If you’re a Lewis Ginter Member you get early access to all the plants! The Spring Plant Sale is rain or shine and is held outside in Parking Lot B at the Garden! No admission fee required. Information below is for the main plant sale which starts at noon and continues the next day but all the other information is the same for the Members Only Special Event.

You are invited to join Capital Trees in celebrating Earth Day with an afternoon of interactive fun and education focused on why ecology is so important and all the great organizations in our community working to promote a healthier planet. We are also inviting the community to come check out Capital Trees’ newest project: The Hotchkiss Green. Capital Trees will be offering site tours, conversations on garden features/functions, an interactive “Passport” activity, fun giveaways, and more.

LERN will have a booth - come see us!

Join us for a day dedicated to one of Agecroft’s favorite things — plants!

Browse and purchase plants from local growers, chat with garden enthusiasts, speak with horticulture experts, enjoy food and drink from area vendors, and be sure to check out our interactive, family-friendly activity area!

LERN will be there selling its local ecotype native plants and to chat all about natives with you!

Garden admission is free on market day. (Admission to the house museum is available at the regular rates and may be reserved in advance online or in person.)

Picnics welcome. No pets, please.

Join us for a workshop at the East End Branch Library in Richmond.

Join the James River Association and LERN to learn about flora and fauna found along the James River. LERN and JRA staff will highlight plants and animals visible along the James during the summer months and share an update on the river’s health. Conservation tips that participants can implement at home will also be shared.

Registration is not required and event is free to the public.

Bring the whole family for Dominion Energy Family Easter at Maymont, a cherished Richmond event that’s 100 years in the making.

LERN will be in the Community Zone on the Carriage House Lawn. Come learn more about native plants with us and do a fun nature-inspired art activity to take home with you! Meet RVA’s local heroes and helpers including our very own Catey the Caterpillar!

General Admission is required to entry to the event and admission ticket comes with 3 activity tickets for ticketed activities. Advance tickets are recommended and can be purchased here directly from Maymont:

Join LERN, City of Richmond Parks & Rec and Friends of Bellemeade Park, to finish the native meadow at Bellmeade Park on the hillside above the ballfield.

We will be native plant plugs all grown by LERN. Come prepared to be standing in mud or actually a few inches of standing water, so waterproof boots are a must!

Meet at the Krouse St entrance to the park at the top of the hill. Parking available on Krouse St, Royal Ave, and inside the park. 

Kneepads, gloves, and digging knives will be provided but if you have your favorite pair of gloves bring thise

Dig It!, a brand new workshop series for gardeners from across our RVA community gardens. Each session offers a wealth of information and practical tips shared by experienced growers. Together, we’ll build skills, deepen our knowledge, and strengthen the connections that make our community flourish. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener, you’ll leave with inspiration (and maybe even a few new friends)!

Location: East End Library

Our first Dig It! workshop, will be taught by LERN and focus on why native plants are so important in our community gardens, our home gardens and everywhere else we can fit them in!

(Rescheduled from Dec 6th/Dec 16th due to snow/weather events )

Join LERN, City of Richmond Parks & Rec and Friends of Bellemeade Park, to continue to establish a native meadow at Bellmeade Park on the hillside above the ballfield.

We will be planting hundreds of native plant plugs as well as native shrubs provided by LERN. Come prepared to be raking, kneeling and digging in the dirt.

Meet at the Krouse St entrance to the park at the top of the hill. Parking available on Krouse St, Royal Ave, and inside the park. 

Gloves, tools, and water provided.

Join LERN, City of Richmond Parks & Rec and Friends of Bellemeade Park, to continue to establish a native meadow at Bellmeade Park on the hillside above the ballfield.

We will be planting hundreds of native plant plugs as well as native shrubs provided by LERN. Come prepared to be raking, kneeling and digging in the dirt.

Meet at the Krouse St entrance to the park at the top of the hill. Parking available on Krouse St, Royal Ave, and inside the park. 

Gloves, tools, and water provided.

Join LERN, City of Richmond Parks & Rec and Friends of Bellemeade Park, to continue to establish a native meadow at Bellmeade Park on the hillside above the ballfield.

We will be planting hundreds of native plant plugs as well as native shrubs provided by LERN. Come prepared to be raking, kneeling and digging in the dirt.

Meet at the Krouse St entrance to the park at the top of the hill. Parking available on Krouse St, Royal Ave, and inside the park. 

Gloves, tools, and water provided.

Join LERN and the Richmond Bee Keepers plant a Pollinator Garden at the Belmont Golf Course!

Tools and gloves will be provided but please bring your favorite pair of gloves if they fit you well as well as your favorite hand trowel if you have one you prefer. Dress to get dirty and make sure to wear closed toe shoes.

The Richmond Beekeepers Association is dedicated to the preservation of the art and science of beekeeping.  Established in 1949, it is the oldest beekeeping association in the Richmond Virginia area. 

The Belmont Gold Course is a facility run in partnership with First Tee of Richmond, which uses golf as the platform to strengthen the character of our community. In teaching life lessons and leadership skills in a fun, group setting for youth ages 5-18 regardless of background or previous experience, our courses build character.

We will be planting a variety of local ecotype native plant plugs in the area surrounding

Join LERN, City of Richmond Parks & Rec and Friends of Bellemeade Park, to continue to establish a native meadow at Bellmeade Park on the hillside above the ballfield.

