Small-Scale Native Landscapes

2 days ago

When

Thursday, March 19th 2026 at 08:30 US/Central

Workshop: Small-Scale Native Landscapes with Conservation@Home

Demand for sustainable, resilient landscapes is surging as homeowners and small businesses look to highlight the beauty and ecological value of native plants. Yet even seasoned landscape professionals don’t always have the specialized knowledge or resources needed to confidently design, install, and maintain native-focused projects.

Part of the Conservation@Home Professional training series, The Conservation Foundation and the Village of Downers Grove are offering a free training series to equip small-scale landscape designers and contractors with practical tools they can immediately put to work. Through a combination of focused recorded webinars and a hands-on, in-person workshop, participants will explore design strategies, maintenance best practices, and real-world solutions for integrating native gardens into their service portfolio.

This training is ideal for emerging and established professionals with experience in landscape design, installation, or maintenance who want to expand their expertise and meet the growing demand for high-performing, resilient landscapes that showcase native plants.

Facilitators:

Beth Peluse, Conservation@Home Manager at The Conservation Foundation
Beth Peluse is the Conservation@Home Program Manager at The Conservation Foundation. In this role, she collaborates with individuals and local organizations to promote the creation of sustainable, eco-friendly green spaces. By encouraging the planting of native plant gardens, she helps address rainwater management challenges, foster resilient ecosystems, and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Within this program, her efforts not only support local wildlife but also enhance the natural beauty of our community.

Amy Phillips, DuPage County Program Director at The Conservation Foundation
Amy supports, creates, and coordinates conservation programming tailored to community needs in DuPage County. She is responsible for building relationships with local leaders, municipalities, and communities, coordinating stormwater outreach programming, leading the DuPage Nature Rx Coalition, and curating the DuPage Environmental Summit each year. Amy is an accomplished public speaker, facilitator program manager, and strategic thinker. Amy holds advanced degrees in Biomimicry, Business Administration, and Architecture.

Learn more about the Conservation@Home Professional Training: Small-Scale Native Landscapes workshops here!

FAQ Did you know?

Conservation Education Sustainability Community Local

Where

850 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove, IL, USA

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The Conservation Foundation

Simply put, we save land and we save rivers, and we’ve been at it for more than 50 years. Founded in 1972, The Conservation Foundation is one of the region’s oldest and largest not-for-profit land and watershed conservation organizations dedicated to preserving and restoring open space, protecting rivers and watersheds and promoting stewardship of the environment in northeastern Illinois. We focus our work in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties, but have also had the honor of working on significant projects in Cook, DeKalb, Grundy and LaSalle Counties.

FAQ

Why are native plants the focus of this training and how do they support Conservation@Home’s goals?

Native plants provide multiple benefits in small-scale landscapes: they use less irrigation, reduce runoff and improve rainwater management, support pollinators and local wildlife, and are more resilient to local pests and climate conditions. This training teaches practical ways to design and install native-focused projects that advance Conservation@Home’s goals of healthier, climate-resilient yards and communities while giving professionals marketable, sustainable solutions to offer clients.

How can I prepare to get the most from the workshop and webinars?

Complete the recorded webinars beforehand so you arrive ready for hands-on practice. Bring a notebook or tablet for measurements and notes, a portfolio or photos of past projects (to discuss real cases), a tape measure, a camera or phone for site photos, and a plant ID app if you use one. Familiarize yourself with local native plant lists and any client incentives in your service area so you can ask targeted questions.

What specific skills and takeaways will help me implement native landscapes for clients immediately?

You’ll leave with practical design strategies for small sites, plant selection and layering techniques, installation best practices (planting, soil prep, erosion control), and maintenance plans tailored to small properties. Expect templates or examples for planting plans and seasonal maintenance schedules, guidance on estimating labor/materials, and client-education talking points to explain long-term benefits and expected timelines.

How should I communicate the value of native landscapes to homeowners and small-business clients to win more projects?

Use concise, evidence-based talking points: lower long‑term maintenance and watering needs, improved stormwater management, increased biodiversity and curb appeal, and potential cost‑share or incentive programs. Bring visuals — before/after photos, simple planting plans, and typical maintenance timelines. Offer a phased implementation option and clear ROI examples (reduced irrigation, less lawn maintenance) to address budget and scheduling concerns.

Are there weather- or safety-related precautions I should take for the in-person workshop?

Dress in layers and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes or boots suitable for uneven or muddy ground. Bring sun protection (hat, sunscreen), insect/tick repellent, and a refillable water bottle. If you have allergies to pollen or insect stings, bring necessary medications (e.g., antihistamines, EpiPen). Expect hands-on activities—gloves will be useful—and follow facilitator guidance on safe tool use and social distancing or health protocols that may be in place.

Did you know?

Native plants are the foundation of healthy local ecosystems — they provide the specific food, shelter and host plants that native birds, butterflies and other wildlife depend on.

National Wildlife Federation — Native Plants: https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/About/Native-Plants

Replacing turf or hardscape with native plantings and rain gardens reduces stormwater runoff and filters pollutants, helping prevent local flooding and protecting water quality.

U.S. EPA — What is Green Infrastructure?: https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/what-green-infrastructure

Once established, native landscapes typically need less irrigation, fertilizer and pesticide input than non‑native ornamental plantings — saving time and money for homeowners and businesses.

University of Illinois Extension — Native plants need less care and water: https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/garden-sense/2018-04-12/native-plants-need-less-care-and-water

Even small native-planted patches, containers or pollinator plots can significantly boost local pollinator and beneficial insect populations — your yard or a single lot can be meaningful habitat.

Xerces Society — Gardening for Pollinators: https://xerces.org/bring-back-the-pollinators/gardening-for-pollinators

Native vegetation increases landscape resilience to extreme weather and helps store carbon in soil and plant biomass, contributing to local climate-change adaptation efforts.

The Nature Conservancy — Nature-based solutions for climate change: https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-insights/perspectives/nature-based-solutions-for-climate-change/

Many municipalities and utilities offer incentives, rebates or stormwater-credit programs for native landscaping, rain gardens and other green infrastructure — making projects more affordable for clients.

U.S. EPA — Green Infrastructure Funding & Financing: https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/green-infrastructure-funding-opportunities