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Native Plants for Birds and Insects

Friends of Brooklyn Branch Annual Meeting & Program

The Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland’s Chair of Education Committee and popular local speaker Matt Valencic will present at the Friends of Brooklyn Branch Annual Meeting.

Birds, insects, and native plants are inextricably linked in nature. Whatever happens to one will have an effect on the others. This talk explains those relationships, then shows you ways to enhance your personal landscape for birds, insects, or just for the beauty of native plants. Lots of pictures of birds, insects, and native plants (flowering plants, trees, and shrubs).

Matt Valencic is a member of The Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland with special interests in Education and all things related to wild birds and their habitat. He earned a BS in Forest Biology back in 1975 but never used it professionally. Instead, as soon as his kids were old enough to hike in the woods, he and his wife shared their love of the natural world with them and their friends.  That included 20 years as a Boy Scout leader where he taught Bird Study, Nature Study and a variety of other Merit Badges. In retirement he is an active member of the Audubon Society as well as a Master Gardener Volunteer in Geauga County. At first these two interests don’t seem to fit together, but when you consider that plants supply the bulk of food and shelter for birds, they fit together perfectly. He has been photographing birds, bugs and plants for over 10 years and many of the pictures you will see in today’s program are his own. Matt and his wife Patti live on an 8-acre ‘hobby farm’ in Geauga County’ with two horses and a large vegetable/flower garden.

Refreshments served.