All of Our 2026 Speaker Series Events will take place during our monthly members' meetings which take place on the fourth Tuesday of each month

January to May and September to October 

(there are no speaker events in June, July, August or December)

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Doors open at 6:00pm, and the meetings start promptly at 6:30pm

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(NOT A MEMBER - BUT WISH TO ATTEND - NOT A PROBLEM!  (THERE IS A NOMINAL FEE OF $5. AT THE DOOR TO ATTEND A SPEAKER EVENT. BUT WHY NOT JOIN US FOR ONLY $15 ANNUALLY FOR A MEMBERSHIP AND ATTEND ALL OUR SPEAKER EVENTS)

 

 

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Community Centre

14 Anderson Lane

Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

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​​January 27 - Joanna Paul, Xerces Society Ambassador

 

Bring Back the Pollinators: Whether You are a Gardener or Not, Learn Surprising Ways We Each Can Make a Difference.

 

As a homeowner, a gardener, or as someone who wants to help address the biodiversity crisis happening today, learn a variety of simple things that each of us can do, and how these can make a big impact to bring back wildlife - especially pollinators.

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Join Joanna Paul, Xerces Society Ambassador, who will have slides, props, and interesting stories to share, as well as a wealth of free handouts, plus examples of many good resources, all to address this theme. 

 

​The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is an international nonprofit organization that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. It is a science-based organization, with key program areas that include pollinator conservation, and reducing pesticide use and impacts.​

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February 24 - Darrell Bley - Niagara Parks School of Horticulture

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Bulbs in Bloom - A Hands-On Demo

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Join Darrell Bley,  a hands-on look at spring bulbs! Our speaker will invite three volunteers to help build a layered bulb planter while sharing simple tips on planting, care, and creative ideas. At the end, the finished planters will be raffled off—just in time to bring a touch of spring home.

 

Darrell Bley is the instructor and curator of the woody plant collections at Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and School of Horticulture. With over 37 years of experience, he is known for his practical teaching and dedication to student growth. He was named Outstanding Educator of the Year in 2020.

 

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March 24 - Catherine McGill

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Ground Gets Lower Every Year: Tips & Tools for the Ageing Gardener

 

Gardening doesn’t have to slow down as we get older—it just means finding smarter, easier ways to do the things we love. Join Catherine McGill to learn practical tips and tools to help you keep enjoying your garden without the strain. From adjusting your routine to using handy helpers, it’s all about making gardening comfortable, fun, and doable at any age, because no matter how many years go by, the joy of gardening should always stay strong.

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​​Our guest speaker, likes to describe herself as “aging, round, and full of humour in a nutshell.” Over the years, she’s worn many hats—chef, blacksmith, horse trainer, riding instructor—but the one that really stands out is their 40-plus years running a garden maintenance business, mostly working with seniors who became like family.

 

She is also a trained horticultural and design judge and has been deeply involved in the gardening community, serving as Director of District 6 for the OHA and now returning as 2nd Vice President. Though officially retired from paid work, she’s still very much “once a volunteer, always a volunteer,” managing Facebook gardening groups and helping to keep other judges up to date.

 

She lives by a simple motto: if you can’t find the humour in what you do, then why do it at all?

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April 28 - Kevin Kavanaugh and Dylan Cowan, South Coast Gardens

 

The Allure of Azaleas and Rhododendrons

 

Discover the beauty and diversity of azaleas and rhododendrons with renowned plantsman Kevin Kavanagh. Learn how to select, plant, and care for these spectacular flowering shrubs—from choosing varieties suited to Niagara’s climate to creating the right soil conditions for lasting colour and producing vigorous plant health. Join us for an evening that will enrich both your garden and your appreciation of these elegant shrubs.

 

Kevin Kavanagh, owner of South Coast Gardens and Consulting. Kevin’s been a gardener and birder for most of his life, but early on, he worked with national conservation groups like World Wildlife Fund Canada and Nature Conservancy Canada, helping protect habitats and develop stewardship programs.

 

These days, Kevin helps Birds Canada with their ‘Gardening for Birds’ project and coordinates the Gardening for Nature program with the Grand Erie Master Gardeners.

  

Dylan joined South Coast Gardens in the spring of 2025 and has proven himself to be an effective communicator on both native plants and garden design and care.

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Kevin and Dylan will also share stunning photographs from the gardens that surround the nursery and provide insights into how to effectively use them in garden design and use companion plantings for year-round landscape impact.

 

You’ll often find Kevin and Dylan leading workshops where they love introducing gardeners to native plants that support pollinators, birds, and many other kinds of wildlife. 

 

 

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May 26 - John Reynolds

 

Bring Your Garden Worms!

 

We’re adding a hands-on twist to May’s program. Our speaker, John Warren Reynolds, invites members to bring along a few worms from their gardens for identification and discussion.

Please place your worms in a small, non-returnable container and label with:

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• Your name and email
   

• Exact location of discovery
   

• Date collected
   

• Notes on their habitat (soil type, moisture, compost, under leaves, etc.)

 

Why the worm focus? John has spent more than 55 years studying earthworms and their role in soil health and ecosystems. With over 570 publications across 11 disciplines, he is recognized internationally for his expertise. John will share why worms are essential allies in our gardens, how to spot invasive species such as the Asian jumping worm, and what their presence tells us about soil conditions.

 

Worms may be small, but they play a mighty role in keeping our landscapes thriving. Don’t miss this chance for a lively, practical, and interactive session that digs into the world beneath our feet.

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Often overlooked, these humble creatures are essential partners for gardeners and nature enthusiasts alike.

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​September 22 - Elizabeth Schleicher 

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Grow Gorgeous Roses with Elizabeth Schleicher

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Expect an inspiring presentation by rose expert Elizabeth Schleicher, who will share her tried‑and‑true tips for choosing, planting, and nurturing roses that thrive in local gardens.  

 

Whether you’re a dedicated gardener or a budding enthusiast, come learn how to make your roses bloom beautifully all season long!

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Join Elizabeth Schleicher for her presentation - Grow Gorgeous Roses. A lifelong gardener and passionate lover of roses, Elizabeth brings both expertise and enthusiasm to the art of growing roses that truly thrive in our region. She’ll share practical insights on soil preparation, pruning, disease prevention, and choosing varieties that combine beauty with resilience.

 

Drawing from her own experience cultivating stunning blooms and working with local garden groups, Elizabeth will inspire you to see beautiful roses as both rewarding and attainable. Whether you’re new to roses or seeking to refine your skills, this talk promises to leave you ready to fill your garden with colour and fragrance.

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October 27 - Rose Odell

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Discover the Art of Pressed Botanical Note Cards

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Learn how to create one-of-a-kind note cards using pressed floral and foliage materials gathered from around the world.  In this session we welcome Rose Odell for her creative presentation, Discover the Art of Pressed Botanical Note Cards. Rose blends her love of gardening and artistry to transform flowers and foliage into elegant, handcrafted stationery that captures the beauty of nature in every design. Rose will demonstrate her techniques for pressing and preserving botanical materials, arranging them into compositions, and assembling beautiful note cards and keepsakes. 

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Our hands-on session will guide you through simple design techniques, material preparation, and creative layouts that celebrate the beauty of nature in miniature form. All materials and supplies will be provided—just bring your imagination.

 

Come for inspiration, stay for conversation, and leave with a set of your own beautifully crafted stationary.

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November 24 -  Annual General Meeting 

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(This is A Members Only Event)​​​​​​​

 

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