Native Plant Initiative of Greater New Orleans

Board meeting
2022-11-21 17:00 - 18:30, 2022-06-13 17:00 - 18:30, 2022-05-05 17:00 - 18:30 UTC
Members: email npi.gno2019@gmail.com with questions and comments that you would like to be considered at the board meeting. Please email 3 days before the meeting at the latest.

Volunteer Opportunity Mardi Gras Mix Kit Packing
2022-11-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Ground Krewe Office, 3962 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70115
We will follow on from our seed packing event by assembling kits to make sustainable Native Flower Start Kit Throws. We will collect component pieces into boxes, then seal each box with a sticker. The work will be indoors and seated and the tasks are very simple. Please sign up on the link below.
https://www.signupgenius.
Grounds Krewe Office
3962 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70115
Grounds Krewe is located at the corner of Magazine St. & Constantinople. Enter through the gate with the Grounds Krewe sign at the yard next to Warby Parker and go to the large sliding glass doors. Park on Constantinople to avoid a charge.
Amenities:
We’ll have muffins, coffee, sparkling water, grapes, a/c and a bathroom. If the weather is perfection, we will have the option to work outside in the yard.

UNO Urban Bird Trail - Woodlot Maintenance
2022-11-12 09:00 - 12:00 | UNO Woodlot
remove invasive plants, create paths, clean up

BUGS & BLOOMS MEADOW MORNING AND STEWARDSHIP LUNCH - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 5
2022-11-05 09:00 - 12:00 | NOMTRCB Headquarters, 2100 Leon C. Simon Drive, New Orleans, LA, 70122
BUGS & BLOOMS
MEADOW MORNING AND STEWARDSHIP LUNCH
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 5
EVENTBRITE LINK
FACEBOOK LINK
From 9 a.m. to noon, join us in taking care of the native wildflower meadow and rain garden, and to join artist Courtney Egan to make art. We will cut back dead plants, collect seeds, and prepare the site for winter and next spring – this a chance to learn about wildflowers, meadows, rain gardens, green infrastructure, and ecology. Courtney will be teaching participants how to make sun prints (a kind of cyanotype) using plants from the meadow and rain garden.
From noon to 1, we will serve lunch and host a discussion on the topic of environmental stewardship. What does it mean to be a steward of the environment? What are different ways in which people and organizations care for land, water, and ecosystems in an urban environment like New Orleans, and what shifts in our landscape management and stewardship practices are necessary in relation to climate change, flooding, and subsidence?
We will also use this lunch as an opportunity to honor master gardener Jeanette Bell, as well as the release of a new book featuring Jeanette called American Roots: Lessons and Inspiration from the Designers Reimagining Our Home Gardens.
All ages are welcome. In addition to lunch, there will be giveaways from the New Orleans Mosquito, Termite, and Rodent Control Board as well as wildflower meadow field guides from Civic Studio.

BUGS & BLOOMS HAPPY HOUR - 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 3
2022-11-03 16:00 - 18:00 | NOMTRCB Headquarters, 2100 Leon C. Simon Drive, New Orleans, LA, 70122
BUGS & BLOOMS HAPPY HOUR
4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 3
EVENTBRITE LINK
FACEBOOK LINK
How does the city manage insects and rodents? What does the inside of a termite mound look like? How many kinds of mosquitoes live in New Orleans, and which ones should you be worried about?
Drop by for happy hour at the meadow, and for a special opportunity to learn about insects and rodents. The New Orleans Mosquito, Termite, and Rodent Control Board will be opening up their headquarters to give everyone a peek at their diagnostic labs, insect surveillance and management technologies, insect collections, and insect art! Meet with NOMTRCB entomologists and ask them questions about their work and anything else you want to know about bugs.
All ages are welcome. There will be refreshments, giveaways, and a large raffle basket.

