Dive into the fascinating world of plant-insect relationships in this engaging class centered around milkweed, monarch butterflies, and the vital connections between native plants and the creatures that depend on them.
Perfect for gardeners and nature lovers, this class blends science, storytelling, and sustainability to deepen your appreciation for the intricate web of life rooted in our landscapes.
Through guided discussion and hands-on exploration in the Gardens, learn how milkweed serves as a critical host plant for monarch caterpillars—and discover other essential plant-host pairings that support biodiversity. From pollinators to specialist feeders, explore how these relationships shape ecosystems and what you can do to support them in your own backyard.
Location
The Grove Studios 104 & 105
Instructor
Santino Lauricella
Santino joined the Preserve's staff in October 2019 after serving most recently as the head of the Education Department for the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art, a non-profit dedicated to the life’s work of one of Pennsylvania's unsung environmental heroes. Santino served as the lead for the Center's educational programming, helping visitors to leave more inspired by our natural world. Originally from central New York, he received his B.S. in Wildlife Management from SUNY - College of Environmental Science and Forestry. An avid lover of the outdoors since his childhood spent just outside the Adirondack Park, he relishes all opportunities to share his passion for nature and science with others.
