental practices in our landscapes.
speakers bureau meetings
The ReWild Speakers Bureau meets once a month online in an open house discussion where new and experienced rewilders talk about upcoming presentation opportunities, as well as the most effective messaging.
This is a great space to meet people, ask questions and get engaged with upcoming initiatives. Check out our Events Page to see when the next meeting is scheduled. Please reach out to speakers-leads@rewildlongisland.org for more info.
library talks
The Mid-Suffolk Chapter of ReWild has taken the initiative to create and deliver a series of talks with locally and seasonally relevant information to help communities learn and practice sustainable landscaping. A list of talks is below. Please reach out to Beth Sutherland (beth@rewildlongisland.org) to see if we can deliver one near you.
Workshops & Presentations Offered by ReWild Long Island
Sustainable Landscaping for Biodiversity and Climate Resilience
Winter season
Native Plant Winter Sowing Workshop. Winter sowing is the easy way to grow healthy plants from seed. Bring a one gallon clear or translucent milk/water jug in a waterproof bag, and go home with a mini-greenhouse with native plant seeds. When placed outside and ignored for the winter, they will grow into strong plants next spring. Offered in January and February for best results.
Introduction to ReWilding presentation. The term “sustainable” means different things to different people. We will introduce composting, recycling, organic practices, use of water and native plants, and discuss practical changes for you to consider in your landscape. Offered year-round.
Sustainable Pollinator Garden Plan Workshop. Bring information about your space – is it sunny or shady, is it wet or dry or irrigated, flat or on a slope, clay or sandy soil? Go home with a plan for a responsible & native plant garden that will use water wisely and feed many types of pollinators.
Spring season
ReWilding for Fun Wildlife presentation. A discussion of the life cycles of butterflies, bees, birds, and others. We'll cover the food and habitats they need to survive, identify well-intentioned but sometimes harmful items, and discuss how we can coexist and attract more wildlife to our gardens.
ReWilding with Pesky Wildlife presentation. A discussion of balanced ecosystems, potential impacts of deer, rabbits, voles, ticks and mosquitoes being out of balance, and what tips and tricks you can use in your garden to get the system back in balance.
Summer season
Composting methods presentation. A survey of different composting methods, and experience from the ReWild gardens on the Bokashi method. What might work well for you depending on your goals and space, and how you can combine resources with your neighbors in a community facility.
Keystone plants presentation. Keystone plants are critical to building a robust ecosystem that provides habitat and food for wildlife and people. Learn what plants are keystones on Long Island, how to identify them and include them in your garden.
Fall season
Leave the leaves presentation. You can save time and money and help the ecosystem by leaving your leaves. Why are leaves important? What can they do for your garden? What about ticks and mosquitoes and staying safe? There are many opinions and perspectives and we'll help you figure out what to consider for your yard.
How do I start ReWilding? presentation. A discussion of how to research using free resources, what to ask in a garden center, what to ask lawn maintenance, landscapers, or gardeners you might consider hiring. Where to find reliable sources for plants and related materials, and how to identify potentially harmful plants and materials.
Putting the Garden to Bed presentation. As winter approaches some activities will help your garden survive the harsh conditions. Learn to strategically use fall leaves to support wildlife, protect tender plants and those not in the ground, and pruning best practices for wildlife and people. Clean and store tools and equipment.
More Information
ReWild Long Island is a nonprofit that promotes sustainable landscaping across Long Island through student programs, community gardens, native plants sales, and educational sessions. More information can be found on our website. www.rewildlongisland.org
Fees: We request a stipend of $200 to present programs, and $300 for workshops as they require more preparation and people. The Winter Sowing workshop has a materials fee of $10 per participant.
We can provide presentations in English, Spanish and Vietnamese in certain areas.
Contact: Beth@ReWildLongIsland.org or Kimberly@ReWildLongIsland.org