Native Plant Giveaway - River Ridge
2022-10-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Winn Dixie Harahan, 8601 Jefferson Hwy, River Ridge, 70123
At least one free Partridge Pea or Turks Cap plant will be given to each GNO resident at this event while supplies last. Both of these species are great for birds and pollinators and are easy to find spots for in any garden!

Fall Garden Festival at City Park
2022-10-08 09:00 - 2022-10-09 16:00
Are you ready for cool breezes and the golden glow of fall leaves and flowers?
Are you ready for FALL?

Welcome the season with NPI at the New Orleans City Park Fall Garden Festival and join the NPI team to host a table and talk native plants with fest goers. NPI will have a display on the many beautiful and important native plants that shine in the Fall as well as native gardening activities for this time of year, after all………Fall is for Planting!
Volunteers are needed:
to Develop the display, Set up on the Friday before,
for Morning and Afternoon shift times on both Saturday and Sunday.
Festival admission is free for volunteers.
For questions or to volunteer, PLEASE SEND US AN EMAIL with your contact info and availability.
General Information about the Fall Garden Festival is at https://neworleanscitypark.com/events/fall-garden-festival.

Native Plant Giveaway! University of New Orleans
2022-10-01 09:00 - 12:00 | UNO Administration Building, 6650 Milneburg Road, New Orleans, 70148
NATIVE PLANT GIVEAWAYS ARE BACK!
UNO is joining us as a host for this Giveaway where we will be distributing Partridge Pea and Turk’s Cap FOR FREE, on October 1st.
Tour the new native garden on campus while you are there.

NOCP Zoom Presentation By Jennifer Prout
2022-09-20 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
Virtual Presentation via Zoom
Tuesday, September 20th 6:30 pm
The Design and Planting of the “Prairie Garden” on the Big Lake Native Plant Trail
NPI Members will be treated to a first time presentation by Horticulturist Jennifer Prout who researched, designed, implemented and works to maintain one of the best spots on the Big Lake Native Plant Trail. Save the date and stay tuned for your Zoom link email the week before.

Virtual Member Meeting
2022-06-20 18:30 - 20:00
NPI will host a virtual membership meeting where Jennifer Prout will present a on the Big Lake Prairie Planting and its’ progression since install. More details to come!

Membership meeting
2022-05-14 09:00 - 12:00 | Longue Vue, 7 Bamboo Road, New Orleans, LA, 70124, United States

The Children Shall Lead Us: Annual Earth Day Celebration
2022-04-24 13:00 - 15:00 | Joe Brown Park, 5601 Read Blvd, New Orleans, LA, 70127, United States
Families involved and interested in Greater New Orleans Interfaith Climate Coalition will gather to share educational activities and games. Various stations will allow small groups to participate in artistic creation, small planting projects, music and readings. Environmental awareness and interfaith connection are the focus on this day. We hope to have interest in kayaking and nature trail exploration. Congregational Youth Directors will facilitate a variety of interactive options. Children will be accompanied by parent/guardian. Trash clean up for our area and surroundings will be part of the learning experience.

Longue Vue Design Symposium
2022-04-08 10:30 - 15:00 | Longue Vue, 7 Bamboo Road, New Orleans, LA, 70124, United States
The Power of Design.
Longue Vue’s house and gardens were designed, in tandem, to blend beauty with community responsibility. Upon moving to the site in 1923, Edith and Edgar Stern famously activated their home towards civic engagement during their lifetimes then left us the gift and responsibility of continuing their work in beautiful built and natural spaces.
For more than 30 years the Design Symposium has welcomed renowned designers focusing on interior and exterior spaces and the intersection between the two. This year, the Symposium returns to the grounds of Longue Vue with featured speakers Edwina von Gal and Cathy Kincaid. Proceeds from the Design Symposium will support Longue Vue’s Centennial Renewal Campaign.
Schedule of events
April 7: Patron Evening on the grounds of Longue Vue from 5PM to 7PM; Cocktail Reception
April 8: Design Symposium presentations by Edwina von Gal and Cathy Kincaid at 10:30AM, followed by a picnic in the Longue Vue Gardens at 12PM; Garden Party Attire

