Sunday, March 29 | 1:00 PM
Location: Environmental Nature Center– Newport Beach
Register Here
Instructor: Mike Evans
What does it mean for a plant — or a person — to belong to a place?
In this opening workshop of the 2026 Native Plant Workshop Series, Mike Evans invites participants to reconsider gardening as participation in living systems shaped by climate, soil, and time. Native plants are not simply aesthetic choices — they are expressions of regional identity, ecological history, and environmental responsibility.
Drawing on more than four decades of native plant horticulture, Mike explores how Southern California’s landscapes function and why working with place — rather than imposing upon it — leads to healthier, more resilient gardens. This reflective and foundational class sets the philosophical tone for the year of workshops ahead.
This workshop is presented in partnership by the Environmental Nature Center (ENC) and the California Native Horticulture Foundation (CNHF), reflecting a shared commitment to advancing place-based ecological education in Orange County.
About the Instructor:
Mike Evans is President of the California Native Horticulture Foundation and founder of Tree of Life Nursery in San Juan Capistrano, which for over 45 years has been one of the largest native plant nurseries in California. A nurseryman, horticulturist, educator, and speaker, Mike has helped shape the practice of native plant gardening throughout the state.
Note: Parking will be challenging on this day, so if the ENC parking lot is full, please feel free to park in the neighboring high school lot or along the street.