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When we garden, we can help migrating and resident birds with a healthy backyard habitat, especially important given the severe decline in songbirds. In this workshop you will learn how to bring beautiful birds to your backyard by planting native flowers and bushes.

Deb Ellis is an environmental activist, community builder, and teacher. She is passionate about teaching how to use native plants to promote biodiversity and heal the Earth. She is the founder and leader of the Essex chapter of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey, a Master Gardener, and a Rutgers Environmental Steward and formerly served on the Montclair Environmental Commission. A retired social justice lawyer, she was named a Champion of Change by the Obama White House in 2011.

Deb grew her garden while raising two kids and commuting from NJ to NYC, so she became an expert in “keep it simple” gardening with natives. She gives thanks for her love of gardening to her dad, Homer, who planted wildflowers with her when she was a girl, and her mom, Loismary, who made beautiful bouquets from the flowers.