Native Plant Training
Native Plant Specs, Preparation, Installation, Stewardship, & Monitoring
With our lunch & learn training on native plants, your team will gain a deeper understanding of the role ecological consultants play in assessing and mitigating the impact of development projects on natural habitats.
Topics Covered
- Introduction to Pizzo Group
- Why Native Plants?
- Biodiversity: Natives Vs. Cultivars
- Plugs Vs. Quarts Vs. Gallons
- Understanding Site Conditions
- Native Plant Spec Writing
- Native Plant Growth Process
- Maintenance / Stewardship
- Site Monitoring & Measuring Success
- Flood Risk & Infiltration
- Slopes & Stormwater Management
- Native Plant Recommendations
Who Is This Training For?
- Landscape Architects
- Contractors
- Civil Engineers
- Corporations
- Developers
- City Administrators
- Municipalities
As well as other stakeholders interested in sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Learning Objectives
Participants will leave with actionable knowledge on how to engage with ecological restoration companies, ordering from nurseries, and best practices for including native plants into site plans.
Add these 3 native plants & support 241 living species
Butterflyweed
98 species
Euphorbia corollata
80 species
Echinacea pallida
63 species
Lunch & Learn Training on Native Plants
In-Person Classroom Format & Online Webinars
Our Lunch & Learn Training on Native Plants gives your team practical, experience-based insight into how ecological consultants support successful development while protecting and enhancing natural systems. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of why native plants matter, how biodiversity influences long-term project performance (leveraging salt-tolerant native plants can help), and how to select the right plant materials—from plugs to gallons—based on real site conditions. We’ll also walk through the native plant growth process, spec writing best practices, and the essential role of maintenance, stewardship, and monitoring in achieving measurable success.
Beyond plant selection, this session connects ecological design to real-world outcomes such as improved stormwater infiltration, slope stabilization, and reduced flood risk. Whether your goal is regulatory compliance, sustainability, or long-term landscape performance, our team will provide actionable recommendations you can apply directly to your projects. This training is ideal for landscape architects, contractors, civil engineers, developers, corporations, and municipal leaders who want to make informed decisions and deliver resilient, high-performing landscapes.
Learning Preview: Determining Success
Use appropriate Monitoring Data (FQI, Mean C, etc.) with a grain of salt, there are loop-holes within these criteria. Their use alone may not be sufficient. Be sure to include language regarding coverage, distribution and diversity.
Learning Preview: Plant Containers
Grow Time: Forb plugs typically catch up to quart size plants in a season. Similarly, plugs of grasses will often catch up to gallon sized plants in a season.
Native Plant Training & Education
Information Request & Scheduling
We look forward to meeting your team and providing a lunch & learn on ecological restoration and native plant training.
Additional Native Plant Training Articles & Education from Our Blog
What Is Prairie Restoration? Understanding Prairie Ecosystems and the Different Types of Prairies
Prairie restoration is the process of returning land to a native prairie ecosystem. This involves removing invasive species, preparing the site, planting native grasses and wildflowers, and providing ongoing stewardship.
The Best Low Maintenance Landscaping for Subdivisions
Native plants provide subdivisions with the best low-maintenance landscaping options because they already adapted to the local temperature swings, rainfall patterns, and pests.
Protecting and Rebuilding Great Lakes Shorelines Through Dune Restoration
The dunes along Lake Michigan are often worn down over time. Healthy dunes protect shorelines, reduce erosion, and create a healthy habitat for the plants and animals that depend on them.
