April Reflections in the Garden
Topic: "Pollinator Gardens"
Our workshop on Pollinator Gardens will teach you everything you need to know to create a thriving habitat for bees, butterflies, and other essential pollinators. Learn how to choose the right plants, design a garden that attracts pollinators, and support their vital role in our ecosystems. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, this session will provide practical tips and inspiration to help you cultivate a vibrant, pollinator-friendly garden.
Speaker: Janine Kharey, President of Wild Ones and Butterfly Expert from St. Francisville
About the Speaker:
Janine Kharey is a dedicated educator, multimedia artist, Master Naturalist, Master Gardener, and the visionary founder of Wild Ones Greater Baton Rouge. Her lifelong passion for nature is vividly expressed through her role as curator of a stunning quarter-acre habitat in suburban East Baton Rouge Parish. This sanctuary, featuring over 225 native plant species, also serves as a haven for butterflies and other pollinators.
Janine’s commitment to conservation extends beyond her garden and backyard nursery where she grows plants for habitat gardens. She has created and expanded a native plant seed repository focusing on plants with local genetics, especially wild plants used by Lepidoptera as host plants. Her work has preserved species like Downy Lobelia, Narrowleaf Silk Grass, and Prairie False Foxglove, sharing seeds with growers and expanding awareness of their ecological value.
As the mother of two engineers working on innovative technologies in clean energy, Janine embodies a deep connection to environmental stewardship, inspiring others to embrace sustainability. Whether snapping GPS-tagged photos of pollinators visiting native plants or ethically collecting seeds to safeguard biodiversity, Janine’s efforts have left a lasting impact on Louisiana’s natural heritage.
Event Details:
April 7, 2025 from 12 pm to 1 pm at the Ione Burden Conference Center (4560 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809)
Reflections in the Garden is a monthly "lunch and learn" series presented by the Friends of LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens. The lectures are generally held on the first Monday of the month at noon at the Botanic Gardens.
Reflections in the Garden is live-streamed to members of the Friends of the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens through Microsoft Teams. In-person attendance is open to both members and nonmembers with registration.
