The free online event features topics for both experienced native gardeners and those interested in learning more about “gardening for life.”

The symposium also includes a presentation by writer Nancy Lawson, author of “The Humane Gardener.” A book club discussion of “The Humane Gardener” will be held at 6:30 p.m. April 19 in conjunction with the symposium.

Lawson is a columnist for All Animals magazine, a habitat consultant, a speaker on garden ecology and the creator of HumaneGardener.com. She founded Humane Gardener to promote creative planting strategies and other animal-friendly landscaping methods that help gardeners coexist with wildlife.

The April 15 sessions begin at 7 p.m. with a talk by Master Gardener Maria Janowiak, “Introduction to Native Gardening,” a primer on starting a native plant garden in the Upper Peninsula.

Author Nancy Lawson will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Keweenaw Native Plant Symposium. The event will be April 15, 22 and 29. (Photo courtesy of Marcia Goodrich)

At 7 p.m. April 22, Sanders, of Sanders-Czapski Associates, will present “Native Plants and Storm Water Management at the Marquette Food Co-op.” His talk will be followed by “Native Plants and Native Insects” by Tara Bal, assistant professor of forest health at Michigan Technological University.

At 7 p.m., April 29, Brian Black, a biology and environmental science instructor at Bay College, will present “Sustainable Gardening,” followed by Lawson’s keynote address, “The Humane Gardener: Nurturing Habitat for Wildlife.”

Lawson will discuss practical ways to put humane gardening philosophies into action by protecting nesting sites for insects, birds and mammals; eliminating unintended hazards; identifying and nurturing plants that provide food and shelter; restoring habitat with minimal disturbance to animals; and humanely resolving conflicts with mammals and other commonly misunderstood creatures.

To learn more and register for the symposium and book club, visit keweenaw.wildones.org and click on 2021 Keweenaw Native Plant Symposium. Attendance is free, but participants must register separately for each evening of talks. After registering, an individual will receive an email with a link to each evening’s webinar.

The symposium is hosted by the Keweenaw Land Trust, the Keweenaw Garden Club and the Wild Ones Keweenaw chapter.