Spring program: Replacing invasives with natives for more sustainable landscapes

March 12, 2024| Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Events, LHF Environmental & Cultural Center

By: Donna Macalle-Holly

Join us on April 25th (the evening before the launch of our native plant sale!), for an informative program led by Mike Van Clef from Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space. During the presentation, Mike will delve into a diverse array of native plant species, emphasizing those that resemble or replace popular invasive species. He will guide us through the art of selecting native plants tailored to specific functions such as screening, foundation plantings, and shade provision. Cultivated into landscapes from rustic meadow patches to refined formal gardens, Mike will highlight the pivotal role of natives in nurturing biodiversity, serving as a vital resource for birds, bees, and butterflies. Additionally, he will offer invaluable insights into choosing deer-resistant varieties and innovative strategies for safeguarding flora from deer. 

Come explore native plants with us and discover practical approaches to cultivating thriving, sustainable landscapes that enrich our lives and the environment. 

Program Presenter

Mike Van Clef is the Stewardship Director at the Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space and also serves as the Program Director for their Invasive Species Strike Team. He co-founded the Invasive Species Strike Team in 2008 to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of invasive species management efforts. Holding a Ph.D. in ecology from Rutgers University, Mike brings over 25 years of experience in land stewardship, planning, and research to his role. Throughout his career, he has worked extensively on evaluating and managing both rare and invasive species and has amassed a wealth of knowledge on deer management strategies. Mike has consulted with over 30 organizations in New Jersey, including the New Jersey Invasive Species Council, for which he authored the New Jersey Strategic Management Plan for Invasive Species.

Program Details

• Thursday, April 25 – 7 pm (doors open at 6:30)
• Lake Hopatcong Foundation, 125 Landing Road, Landing, NJ
• FREE - donations appreciated!
• Registration is required (form below)

This program has concluded and registration is closed.