Spring Garden Show
2022-04-02 09:00 - 2022-04-03 17:00 | City Park Botanical Garden
Where: New Orleans Botanical Garden
Parking: Street Parking and Parking Lot
Admission: $10/Adults; $5/Children 5 to 12; free for kids under 5 and Friends of City Park members

Tour of GNOIS Iris Nursery at City Park
2022-03-26 09:00 - 12:00
details to be announced

Membership Meeting - UNO Woodlot
2022-02-12 09:00 - 12:00 | UNO Fine Arts Woodlot, Founders Road, New Orleans, LA, United States
We will meet on the site of our latest project at the UNO Fine Arts Woodlot where we have recently helped plant additional native woody species to attract and support wildlife on the campus. More plantings are scheduled in adjacent areas. We will tour the site and discuss the existing native plants, the preparation that went into the site to remove invasive species, what those invasive specie are and other techniques we are implying to make this space great habitat for the many bird species that have been observed here.
UNO

LNPS Annual Meeting
2022-02-04 08:00 - 2022-02-06 17:00 | Wesley Center, Woodworth, LA, 2350 Methodist Pkwy, Woodworth, LA, 71485, United States
The Louisiana Native Plant Society meets annually, the first weekend of February, in Central Louisiana. Details, Speaker agendas and bios and info about the Field Trip are posted at lnps.org. It’s great opportunity to learn from and network with native plant enthusiast throughout the state. Registration info should be available on their website soon.

UNO Woodlot Planting
2022-01-29 10:00 - 15:00 | UNO Fine Arts Woodlot, Founders Road, New Orleans, LA, United States
We will be planting at least 16 additional native species to the Woodlot to support more birds and wildlife on campus….Winterberry hollies, Possumhaw, Eastern Red Cedar, Yaupon, Itea, Waxmyrtles, American Hornbeam and more…. See you there!

Membership Meeting and Plant/Seed Swap
2021-12-05 08:30 - 12:00 | Rosa Keller Library, 4300 S Broad Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70125, United States
Join us for our last Membership Meeting of the year. We will meet again on the side patio of the Rosa F. Keller Library at 4300 S. Broad. Those inserted can join us early at 8:30 for some cutting back and tending of the Prairie plantings and native gardens that we have been working on for the past year. At 10am, the meeting will cover the usual business including information and plans for 2022. Bring your plants and seeds for swapping!

UNO Woodlot Restoration Kick Off
2021-11-06 09:00 - 14:00
Help us launch our effort to provide expanded habitat for migrating birds at UNO! We will remove invasive species from the Fine Arts WOODLOT and prepare the area for 50 bird-friendly native trees and shrubs to be planted this winter.
Please bring water, gloves and wear long pants, close-toed shoes, and socks. Shovels and clippers are helpful, if you have them. If it rains on November 6, we will reschedule for November 13.
Directions: From Leon C. Simon Blvd., enter campus via Founders Road and proceed to the Fine Arts building. Parking will be available at the north end of the road by the woodlot.
To request disability-related accommodations or for more information, please contact Liz Sigler at birding@uno.edu.

Laffite Greenway Volunteer Opportunity
2021-08-28 09:00 - 12:00 | Greenway Plaza, 500 N. Norman C. Francis Parkway, New Orleans
Come join us in picking up trash, clearing overhanging branches, and pulling non-native weeds from our bioswales. Meet up at the Greenway Plaza, where we will be divided into groups and sent down both directions of the Greenway.
While we will be able to provide some pruners, saws and trash pickers, we encourage you to bring over any you have at home in order to support this event.
Also don’t forget to bring:
-Water bottle (it will be hot!)
-Closed toe shoes
-Pants, not shorts (to protect your legs from overgrown vegetation)
-Clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty
-Gloves
-Face mask
We are excited to see you there and get this important work done! The Greenway Stewardship Program is supported by Archer Daniels Midland, Cox, and the EPA Gulf of Mexico Division.
Click here.for more information
Thanks,
Debbie de la Houssaye, Board member of Friends of the Lafitte Greenway

