April 25 | 10:00–11:30 AM

Location: Environmental Nature Center– Newport Beach

Instructors: Hugo Sopeña & Lori Whalen

Register Here

New to California native plants or looking for a clearer, more confident starting point? This welcoming, beginner-level class introduces the essential principles of native plant gardening with a practical, realistic approach.

Participants will learn how to evaluate site conditions, understand basic soil and drainage considerations, water effectively during plant establishment, and recognize how native gardens differ from conventional landscapes. The class also addresses common misconceptions about native plants and sets clear expectations for what success looks like in the first months and years.

Hugo Sopeña brings an ecological lens grounded in years of horticultural and restoration experience, while Lori Whalen shares practical insights from overseeing the Environmental Nature Center’s horticulture program and implementing native landscapes in public, highly used spaces. Together, they offer a balanced perspective that bridges ecology, maintenance realities, and everyday garden decision-making.

This class is ideal for first-time native gardeners, those transitioning part of an existing garden, or anyone seeking a strong foundation before moving into design and layout considerations.

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.