Flora & Feathers

…How Birds & Plants Depend On Each Other

Please join the Willamette Valley Hardy Plant Group for this presentation by Dan Gleason.

Birds and plants have a long evolutionary history and many fascinating relationships have developed between them. Birds obviously nest in plants (trees and bushes) and they use plant material to construct nests. Many plants depend on birds to disperse their seeds or pollinate their flowers. But how do plants select which birds will carry those seeds and how do they assure that it happens at just the right time to benefit the plant? Some insects also play important roles in these intricate relationships. One example presented in this program involves birds, aphids and the plants on which the aphids feed. In another instance, come learn why, from a bird’s perspective, Nandina (shooting bamboo or heavenly bamboo) is a very deadly plant, and why poison-oak is good. Learn why a somewhat weedy yard with lots of caterpillars is better for the environment than an immaculate yard with no refuge for insects or birds. This program will detail many of the fascinating links between birds and plants, many which are not well-known to many of us.

Dan Gleason and his wife, Barbara, own the two Wild Birds Unlimited stores in Eugene. Through their stores and the McKenzie River Trust, they lead Bird Outings and specialize in supporting nature-lovers with many challenges, from mobility to vision or others so that EVERYONE can be outdoors enjoying birds and nature! They also offer monthly talks about birds and nature at their stores, with other invited speakers.

Dan was on the faculty at the University of Oregon for 30+ years, taught Field Ornithology even after retiring, and is author of two books about birds. His column, Backyard Habitats ran monthly for over 10 years in the Register Guard until its ownership change in 2018.

A scientific illustrator and graphic designer for over 40 years before owning their store, Barbara is a 50+ year birder who birded throughout North America before birds brought these two bird-nerds together.

Dan’s speaking engagements and store bird walks took a hiatus in 2019 as he fought AML leukemia. Although his vision and balance suffered permanent changes as a result, his sense of humor and hearing still work quite well. With his off-road “Veloped” walker, Dan and Barbara continue to lead bird trips.

For more information about the Willamette Valley Hardy Plant Group or this event, visit our website at www.thehardyplantgroup.org/events or email us at info@thehardyplantgroup.org

Doors on the east side of the building open at 6:30 PM for botanical sample browsing, refreshments and socializing. Admission is free for members and $5 for non-members. Membership in the Hardy Plant Group is open to all and is $30 annually. There is ample parking in the parking lot which can be accessed from both Chambers St. or W 13th Ave, with additional parking in the adjacent Looking Glass Center parking lot to the north, but please do not park under their covered entry way. Overflow parking is also available in the first 20 spaces on the east and south side of Redeemer Fellowship Church just across Chambers St. to the west.

This in-person meeting will also be broadcast live over Zoom to members who are unable to attend in person. The Zoom broadcast will be recorded, with a viewing link sent to members to watch within two weeks of receiving the link. If you are interested in watching our Zoom broadcast, and not a member, please see the “About” page on our website at www.thehardyplantgroup.org/about to download our membership form to join.