​ There's a lot of pppower in connecting people with native plants and pollinators. Join Bill Farris with the Oklahoma Native Plant Network and Katie Hawk with the Oklahoma Monarch Society to learn how these organizations are leveraging native plants and pollinators as a gateway to connect people to nature and in turn, increasing biodiversity and reducing threats to Oklahoma's ecosystems.
Bill and Katie have been on this journey together for nine years organizing efforts statewide alongside more than 100 dedicated Oklahomans representing 70+ entities. They have both been a part of spearheading two new organizations, coordinating events statewide and developing a Statewide Monarch Conservation Action Plan.

In addition to their pppassion for nature, Bill and Katie also share another thing in common: the desire to make community engagement fun. Bill's willingness to dress up as a butterfly in front of hundreds of people,
including the Lt. Governor, quickly ranked him at the top of Katie's event planning list.
Don't miss this OOGA meeting... you are bound to laugh while learning about their behind-the-scenes efforts to help restore Oklahoma's natural beauty.

About Our Guests

For more than 30 years, Bill and his wife Sally have been growing native plants at their Prairie Wind Nursery in Noble. In 2024, Bill co-founded the Oklahoma Native Plant Network and served as Vice-President.

Since 2016, Katie has organized efforts of the Oklahoma Monarch and Pollinator Collaborative and currently serves as the Director of the Oklahoma Monarch Society. Previously, she served as the Director of Communications at The Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma.
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Doors open at 6:30. Free and open to the public. Door prizes!