NPI In-Person Membership Meeting
2021-05-16 09:00 - 11:00 | Rosa Keller Library, 4300 S Broad Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70125, United States
NPI-GNO is missing our members! On Sunday May 16th at 9:00 am, we will have our 1st in-person meeting since last year! Let’s meet in the courtyard of the Rosa F. Keller Library & Community Center, corner of General Pershing and Napoleon Ave., weather permitting, (watch the NPI Facebook page for notifications.) Off-street parking is available in the library’s lot at 4300 S. Broad.
After a very full and informative meeting, and some time to greet new and old friends with refreshments, everyone will have the opportunity to observe the Keller Library Mini-Prairie AND the Broadmoor Rain Gardens, 3601 General Taylor (2 blocks away), maintained by Tulane University’s Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology.
Please bring your mask, a lawn chair, a personal non-disposable drink container, and maybe an umbrella – the Broadmoor Garden is only 2 blocks away. Opportunities to renew memberships or become a new member will be available. We simply cannot wait to see everyone again!

ST. ANTHONY GREEN STREETS AND PUBLIC ART - Gatto Playground
2021-05-15 10:00 - 13:00 | Gatto Playground, 1929 Wildair St, 1929 Wildair Street, New Orleans, LA, 70122, United States
We are excited to resume in-person community events for both St. Anthony Green Streets and the Public Art Projects in the Gentilly Resilience District.
On May 15, Artists Langston Allston, Courtney Egan, Brendon Palmer-Angell and Ashley Pridmore will lead hands-on creative activities for all ages focused on the themes of water, remembrance, adaptation, and ecology. Photographer Jose Cotto will be taking portraits of neighborhood residents that they can take home with them, and the portraits may also be featured — with permission — as part of a temporary display at Gatto Playground. Meet with the design team and city representatives to learn the latest on the St. Anthony Green Streets project.
Please follow all public health guidelines for masks and social distancing, and do not join if you’re experiencing any symptoms of illness. We will have hand sanitizer and extra masks on hand. And if you have any questions or concerns, please email roadwork@nola.gov or call (504) 658-7623. We hope to see you soon!
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The $141 million HUD-funded Gentilly Resilience District (GRD) is a combination of efforts across the Gentilly neighborhood that are designed to reduce flood risk, slow land subsidence, improve energy reliability, and encourage neighborhood revitalization. To learn more, visit: www.nola.gov/resilience.

ST. ANTHONY GREEN STREETS AND PUBLIC ART - Filmore Playground
2021-05-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Filmore Park, 5500 Wildair St., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70122
RESCHEDULED
Originally scheduled for April 17th, postponed due to weather, is now rescheduled for May 15th.
ST. ANTHONY GREEN STREETS AND PUBLIC ART
Saturday, April 17 | 10 a.m. to Noon
@ Filmore Playground, 5500 Wildair St.
We are excited to resume in-person community events for both St. Anthony Green Streets and the Public Art Projects in the Gentilly Resilience District.
On April 17, Artists Langston Allston and Courtney Egan will lead hands-on, creative activities for all ages, focusing on neighborhood history, plants, and water. Photographer Jose Cotto will be taking portraits of neighborhood residents that they can take home with them, and the portraits may also be featured — with permission — as part of a temporary display at Filmore Playground. Meet with the design team and city representatives to learn the latest on the St. Anthony Green Streets project.
From noon to 1, head to New Orleans Mosquito, Rodent, and Termite Control Headquarters (2100 Leon C. Simon) just up the street to help plant a native wildflower meadow with artist Courtney Egan, the Native Plant Initiative, Water Leaders Institute, and Civic Studio.
Please follow all public health guidelines for masks and social distancing, and do not join if you’re experiencing any symptoms of illness. We will have hand sanitizer and extra masks on hand. And if you have any questions or concerns, please email roadwork@nola.gov or call (504) 658-7623. We hope to see you soon!
__
The $141 million HUD-funded Gentilly Resilience District (GRD) is a combination of efforts across the Gentilly neighborhood that are designed to reduce flood risk, slow land subsidence, improve energy reliability, and encourage neighborhood revitalization. To learn more, visit: www.nola.gov/resilience.

