3/12 Lecture: Doug Tallamy + Garden Resources Fair
On Thursday, March 12, 2026, The Nature Lab and the RISD Staff Council Growing Together project presented an afternoon of ecological excitement for members of the RISD community. The day's activities began with a talk by renowned entomologist and author, Dr. Doug Tallamy, from 12:00 - 1:00 PM in the Prov-Wash Auditorium, and the Growing Together Gardening Resources Fair followed in the Prov-Wash Lobby from 1:15 - 3:00 PM.
About the talk (12:00 - 1:00 PM): Doug Tallamy kicked off the afternoon with a special talk on his initiative, Homegrown National Park. According to Dr. Tallamy, "Our parks, preserves, and remaining wildlands – no matter how grand in scale – are too small and separated from one another to sustain the native trees, plants, insects, and animals on which our ecosystems depend. We can fix this problem by practicing conservation outside of wildlands, where we live, work, shop, farm, and ranch. Thus, the concept for Homegrown National Park: a national challenge to create diverse ecosystems in our yards, communities, farms, and surrounding lands by reducing lawn, planting native, and removing invasive species. The goal of HNP is to create a national movement to restore 20 million acres with natives, an area representing ½ of what is now in lawn, as well as millions more acres in agriculture and woodlots. We are at a critical point where we are losing so many native plant and animal species that our life support systems are in jeopardy. However, if many people make small changes, we can restore healthy ecological networks and weather the changes ahead."
About the Garden Resources Fair (1:15 - 3:00 PM): The Staff Council Growing Together initiative hosted its first-ever Garden Resources Fair, featuring 12 exhibitors from local community gardens, planting initiatives, and eco-oriented nonprofits. Attendees learned about the local resources for making an impact in their neighborhoods, and participated in a number of gardening-related activities like seed sowing and soil testing.
About the speaker: Doug Tallamy is the T. A. Baker Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, where he has authored 118 research publications and has taught insect related courses for 45 years. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities. His books include Bringing Nature Home, The Living Landscape, co-authored with Rick Darke, Nature's Best Hope, a New York Times Best Seller, The Nature of Oaks, winner of the American Horticultural Society’s 2022 book award, and his latest book How Can I Help. In 2021 he cofounded Homegrown National Park with Michelle Alfandari (HomegrownNationalPark.org). His awards include recognition from The Garden Writer’s Association, Audubon, The National Wildlife Federation, Allegheny College, Ecoforesters, The Garden Club of America, The Herb Society, and The American Horticultural Association.
