Native Plants at Noon
Third Thursdays in 2024
Live on Zoom
Take a virtual hike with experts from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) to view treasured native landscapes throughout Missouri. Explore the gardens of the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center with Cydney Ross, outdoor education manager for Deep Roots. This monthly series features a live look at native plants of interest throughout the year across Missouri. You will learn helpful tips for your native garden and be inspired by unique natural spaces to explore throughout Missouri!
Native Plants at Noon occurs monthly on the third Thursday of the month at 12pm Central time.
Webinar Host
Cydney Ross
Cydney has always had a naturalist spirit, with her earliest memories hiking, camping, and gardening with her family. Her endless curiosity for wildlife, stewardship for the earth, and professional background in fine arts has led her to merge these passions to inspire others to get outdoors.
Upcoming Episodes:
October 17th – Native Plants at Noon: On the Road to Maple Woods Natural Area. Take a second look at Gladstone’s mature maple/oak forest to see how it’s progressed since our visit in the spring. MDC Community Forester, Chuck Conner, discusses forest ecology and the changes seen in this old growth forest.
November 21st – Native Plants at Noon: At the Discovery Center. Shift your perspective of garden aesthetics with Cydney Ross, outdoor education manager with Deep Roots KC. This program features a live look at native gardens and how to maintain them for winter beauty. In this episode they discuss the aesthetics and wildlife benefits of native gardens as we transition to winter.
December 19th – Native Plants at Noon: At the Discovery Center. Winter may seem sleepy, but native shrubs and trees provide crucial habitat and food sources for local songbirds. Guided by Cydney Ross, outdoor education manager with Deep Roots KC, this program features a live look at native plants that support wildlife year-round.
Previous Episodes 2024:
January 18th – Native Plants at Noon: At the Discovery Center. Subtle colors and bold textures stand out in the landscape this time of year. Take a virtual tour of the gardens at the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center. Guided by Cydney Ross, outdoor program manager with Deep Roots KC, this program features the beauty and benefits of native gardens in winter as well as Winter Sowing Seed tips.
February 15th – Native Plants at Noon: At the Discovery Center. Take in the winter beauty at the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center. Guided by Cydney Ross, outdoor program manager with Deep Roots KC, this program features a calming stroll among plants of winter interest.
March 21st – Native Plants at Noon: At the Discovery Center. Spring is stirring across the Midwest. Take a virtual tour of the native gardens at MDC’s Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center. Guided by native landscape specialist Alix Daniel and Cydney Ross, outdoor program manager with Deep Roots KC, this program features a live look at native sedges, grasses, and rushes. Learn how to add these native plants to your garden!
April 18th – Native Plants at Noon: On the Road to Maple Woods Natural Area. This mature maple/oak forest is recognized by the National Park Service as a significant Natural Area in Gladstone, Missouri. Learn with MDC experts why it is a popular spring destination to view migrant songbirds and wildflower displays.
May 16 – On the Road: Paintbrush Prairie & Forever Prairie Join natural history biologists, Krista Noel and Lisa San Diego from Missouri Department of Conservation as we take a closer look at early summer species seen at Paintbrush Prairie and Friendly Prairie Conservation Area near Cole Camp, Missouri.
June 20th – Native Plants at Noon: Primrose Prairie At the Discovery Center. Early summer blooms fill our landscape and support wildlife. Guided by Cydney Ross of Deep Roots KC and Madison Twite of MDC, this program features a live look at Primrose Prairie at the Discovery Center in its third growing season. Learn design considerations and stewardship practices of this prairie-inspired native garden.
July 18th – Native Plants at Noon: On the Road to Platte Ridge Park. Join Cassandra Messer Private Land Conservationist of MDC, for an insightful look between the life seen in a native landscape versus what we lose in a traditional turf lawn.
August 15th – Native Plants at Noon: On the Road to James A Reed. Join fisheries biologist, Caleb Pemberton from Missouri Department of Conservation as we learn more about aquatic plants native to Missouri. This episode will emphasize backyard pond species and homeowner management.
September 19th – Native Plants at Noon: KC Keystone Species at the Discovery Center. Native flora and fauna have developed intricate relationships over millennia. Native plants provide food, shelter, and places to rear young for our native fauna. Keystone plant species support most caterpillar species and specialist native bee species. They are the “Most Valuable Players” in our natural communities. Without regional keystone plants, wildlife would decline or cease to exist.
Guided by Cydney Ross, outdoor education manager with Deep Roots KC, this program features a live look at Kansas City-specific keystone species to add to your native habitat gardens.