We will be removing a tarp that was put down earlier this summer (to kill the existing grass), raking the dead grass away, sowing a cover crop and installing erosion control cloth (similar to the above photo). Come prepared to be raking, kneeling and digging in the dirt.

Meet at the Krouse St entrance to the park at the top of the hill. Parking available on Krouse St, Royal Ave, and inside the park. 

Gloves, tools, and water provided.

Later in the month and again on November 1 (and December 6 if needed) we will begin planting hundreds of native plant plugs as well as native shrubs provided by LERN. To sign up for these additional days, please sign up here: Conserve and Create

Join LERN as well as the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, the City of Richmond Parks & Recreation, Richmond Department of Public Utilities and Southside Releaf in planting two bioretention areas at Blackwell Park!

Volunteers will plant pollinators and shrubs in two bioretention areas designed to catch and filter stormwater in the park. 

Volunteers are encouraged to wear clothing appropriate for outside work - long sleeves, long pants, and close-toed shoes are recommended. Bring a water bottle. All necessary tools will be provided.

Street parking is surrounding the park on Maury and 15th Streets. Parking is also availalbe at the Blackwell Community Center across the street from the park. 

Join the James River Assocation for a day of environmental celebration and education!

Enjoy free paddle tours, explore educational booths from partner organizations and environmentally conscious vendors, grab a bite from local food trucks, participate in a community trash cleanup, and learn about sustainable living at our Rain Barrel Workshop & Raffle.  Family-friendly activities for all ages. Learn more and get involved!

LERN will have a booth providing education all about the importance of local ecotype native plants and will have some of our plants on display.

Join LERN at the Henrico County Master Gardener’s annual Pollinator Festival and Plant Sale!

LERN will provide educational outreach but will not be selling its plants.

Instead, the Master Gardeners will be selling plants from their own gardens at bargain prices!

Come join LERN at the second annual Spring Fest and Market on Saturday, May 10, 2025, aimed at spotlighting the organizations that make the Churcg Hill neighborhood special and bringing our community together.

LERN will have some of our local ecotype native plants for sale at our booth and will also be promoting the value, importance and beauty of native plants!

We hope you’ll join us to shop from local vendors, enjoy local food and drinks, and relax listening to music at beautiful Libby Hill Park. Plus, it’s Mothers Day Weekend so consider dropping by for some last minute gifts! (Plants make great gifts!)

Join LERN, City of Richmond Parks & Rec and Friends of Bellemeade Park, to finish planting a native meadow at Bellmeade Park on the hillside above the ballfield. We just need to finish up the area that was planted last fall; We will be planting a couple hundred of our native plant plugs. Meet at the Krouse St entrance to the park at the top of the hill. Parking available on Krouse St, Royal Ave, and inside the park. 

Come prepared to be kneeling and digging in the dirt. Gloves, tools, and water provided.

Conservation Landscaping for Improved Water Quality

Saturday, March 22nd

9-noon

Come and learn what you can do to make your landscape more sustainable and wildlife-friendly while protecting water quality.  Topics will include:

• Introduction to the Reedy Creek watershed and water quality

• Native plants and their vital role in healthy ecosystems

• Conservation landscaping solutions for stormwater runoff problems

• Site selection, preparation, plant selection, and maintenance for a successful conservation landscaping project

• Identification and removal methods for invasive plants

• Habitat restoration in Crooked Branch Ravine Park

The workshop will also include a walk to look at some native plants and invasive plants growing in Forest Hill Park and to identify potential stormwater issues.  Please come prepared with comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.

Workshop will be provided by Stacey Moulds and Bill Shanabruch of Local Ecotype Richmond Natives (LERN) and Suzette Lyon of the Reedy Creek Coalition (RCC).

Space is limited and registration is required.  Registration is $15 and will support the work of Local Ecotype Richmond Natives and the Reedy Creek Coalition.

Join The James River Park System Invasive Plant Task Force for our second annual RISAW Documentary Screening on Monday, 3/3/25 at Studio Two Three.

• The feature documentary starts at approximately 6pm, followed by a panel discussion, beginning around 7pm.

• Panelists: Kevin Heffernan, biologist, VA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation Natural Heritage; Bill Shanabruch, president and co-founder LERN (Local Ecotype Richmond Natives); and Kristi Orcutt, owner and herd manager, RVA Goats. Moderated by Laura Greenleaf, IPTF founder and member of JRPS invasive management team.

• All ages are welcome, but the target audience of the documentary is high school to adult.

• More info: https://jamesriverpark.org/events/risaw-film-screening-panel-discussion/

Join LERN and the James River Park Service Invasive Species Task Force as we kick off the third annual Richmond Invasive Species Awareness Week (RISAW), at Pony Pasture with informative nature walks, invasive species quizzes, RVA Goats, volunteer opportunities, and more! This event is family friendly and open to all ages without registration. There is plenty of parking in the Pony Pasture Parking Lot located at 7310 Riverside Drive.

Approximate Schedule:

1PM: Invasive Species Removal Volunteer Event (advance registration required)

1:15PM: Guided Nature Walk led by Joey Thompson of DCR

2PM: Guided Nature Walk led by Kevin Heffernan of DCR

2:30PM: Chat with Kristi Orcutt of RVA Goats about the benefits of using sheep and goats to control invasive plants

For more information about the entire weeklong event: Invasives Week - JRPS Invasive Plant Task Force