Each month, our Master Gardener group hosts a free talk about plants and gardening.

This month’s talk, about “Helping HOAs go native,” will be on Sunday, April 12, 2-3:30 p.m., at the Orange County Southern Branch Library (Drakeford Library Complex), 203 S. Greensboro St., Carrboro). Parking is available in the adjacent garage.

Janet Staats, Master Gardener volunteer and a Master Naturalist, will be talking about how we can encourage and incentivize homeowners’ associations (HOAs) to choose native plants for beautiful landscaping and habitat restoration. Please bring your questions, and join us for an informative and fun presentation!

See you on April 12!

The 2026 Hillsborough Climate Challenge, April 1-22, offers hands-on activities, educational programs and community events to make sustainability approachable and relevant for all ages. Everyone is welcome!

Join Master Gardener volunteers this week for two events that are part of the challenge:

Composting for Everyone, Wednesday, April 8, 2 to 3:30 p.m., featuring Allie Seguret of the Orange County Solid Waste Management program, and Robin Bedingfield, a Master Gardener volunteer. It’s at the demonstration gardens at the Bonnie B. Davis Environment and Agricultural Center, 1020 US Highway 70 West, Hillsborough (across from the DMV).

The Buzz About Pollinators, Saturday, April 11, 2 to 4 p.m., at Gold Park, 415 Dimmocks Mill Rd., Hillsborough. Fun activities will be led by the Orange County Master Gardener volunteers’ Youth Committee, and will feature beekeepers, butterfly enthusiasts and others. It will take place at the Gold Park pollinator garden, maintained by Master Gardener volunteers.

Click here for a full schedule of Climate Challenge events.

(Illustration courtesy of local artist Elaine O’Neil for the Hillsborough Climate Challenge.)