Previously, on Native Plants at Noon…
This free series includes helpful tips on native plant identification, wildlife value, and management for your native garden as well as discovering treasured and rare conservation areas throughout Missouri.
Native Plants at Noon – Episode One
Explore native plants for winter interest and wildlife benefit.
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Two
Native garden design, winter seed sowing, and some sweet dance moves.
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Three
Winter “weeds” and what you should do with them.
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Four
Spring blooms and garden tips with Alix Daniel and Cydney Ross.
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Five
Native Plants at Noon presents an Earth Day Celebration!
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Six
More spring blooms, three kinds of native iris, and advice on aphids.
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Seven
Coneflowers galore, plus tips on enjoying nature safely in the heat.
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Eight
Coneflowers and compass plants on a rainy afternoon at the Discovery Center.
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Nine
“Darn Yellow Composites” and why we love them!
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Ten
Celebrating monarchs and the nectar-rich plants they love!
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Eleven
SpoOoOoOoky October–Autumn Trees and Shrubs
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Twelve
Dealing With Invasive Species and Supporting Overwintering Insects
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Thirteen
Using native plants for holiday and indoor arrangements.
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Fourteen
Native garden design
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Sixteen
Native Plants & Edibles
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Seventeen
On the Road: Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Eighteen
Tour the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center.
Native Plants at Noon On The Road – Episode Nineteen
Berrier Conservation Area
Speaker: Andy Carmack, private lands manager
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Twenty
Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center
Speakers: Alix Daniel and Cydney Ross
Native Plants at Noon On The Road – Episode Twenty-One
Sand Prairie Conservation Area
Speaker: Angela Pierce
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Twenty-Two
Speakers: Alix Daniel and Cydney Ross
Photo credit: Mary Nemecek
Native Plants at Noon On the Road – Episode Twenty-Three
Mingo National Wildlife Refuge
Speaker: AJ Hendershott
Native Plants at Noon On the Road – Episode Twenty-Four
Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center
Speakers: Alix Daniel and Cydney Ross
Native Plants at Noon On the Road – Episode Twenty-Five
Bob Brown Conservation Area
Speaker: Sean Cleary
Native Plants at Noon On the Road – Episode Twenty-Six
Twin Pines Conservation Area
Speakers: Reva Dow, Mike Keeley, Gary Gognan
Native Plants at Noon On the Road – Episode Twenty-Seven
Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center
Speakers: Cydney Ross and Pat Whalen
Native Plants at Noon On the Road – Episode Twenty-Eight
Bluebell Valley
Speakers: Alix Daniel, Cydney Ross and Pat Whalen
Native Plants at Noon On the Road – Episode Twenty-Nine
Wildcat Glade, Shoal Creek Conservation Area
Speakers: Jessie Ballard
Native Plants at Noon On the Road – Episode Thirty
Primrose Prairie Tour
Speakers: Alix Daniel and Cydney Ross
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Thirty One
Ask me Anything! Episode 1
Speakers: Alix Daniel and Cydney Ross
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Thirty Two
A live look at some of our Sweet Sixteen: Most Likely To Succeed plants
Speakers: Alix Daniel and Cydney Ross
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Thirty Three
Poosey Conservation Area
Speakers: Samantha Anderson & Dillon Freiburger
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Thirty Four
Discovery Center Bioswales
Speakers: Alix Daniel and Cydney Ross
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Thirty Five
On the Road to Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge
Speakers: Cydney Ross and Jim Pierson, MDC Private Land Conservationist
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Thirty Six
Winter Beauty in the Landscape
Speakers: Alix Daniel and Cydney Ross
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Thirty Seven
Winter Seed Sowing Tips at the Discovery Center
Speaker: Cydney Ross
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Thirty Eight
Sedges, Rushes and Grasses at the Discovery Center
Speakers: Alix Daniel & Cydney Ross
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Thirty Nine
On the Road to Maple Woods Natural Area
Speaker: Chuck Conner, Community Forester, MDC
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Forty
On the Road to Paintbrush Prairie with MDC
Speaker: Lisa San Diego, Assistant Natural History Biologist, MDC
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Forty-One
Primrose Prairie
Speaker: Madison Twite, MDC
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Forty-two
Habitat Assessment: Lawn vs. Native Habitat Garden
Native Plants at Noon – Episode Forty-three
Pond Stewardship and Aquatic Native Species
Speakers: Caleb Pemberton and Kelsey Brown, MDC