Native plants established within urban areas provide critical support to native pollinators – especially specialist pollinators – and value for creating habits for birds and small mammals. Many native plants from western US regions are also drought tolerant and allow for water conservation in landscapes. Increasing understanding of these concepts is creating an unprecedented demand for native plant products. Unfortunately, availability of such products is limited. More commonly available in the standard nursery trade are nativars – cultivars derived from native plants.

This presentation by Dr. Stephen Love, amateur botanist and retired extension horticulturist for the University of Idaho, will explore the validity of using native plants vs. nativars for urban habitat development.

Several questions will be discussed, including: What is a native plant? What is a nativar? Are nativars inferior to native plants for habitat development? Are nativars capable of supporting pollinators, including native specialist pollinators? Is genetic variability – critical in restoration of wildlands – essential in urban habitats? Should we support local government policies that define and regulate urban native plant utilization? How do local regulations impact native plant product availability? How does all of this affect me, a native plant consumer? Hopefully, this discussion will allow all of us to better navigate the consumer native plant scene.

This program is presented in partnership with the Wood River Chapter of the Idaho Native Plant Society and the Community Library.

Retired in 2023, Dr. Stephen Love served on the University of Idaho faculty for 38 years. He was located at the Aberdeen Research and Extension Center. The first 20 years he served in the Plant Sciences Department as a potato breeder. The last 18 years he served as an Extension consumer horticulture specialist, teaching and training on topics related to home horticulture and landscape management. He earned his bachelor’s degree in horticulture at Brigham Young University and his Ph.D. in horticulture and plant physiology at Clemson University. In response to water supply issues in southern Idaho, he concentrated considerable effort toward developing native plants for use in home and commercial landscapes - specifically drought tolerant plants that support native pollinators.

Registration requested to join us in person and can be completed on the Community Library website here. To watch live online (no registration needed) visit: https://vimeo.com/event/6271120. A recording will be available to watch on The Community Library's Event Archive.

Registration closes 1 hour before the program. For most programs, we will have room for walk-ins to join us.

Join us to share in the joy of flowers year-round! We’ll craft floral candle lanterns and holiday ornaments with beautiful pressed flowers and other botanicals. These are great for brightening up your home throughout the winter months and also make fantastic holiday gifts!

$40/person. Reservations are required and space is limited. Grab your spot here!

Gather, create and celebrate the holiday season! Usher in the holiday season by crafting your very own handmade wreath! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned wreath maker, this is a great way to share inspiration and get in the holiday spirit with old and new friends alike. Light refreshments, spirits and all wreath materials including greenery and decorations are provided. Guests are welcome to bring any special items they’d like to incorporate into their wreaths.

$55/person. Reservations are required as space is limited.

Gather, create and celebrate the holiday season! Usher in the holiday season by crafting your very own handmade wreath! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned wreath maker, this is a great way to share inspiration and get in the holiday spirit with old and new friends alike. Light refreshments, spirits and all wreath materials including greenery and decorations are provided. Guests are welcome to bring any special items they’d like to incorporate into their wreaths.

$55/person. Reservations are required as space is limited. .

Join us and 40 guests for a celestial educational event! Cozy up next to the fire, and enjoy passed appetizers and a beverage from our hosted Snow Bar to kick off the evening. Dinner is served with wine at 6pm inside the heated greenhouse. Following a delicious catered meal and dessert, we’ll hear a few words from celestial educators and head back outdoors with a local astronomer to take a peek through a telescope and enjoy what the darkest nights of the year bring! This event happens regardless of the weather (don’t worry, we have contingency plans and it will be enjoyable no matter what!).

Cost is $150 per person, all inclusive. Register here. These events SELL OUT so don’t delay! Dark Sky Dinners are brought to you by Sawtooth Botanical Garden, in partnership with the Idaho Dark Sky Alliance, Environmental Resource Center and Idaho Community Foundation.

