Our 2026 Annual Speaker Event was Held March 14th. Check Back for News on our 2027 Event!
We were very excited to host local, regional and national sustainable gardening expert Alison Milligan on March 14th at St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Annapolis. Her informative talk provided practical ideas and money-saving tips for both novice and experienced native plant enthusiasts. A full-house of 126 attendees enjoyed shopping for great raffle prizes, partaking in coffee and a variety of tasty snacks, and of course listening to a terrific talk by Alison.
2026 Event Information
Alison MIlligan talked about how native plants support biodiversity and a healthier future for our planet during her March 14th presentation.
About Our 2026 Speaker: Watershed Steward, Master Gardener, Master Naturalist and Certified Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Alison Milligan is a local, regional and national expert on sustainable gardening. Alison has made a profound positive impact on our local environment by assisting countless individuals, communities and organizations plan and install native plant gardens and by sharing her extensive knowledge via seminars, consulting and advocacy.
In this “must see” presentation – “Gardening with Native Plants: One Square Yard at a Time” – Alison used her own photos to explain and demonstrate:
- How and why to use native plants
- Site assessment
- Plant selections
- Planting techniques
- Specific solutions for various conditions
Using an example yard, she illustrated how various areas with different conditions (wet vs. dry, sunny vs. shady, etc.) could be planted with native plants to support biodiversity. She also provided specific details about which plants are host plants for various insects and the importance of incorporating keystone species in your planting plans.
2026 Milkweed Sponsor
Our 2026 Presenting Sponsor was Modera Wealth Management, LLC a fee-only, comprehensive wealth management firm offering portfolio and financial planning services to individuals, families, retirement plan sponsors, and non-profit institutions nationwide. With a client-first philosophy since its founding in 1983, Modera is dedicated to helping clients achieve their financial goals.
This year’s event was also partially funded by a Green Grant from BGE, an Exelon Company.
Sponsorship Please visit our Sponsorship page to see a complete list of the great local businesses who supported our 2026 event and to learn about the range of opportunities available each year to fit any company or organization’s budget. This is our primary fundraising event with all proceeds directly supporting Anne Arundel community native plants grant program.
About the Speaker Series: Each year, Unity Gardens hosts an annual fundraising lecture featuring renowned authors and environmental professionals. These exciting lectures have been hosted at Anne Arundel Community College, The Key School, The Chesapeake Bay Foundation Phillip Merrill Environmental Center, and at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church. Visit the links below to see an overview of these recent events, and be sure to like our Facebook page or Instagram page to receive first notice of upcoming events and opportunities! We are always in need of sponsors, partners and donations to support these events (and community grants), so please visit our Get Involved page to learn more, and visit Great Businesses locally who have supported Unity Gardens!
Continuing a Tradition… Each year, Unity Gardens looks forward to educating the community and raising funds for our grant program. Here are our past presenters:
2025 – Ryan Drake – McCausland Natural Areas Manager of the University of Pennsylvania’s Morris Arboretum & Gardens. “Nature’s Blueprint: Designing for Resiliency with Native Plants”
2024 – Ginger Woolridge – Author of “Essential Native Trees and Shrubs, The Guide to Creating a Sustainable Landscape.”
2023- Shannon Currey- Perennial Plant Association’s Board of Directors, North Carolina Plant Conservation Scientific Committee and Izel Native Plants. “Native Grasses and Sedges: Smart Choices for Better Landscapes”
2022- Shari Wilson – Maryland Secretary of the Environment 2007-2010 and Author of Nuts for Natives Blog
2021- No lecture due to Covid. Instead we hosted a virtual fundraiser, Bringing Natives Home.
2020 – Barbara Ellis – “Greener Gardens, One Step at a Time”
2019 – Dan Benarcik – Innovative Horticulturist at Chanticleer Gardens “Design Tips of the Pros”
2018 – Michael Judd, Landscape Designer and Designer Author of “Edible Landscaping with a Permaculture Twist”
2017 – Travis Beck, Director of Horticulture Mount Cuba Native Plant Center: “Design with Native Plants”
2016 – Stephanie Cohen, “The Perennial Diva”: “The Non-Stop Garden”
2015 – William Cullina, Director of Horticulture Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens: “Botany of Design”
2014 – Rick Darke , Botanist & Author: “Balancing Natives & Exotics in the Garden”
2013 – Doug Tallamy, Professor & Author: “Networks for Life: Your Role in Stitching the Natural World Together”
2012 – Tracy DiSabato-Aust, Designer & Author: “Native Plants Design & Maintenance”