Community Classes
2026 Classes
Our community classes are open to everyone and are designed to teach you how to design, plant and maintain a native plant garden. Whether you are transitioning an existing garden, adding to your current landscape or starting from scratch, our classes will help you feel confident in choosing plants that meet your design aesthetics while supporting our native ecology.
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Native Plant Theory (Native Plant 101)
Saturday, April 11, 2026, 10am-11:30pm
Location: WinterCreek Nursery
Cost: Free
Class Description: This free class is ideal for people new to Central Oregon who want to learn more about our native plant ecology or to people who are just getting started with a native plant garden. The class will cover the different types of native plants in Central Oregon, how they are specially adapted to this area, and how they differ from ornamental plants and cultivars you may find at conventional nurseries. We will also discuss what it means to take an ecological approach to landscaping and how you can use our local ecoregions and plant associations to plan your garden. This class is taught by Ben Snyder, our Ecology Director and WinterCreek Nursery Manager.
Native Plant Practice (Native Plant 102)
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 10am-11:30pm
Location: WinterCreek Nursery
Cost: Free
Class Description: A continuation of Native Plant Theory, this class focuses on practical application and gives attendees the necessary knowledge to know what to plant where. Ideally attendees will have taken Native Plant Theory or have a working knowledge of our native plants and ecology. Starting with the key practices of ecology-based landscaping, this course will also cover how to identify, create and use microclimates to support specific plants, and how to plant in Central Oregon to maximize your success rate. We will also briefly cover some strategies for incorporating native plants into your current landscape focusing on what to keep and what to remove. This class is taught by Ben Snyder, our Ecology Director and WinterCreek Nursery Manager.
Transitioning Your Existing Garden
Saturday, May 16, 2026, 10am-11:30pm
Location: WinterCreek Nursery
Cost: $20
Class Description: How to transition your garden from non-natives to native plants was our most requested topic in 2025, so this year we have created this class to cover different approaches you might take to build a sustainable, native plant garden. From starting with a blank slate to replacing one plant at a time and approaches in between, we will cover important considerations for creating a long-term plan for your space. This class will look at how to choose plants to remove and what you can replace them with, as well as how to choose plants that will grow next to existing plants or how you can create microclimates to accommodate something different. Finally this class will briefly cover local resources that can help you with your transition. This course is taught by Rick Martinson, PhD, who has been designing and building native plant landscapes in Central Oregon for over 25 years, and Rachael Relph, HDHC’s Community Engagement Coordinator.
Creating Gardens for Wildlife
Saturday, June 6, 2026, 10am-11:30pm
Location: WinterCreek Nursery
Cost: $20
Class Description: We are thrilled to partner with Think Wild for a new course this year on how you can create a native plant garden that will maximize your efforts to support wildlife. Ideal for anyone looking to attract birds, pollinators, lizards and more, this class will cover the structural elements that local animals need and how you can responsibly create them with built elements or plants. We will also discuss specific plants that host specific native species, and how to choose plants that best support animals throughout different times of year. This class is co-taught by Ben Snyder, our Ecology Director and WinterCreek Nursery Manager, and Hannah Wuerfel, Think Wild’s Habitat Restoration Coordinator.
Native Plant Landscape Design
Saturday, July 11 and Saturday July 18, 2026, 10am-11:30pm
Location: WinterCreek Nursery
Cost: $40
Class Description: This two part class is ideal for people looking to create a complete plan for their landscape. Attendees of this class will have ideally taken Native Plant Theory and Practice or have a working knowledge of the topics covered in those classes. Using several case studies, the first part of this class will focus on basic principles of landscape design and how to employ them to get the look you want. We will discuss how to create a map of your space and define microclimates that will accommodate local native plant associations. Attendees will then be asked to create a map of their garden to bring to the next class. During the second class, attendees will share and discuss their garden plans in small groups, having the opportunity to ask specific questions about their plan, and getting inspiration from others. This course is taught by Rick Martinson, PhD, who has been designing and building native plant landscapes in Central Oregon for over 25 years, and Rachael Relph, HDHC’s Community Engagement Coordinator.
Maintaining Native Plant Gardens
Saturday, October 3, 2026, 10am-11:30pm
Location: WinterCreek Nursery
Cost: $20
Class Description: This class is ideal for anyone with native plants looking to learn about how to care for them year round. Using the lens of an ecology-based approach, this course will cover key activities to do (or not do) throughout the year to keep your backyard ecosystem healthy. We will cover general garden maintenance, maintaining healthy soils, watering, and some plant-specific maintenance. This course is taught by Rick Martinson, PhD, who has been designing and building native plant landscapes in Central Oregon for over 25 years, and Rachael Relph, HDHC’s Community Engagement Coordinator.