Join us and 40 guests for a celestial educational event! Cozy up next to the fire, and enjoy passed appetizers and a beverage from our hosted Snow Bar to kick off the evening. Dinner is served with wine at 6pm inside the heated greenhouse. Following a delicious catered meal and dessert, we’ll hear a few words from celestial educators and head back outdoors with a local astronomer to take a peek through a telescope and enjoy what the darkest nights of the year bring! This event happens regardless of the weather (don’t worry, we have contingency plans and it will be enjoyable no matter what!).

Cost is $150 per person, all inclusive. Register here. These events SELL OUT so don’t delay! Dark Sky Dinners are brought to you by Sawtooth Botanical Garden, in partnership with the Idaho Dark Sky Alliance, Environmental Resource Center and Idaho Community Foundation.

Join us for a dash of holiday festivities and create your own gnomes and ribbon angels! These gnomes and angels are a fun way to channel your creativity and express your own holiday style. No two look alike! They make great gifts, ornaments, holiday decor and can also add a special touch to a gift package. Each attendee will get to take their crafts home with them.

$30/person. Reservations are required and can be made here.

Join us and 40 guests for a celestial educational event! Cozy up next to the fire, and enjoy passed appetizers and a beverage from our hosted Snow Bar to kick off the evening. Dinner is served with wine at 6pm inside the heated greenhouse. Following a delicious catered meal and dessert, we’ll hear a few words from celestial educators and head back outdoors with a local astronomer to take a peek through a telescope and enjoy what the darkest nights of the year bring! This event happens regardless of the weather (don’t worry, we have contingency plans and it will be enjoyable no matter what!).

Cost is $150 per person, all inclusive. Register here. These events SELL OUT so don’t delay! Dark Sky Dinners are brought to you by Sawtooth Botanical Garden, in partnership with the Idaho Dark Sky Alliance, Environmental Resource Center and Idaho Community Foundation.

Join us and 40 guests for a celestial educational event! Cozy up next to the fire, and enjoy passed appetizers and a beverage from our hosted Snow Bar to kick off the evening. Dinner is served with wine at 6pm inside the heated greenhouse. Following a delicious catered meal and dessert, we’ll hear a few words from celestial educators and head back outdoors with a local astronomer to take a peek through a telescope and enjoy what the darkest nights of the year bring! This event happens regardless of the weather (don’t worry, we have contingency plans and it will be enjoyable no matter what!).

Cost is $150 per person, all inclusive. Register here. These events SELL OUT so don’t delay! Dark Sky Dinners are brought to you by Sawtooth Botanical Garden, in partnership with the Idaho Dark Sky Alliance, Environmental Resource Center and Idaho Community Foundation.

Join us and 40 guests for a celestial educational event! Cozy up next to the fire, and enjoy passed appetizers and a beverage from our hosted Snow Bar to kick off the evening. Dinner is served with wine at 6pm inside the heated greenhouse. Following a delicious catered meal and dessert, we’ll hear a few words from celestial educators and head back outdoors with a local astronomer to take a peek through a telescope and enjoy what the darkest nights of the year bring! This event happens regardless of the weather (don’t worry, we have contingency plans and it will be enjoyable no matter what!).

Cost is $150 per person, all inclusive. Register here. These events SELL OUT so don’t delay! Dark Sky Dinners are brought to you by Sawtooth Botanical Garden, in partnership with the Idaho Dark Sky Alliance, Environmental Resource Center and Idaho Community Foundation.

Join us and 40 guests for a celestial educational event! Cozy up next to the fire, and enjoy passed appetizers and a beverage from our hosted Snow Bar to kick off the evening. Dinner is served with wine at 6pm inside the heated greenhouse. Following a delicious catered meal and dessert, we’ll hear a few words from celestial educators and head back outdoors with a local astronomer to take a peek through a telescope and enjoy what the darkest nights of the year bring! This event happens regardless of the weather (don’t worry, we have contingency plans and it will be enjoyable no matter what!).

Cost is $150 per person, all inclusive. Register here. These events SELL OUT so don’t delay! Dark Sky Dinners are brought to you by Sawtooth Botanical Garden, in partnership with the Idaho Dark Sky Alliance, Environmental Resource Center and Idaho Community Foundation.