I speak before garden clubs and community groups on “Native & Invasive Plants”.
The talk is modified depending upon which location it’s intended to address: the Mid-Atlantic or Long Island, NY. This lively talk is roughly 45 slides in 45 minutes followed by a Q and A session, and centers around these topics:
- What is our local ecosystem and how can we support it?
- What is the difference between native, non-native, and invasive plants?
- What is the importance of native plants and what changes can we make on our own properties, as well as our municipal and commercial lands?
- What is the problem with invasive plants, how did we get here, and what can we do?
- Focus on common invasive plants (which may growing in your yard now). How to identify them and distinguish them from their native look-alikes.
- Learn the tools, techniques, and timing for removing them – and replacing them with natives!
Loved the talk! I’ve never heard it all explained in such a compelling way. It begs the question: Why aren’t we ALL weed warriors?! Your knowledge accumulation on this is truly impressive!
Danna delivered a talk to the Westhampton Garden Club in 2025. The topic of ”invasives” is not always inspiring – we know that getting rid of them can be daunting, and there’s the issue of knowing an invasive from a desirable native plant. Danna was able to provide very clear examples of invasives that grow in our environment (and our yards), and accompanied her talk with a “show and tell” with examples of invasives and their desirable cousins. Danna makes the issue appear manageable and she motivates people to want to take action. This is “good medicine” that helps us to be better custodians of our environment.
Danna is a dynamic and engaging speaker with great knowledge and experience in invasive species and native habitat restoration. She presents complex topics in a clear, organized, and accessible way for all audiences. The Quogue Wildlife Refuge has hosted Danna multiple times for both educational talks and hands-on invasive plant removal outings, and each experience has been excellent. Her expertise in identifying invasive species—especially comparing them with similar-looking native plants—along with her practical guidance on supporting wildlife and transitioning landscapes from invasives to natives, is invaluable. We highly recommend Danna and look forward to working with her again.