Art in Bloom 2021- Home Grown
2021-05-05 10:00 - 2021-05-09 17:00 | NOMA, One Collins Diboll Circle, New Orleans, LA, 70124, United States
The New Orleans Museum of Art and the Garden Study Club of New Orleans invite you to participate in Art in Bloom 2021 | Home Grown presented by IBERIABANK |First Horizon. One of the most anticipated springtime events in New Orleans, for five days at NOMA, from May 5–9, Art in Bloom will showcase spectacular floral designs created by garden clubs, floral designers and creative talents from across New Orleans.
With the current climate in mind, 2021’s theme, Home Grown will bring together exhibitors and speakers primarily from our city and region to celebrate the beauty that you can create at home. This year, Art in Bloom will feature both virtual and in-person experiences for patrons to enjoy while adhering to safety measures that will insure the well-being of visitors, patrons and staff.
NOMA is open Wednesdays – Sundays.
More info

Gentilly Resilience District's Neighborhood Engagement Day
2021-04-17 10:00 - 13:00
This event is open to the public and is intended to purpose to give the community an understanding of the massive water infrastructure project that will soon begin outside their doorsteps. Native plants will play a part in the stormwater management of this area. A bioswale will go in around Filmore Park, and Courtney was awarded a public art project for a footbridge over the bioswale. The footbridge is to be educational as well as artistic and will feature images and information about the native plants that will be in the bioswale and that grow in New Orleans. At this event, NPI will have an Activity and Information table where visitors and neighbors can learn about native plants, make SeedBeads with native seeds provided and/or take native seeds home to plant in their gardens.
This is an opportunity to share your knowledge about native plants and NPI. Courtney is open to any amount of help you can give. You might get a little dirty, so be prepared!
Tabling at Filmore Park, and seed scattering at meadow site.
9:30-11:30 – set up tabling at Filmore Park: We will be introducing native plants to attendees. We’ll have pictures of natives and of the plants that will go in the bioswale, NPI materials, etc., and need your expertise! We will have bowls of native seeds, and will be set up for people to make seed balls, or to pot up seeds on the spot. Any pointers for what works best for tabling are welcome. More info on seed balls.
11:30 to 1:30 – tabling wrap up, reconvene at Native Wildflower Meadow at Leon C. Simon, assist in seed scattering (I have 2 lbs of a native mix) and tamping down seeds, breakdown. This will be the more active shift, scattering or assisting the scattering on site.

Penstemon Party ***Now April 17th***
2021-04-17 09:00 - 11:00 | 620 Heritage Avenue, Terrytown, LA 70056, 620 Heritage Ave, Terrytown, LA, 70056, United States
The date for the Penstemon Party has been changed to Saturday April 17th! See ya’ll there!

Gentilly Resilience District (GRD) Neighborhood Engagement Day
2021-04-16 16:00 - 17:00
Between 4-5pm, community members will be encouraged to meet at 2100 Leon C. Simon Dr., across the street from Ben Franklin High School by the Mosquito Control Board, to plant their seed balls and scatter seeds for the creation of a new Native Wildflower Meadow. Help will be needed there as well, instructing on scattering and pushing the seedballs into the prepared bed.
A community conversation is scheduled for 5 pm that day.
Questions or to volunteer, Email Courtney Egan .
