November 13, 2025
Student Union Ballroom (Room 330)
2100 Hillside Road, Storrs, CT
8:45 am - 3:15 pm
To be added to our email list for future events, please contact alyssa.siegel-miles@uconn.edu.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the UConn Native Plants and Pollinators Conference!
If you would like to be sure to receive notification when registration for the UConn online Invasive Plant Certificate Course opens PLEASE SIGN UP TO RECEIVE NOTICE THROUGH OUR CONTACT FORM. (If you tried this form before, there was a glitch, but it works now. If you have already emailed me about this, you do not need to use the form.)
Speaker resources:
Tracy Zarrillo, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Email: Tracy.Zarrillo@ct.gov
Zarrillo, T.A., Stoner, K.A., and Ascher, J.S. (2025). Biodiversity of bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila) in Connecticut (USA). Zootaxa, 5586(1), 1-138. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5586.1.1
Sam Hoadley, Mt. Cuba Center
mtcubacenter.org/gardening-resources
mtcubacenter.org/research/trial-garden
Mia Maltz, PhD., Assistant Professor, University of Connecticut
psla.uconn.edu/person/mia-maltz
Andrew Brand, MS., Land and Garden Preserve
Instagram: instagram.com/andyjbrand
Jessica Lubell-Brand, PhD., Professor, University of Connecticut
psla.uconn.edu/person/jessica-lubell
Join us for an exciting day of presentations featuring current science-based research and information on supporting pollinators in managed landscapes. Learn how native plants support pollinator health throughout the year!
This program is designed for growers and other green industry professionals, landscape service providers, landscape architects and designers, town commissions, municipalities, and home gardeners.
Session topics:
Who are Connecticut’s Specialist Bees: Tracy Zarillo MS., Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Come learn about Connecticut’s specialist bees and the plants they need, as well as other common bees to watch for in the yard.
Soil Microbial Allies in Managed Systems: Mia Maltz, PhD., Assistant Professor, University of Connecticut
This presentation will highlight suburban soil ecology and how it impacts native plant and pollinator health.
Knockout Natives: Sam Hoadley, Mt. Cuba Center Botanic Garden
Top performers and favorites of Phlox, Echinacea, wild hydrangea, Carex, Amsonia, and Vernonia from Mt. Cuba Center’s research trials will be discussed.
Seeing Nature: Andrew Brand, MS., Land and Garden Preserve
Draw gardening inspiration from images of plant and pollinator interactions captured beautifully and like you’ve never seen before.
Native Landscape Plants with Local Roots: Jessica Lubell-Brand, PhD., Professor, University of Connecticut
Native shrub selections that were discovered in and originate from New England will be covered.
Early Registration (by October 15): $70
Regular Registration (after October 15): $80
College/University Matriculated Students: $25
Registration fee includes:
Continental Breakfast, Lunch, Refreshments
Admission to sessions
Pesticide recertification credits:
Cat./Cr. PA, 1A, 3A, 6, 7F / 4 Credits
Registration is nonrefundable.
Parking
Parking is not included in the registration fee. Registered attendees will receive parking instructions approximately two weeks before the conference.
Find additional parking information at park.uconn.edu.
Parking Directions:
Park in the South Parking Garage – 2366 Jim Calhoun Way, Storrs, CT 06269.
Upon parking in the garage, proceed to the payment kiosk on the 1st floor next to the elevators. Follow instructions on the screen and submit your credit card for payment. You will need to enter your license plate. We recommend paying for eight hours in the parking garage (8am-4pm) to cover the full conference schedule. The parking rate is $2/hour.
More Details available at KNOW BEFORE YOU GO (PDF).
This program is brought to you by:
Vickie Wallace and Alyssa Siegel-Miles, Dept. of Extension, and
Jessica Lubell-Brand and Mark Brand, Dept. of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture.
Questions?
Contact: Alyssa Siegel-Miles, Alyssa.Siegel-Miles@uconn.edu
If you require an accommodation to participate fully in this event, please email alyssa.siegel-miles@uconn.edu or conferences@uconn.edu and a staff member will contact you.
