Upcoming Episodes:
Fungus Fueled Prairie Health
August 6 · Thursday · 12-1pm
Could the key to more successful prairie restorations be hidden beneath our feet? Join Deep Roots and Johnson County Parks and Recreation District as we explore the fascinating world of native Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) with Dr. Liz Koziol of the University of Kansas. Her research focuses on how restoring AMF improves floristic quality, increase native plant diversity, and help suppress weeds in new prairies. Learn how prairie restoration projects at Big Bull Creek Park and Shawnee Mission Park are contributing to groundbreaking long-term research on AMF application methods. We’ll dig into the role of soil microbial communities, discuss practical approaches for reintroducing native AMF, and review the first two years of results from experimental prairie plots.
DIY Simple Stonework
August 20 · Thursday · 12-1pm
Adding hardscape to your landscape can create visual cohesion and provide practical opportunities to maintain your garden. Join Kyle Johnson of Bur Oak Ventures for a practical approach to basic natural stone hardscape design and installation. In this Curious by Nature episode, we’ll learn more about how to DIY small stone walls, dry creek beds, flagstone foot paths, and more.
Seed Stewardship & Invasive Species Management
September 3 · Thursday · 12-1pm
Despite urbanization, Kansas City has a few remaining old growth prairies, light-dappled woodlands, shaded forests, and rich wetlands. Bridging the Gap’s Kansas City WildLands program conserves, protects, and restores these remnants of original landscape by connecting people to steward the land. Learn about KC WildLands’ community conservation efforts to collect native seeds to distribute through public lands and their ongoing efforts to manage invasive species in the landscape.
Growing Native Plants Sustainably
September 17 · Thursday · 12-1pm
Sow Wild Natives is one of Kansas City’s oldest native plant nursery who grows ethically sourced native plants from seeds in our ecoregion. Not just what, but how they grow contributes to a more sustainable and beautiful world. Take a virtual tour with founder, Tracy Twombly as we glean the process of growing native plants from seed and walk through demonstration gardens with varying goals. Gain inspiration on which plants to add to your garden this fall.
Fear, Facts, and Fascination: Changing How We See Insects
October 1 · Thursday · 12-1pm
Insects play essential roles in ecosystems, yet many are misunderstood, especially in our gardens during the fall. This presentation by Tamra Reall of MU Extension Office, invites you to look beyond fear and learn what insects need to survive seasonal changes. We’ll explore commonly misunderstood arthropods and learn how fall practices, like early garden clean-up, can unintentionally harm beneficial species. We will also discuss when intervention is appropriate, including insects that pose real health risks or ecological concerns. This presentation will share practical, research-based guidance for making fall garden decisions that support insects while maintaining healthy landscapes.
About Curious by Nature
Explore the wild and wonderful native plants and landscapes across the Midwest each first and third Thursday at 12pm CST.
Choose your own adventure! Register to the entire series or scroll down to register for individual episodes.
Questions? Contact cydney@deeprootskc.org
CBN is sponsored by:
