Despite the persistent snow in our yards, Maine Audubon has been busy tracking and sharing sure signs of a fast-approaching spring — Red-winged Blackbirds, pussy willows, and woodchucks, just to name a few.
Another rite of spring is upon us, too. The Maine Flower Show takes place at Thompson’s Point starting March 22. The expo runs through Sunday, March 25th.
At this year’s event, Maine Audubon joins dozens of landscapers, horticulturalists, retailers, and nonprofits in looking ahead to another exciting growing season in Maine. The show promises 13 display gardens; 115 exhibits of plants, hardscape, arbor and garden supplies; and a full schedule of popular workshops and seminars.
Maine Audubon will have a booth promoting our Native Plants Sale & Festival on June 16th, as well as our “Bringing Nature Home” initiative (based on the best-selling book of that title by Dr. Doug Tallamy). We hope to engage people and communities in the restoration of native plants and the critical ecosystems they support, especially in the developed landscapes around most of us.
The other vendors at the Flower Show are great allies in transforming our gardens, yards, and parks to better support breeding birds and other wildlife. Interacting with up to 20,000 prospective Flower Show attendees provides a rich opportunity to influence the marketplace as well.
If you can make it to the Maine Flower Show, be sure to stop by the Maine Audubon booth! You can purchase books and Wild Seed Project seeds, and learn more about our plants sale and other efforts. This year, Maine Audubon will also offer a membership special: Those joining or renewing at the family level ($50 or above) will receive a FREE copy of either Bringing Nature Home by Doug Tallamy or A Monarch Butterfly Story by Melissa Kim. Either book, as well as your other membership benefits, will get you and your family plugged in to how you can steward wildlife at home this growing season.
Hope to see you at the Maine Flower Show this weekend!
