Midwest Native Plant Conference
Annual Conference & Registration Information
Whether you’re an attendee, vendor, sponsor, or exhibitor, you can find all the information you need on this page to register. We update this page frequently as we continue to plan the event. Be sure to subscribe to our member email list to receive the link first to register.
August 1–3, 2025
Bergamo Center - Beavercreek, OH
Mark your calendars for the 17th Annual Midwest Native Plant Conference! This educational, community-focused event brings together native plant enthusiasts, gardeners, and nature lovers for a weekend of learning and exploration.
Please note: The 2025 conference is currently
SOLD OUT.
Registration
- Registration Fee & Inclusions: General attendee registration costs $215 per person. This fee includes access to five expert presentations, all indoor and outdoor breakout sessions, guided field trips on-site Friday and Saturday (both daytime and nighttime), and guided off-site field trips on Sunday to unique natural habitats. Attendees also receive full access to the Native Plant & Artisan Sale and all evening programs.
- Registration Timeline: Conference registration opens in early March for the general public. Be sure to join our mailing list to be notified as soon as registration opens. (Sponsors at certain levels get early access to attendee registration as a benefit – see the Sponsors & Vendors section below.) Registration will remain open until all spots are filled; note that the event sells out quickly.
- Continuing Education Credits (CEUs): Attendees can earn CEUs for various professional programs, such as Master Gardener certification, Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist hours, APLD accreditation, and more. We are happy to provide documentation to help you obtain credit – please check with your certifying organization for eligibility and reporting requirements.
- Scholarships: limited number of scholarships are available to help cover the cost of registration for those who need financial assistance. Scholarship applications open at the same time as attendee registration and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until all scholarships are filled. Please see our website’s Scholarships page for details on eligibility (e.g. the Cheryl Harner “Wonder Fund” and White Oak Young Naturalist Fund opportunities).
- Lodging: Conference registration does not include lodging. Attendees who wish to stay at the Bergamo Center must reserve accommodations separately by contacting the Bergamo Center. (If you need to cancel lodging, you must do so through the Bergamo Center; see Refund Policy below.)
Conference Schedule
The conference runs from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon.
Here’s an overview of what to expect each day:
- Friday: The conference kicks off Friday afternoon. In the evening, enjoy after-dark nature walks and activities on the grounds. Guided night hikes (for example, a “Sounds of the Night” audio tour, a firefly observation walk, moth lighting at sheets, and a general nature prowl) let attendees experience nocturnal wildlife up closemidwestnativeplants.org. Friday’s programs set the stage for a weekend of discovery.
- Saturday: A full day of learning and fun. Saturday’s schedule features our keynote presentations and featured speaker talks, plus a variety of indoor and outdoor breakout sessions (see “Speakers & Programs” below for topics). Midday, don’t miss the Native Plant & Artisan Sale beginning at 10:00 AM. Conference attendees can shop the vendor fair at any time during the weekend, and the public is invited to join on Saturday during the sale hours. Saturday evening brings more field sessions and informal networking with fellow nature enthusiasts.
- Sunday: On Sunday morning, the focus shifts to off-site field trips. Small-group field excursions will depart the center around 9:00 AM to visit various natural areas, gardens, and unique habitats in the region. These guided trips are led by experts and give attendees a chance to see native plants in the wild (transportation is typically by personal carpool). The conference wraps up by Sunday afternoon following the field trips.
2025 Conference Documents
Speakers & Sessions
We are excited to host a lineup of local and national experts speaking on native plants, wildlife, and ecology. Below are the highlighted speakers and program topics for the 2025 conference:
Keynote Speakers
- Neil Diboll – Prairie Garden Design Principles
- Bill Finch – Why the South is the Future of Midwest Forests, Grasslands and Gardens
- Heather Holm – Native Predatory Wasps: Their Role as Pollinators and Beneficial Insects
Featured Speakers
- Bill Finch – Seeing the Light: A New Way of Understanding Ecosystems (additional talk)
- Jim McCormac – Autumn Gold: The Goldenrods
- Dr. Kellen Calinger – The Flowering Times, They Are A-Changin’
Indoor Sessions
- Seed Collection & Propagation of Native Plants – Gale Martin
- Tree Treasures: Folklore, Myths, Magic and Wonder – Rebecca Wood
- Common Asters Encountered in Ohio – Mark Wessel
- Designing Intentional Wild Spaces – Brooke Medlin
- Rain Garden Rundown – Sarah Meadows
- Designs in Nature & Nature Journaling – Bill Whorral
Outdoor Field Sessions
- DIY Growing Native Plants: MEEC Nursery Tour – Michele Banker
- Basic Invasive Plant ID & Control – Tom Borgman
- Advanced Invasive Plant Control – Tom Borgman
- Matrix Design with Grasses and Sedges – Michael Keeler
- Birds, Bugs and Botany: Take a Walk on the Wild Side – Judy Semroc
- After-Dark Nature Walks (Friday & Saturday Nights) – Experience the outdoors after sunset with guided night programs. These include a “Sounds of the Night” walk to hear nocturnal wildlife, a Firefly Walk to witness lightning bugs in action, moth observation at light stations, and a general Night Prowl to discover creatures of the dark
2025 Featured Plant & Artwork
Each year, the conference artwork highlights a native plant. The 2025 conference’s featured plant is the Dense Blazing-star, Liatris spicata, beautifully depicted in the official conference art illustrated by artist Ann E. Geise. The artwork also showcases wildlife attracted to this prairie wildflower, including a Red-spotted Purple Butterfly, Limenitis arthemis, Camouflaged Looper caterpillar (larval form), with the (adult form) the Wavy-lined Emerald Moth, Synchlora aerata and Common Eastern Bumblebee, Bombus impatiens.
Refund Policy
We understand that plans can change. Below is our refund and cancellation policy for conference registrations:
- Full Refund Window: If you cancel within 60 days of the registration opening date, we can provide a full (or partial) refund to your original payment method.
- Extended Refunds: If more than 60 days have passed since registration opened, refunds can still be issued but will be processed via check (manual refund).
- Late Cancellations: We are unable to offer full refunds for cancellations made within 6 weeks of the event date. This is because we must fulfill financial commitments to our venue and partners at that stage. (Partial refunds may still be available in some cases, at the discretion of the organizers.)
- Processing Fee: A $10 administrative fee will be deducted from all refunds to cover processing costs.
- Donations: Any optional donation made during conference registration is non-refundable (unless specifically requested).
- Lodging: Lodging reservations at the Bergamo Center are separate from conference registration and must be cancelled directly with the Bergamo Center if your plans change. (The conference organizers cannot cancel or refund lodging on your behalf.)
