When it comes to keeping our planet healthy, the best place to start is right in your own backyard! From growing native plants that provide food for insects to planting trees that remove hazardous pollutants from the air, the choices you make in your yard have far-reaching consequences. Even the way you care for your lawn (or how much lawn you choose to have) makes a big difference. That’s why Sustainable Westport has teamed up with a coalition of local partners to bring you “Your Yard, Our Climate” — a community-wide initiative focused on transforming our personal outdoor spaces into thriving, climate-resilient habitats.

From April through June 2025, we’ll be hosting a series of engaging events and educational programs that cover everything from rethinking your lawn to supporting pollinators. Whether you have a sprawling estate or just a small patch of land, you’ll walk away empowered to make a real difference right in your own yard. Plus, don’t miss our exciting capstone event featuring a renowned gardening expert—keep scrolling to the end for all the details!

Programming & Events

Led by experts from our program partners, these workshops, events and activities will explore the vital role our yards play in addressing the climate crisis. You’ll learn how strategic planting choices, sustainable landscaping, and simple lifestyle changes can support biodiversity, sequester carbon, and create a healthier, more resilient community. So get ready to get your hands dirty and be the change you wish to see in your own backyard. The future of our climate is rooted in what we do today.

April Events

Friday, April 11 – Sunday, May 4

Native Plant Sale Online Pre-Orders  (online)

Location: Online

Sponsor: Aspetuck Land Trust

Pre-order many hard-to-find native plants, trees, and shrubs for your yard while supporting Aspetuck Land Trust. Their plant list has continued to expand each season, as their customers and supporters continue to grow! Not sure what to grow or where? ALT offers informative planting schemes for all areas in your yard!

Pickup from the Haskins Preserve May 16-18.

Tuesday, April 15

Lights Out Connecticut (virtual event)

Time: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Sponsor: Earthplace

Join Craig Repasz, chair and co-founder of Lights Out Connecticut, to learn about the deleterious effects of light pollution on migrating birds, other wildlife, and human health, not to mention all that wasted energy! Learn about what you can do to help mitigate the damage.

Register Here

Saturday, April 19

Nourishing Nature: Cultivating Healthier Gardens with Compost and Compost Tea

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Location: Gilbertie’s Garden Center, 7 Sylvan Ln., Westport, CT 06880

Sponsor: Gilbertie’s Garden Center

Get ready to turn your kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost with insights from Joe Gloria and Monique Bosch. Learn the secrets of successful composting, plus discover the importance of healthy soil and community gardening with Monique’s expertise in regenerative agriculture practices.

Get Tickets Here

Thursday, April 24

Creating and Managing Landscapes for Native Bees with Heather Holm (virtual event)

Time: 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.

Location: Virtual Event

Sponsor: Aspetuck Land Trust

Join pollinator conservationist and author Heather Holm as she explores opportunities to create and manage landscapes to enhance bee diversity, including Soft Landings plantings under keystone trees. Learn about plant selection considerations, keystone species for bees, butterflies, and moths, and ways to boost ecosystem functionality in your pollinator planting.

Resister Here

Saturday, April 26 – Spring Garden Fest @ WTF

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Location: Wakeman Town Farm, 134 Cross Hwy, Westport, CT 06880

Sponsor: Wakeman Town Farm & Sustainable Westport

Dahlia Potting Workshop – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (limited space)

Join Paul and Farmer Dasha for a hands-on demonstration and tutorial on dividing dahlia tubers for spring planting. They’ll also discuss where to source dahlias and how to start them from cuttings for those interested. Bring your own clumps, and you’ll be guided through the process! Plus, WTF dahlia bundles and starter kits will be available for purchase. Space is limited.

Register Here

Growing Green – 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. (limited space)

UCONN Advanced Master Gardener Alice Ely and local author Scott Smith will discuss sustainable, habitat-friendly gardening practices, which include choosing pollinator friendly plants, encouraging your landscapers to go electric, composting, and avoiding the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Space is limited.

Register Here

Electric Lawn Care –  12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Come learn about battery-powered lawn equipment options and try them out! Talk to professional landscapers who currently use them every day, including MowGreen and Cultural Lawns, who will be demonstrating electric leaf blowers, electric mulching mowers and more. Enter to win a battery-powered leaf blower to use at your own home!

Saturday, April 26 

Tomato Master Class with Sal

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Location: Gilbertie’s Garden Center, 7 Sylvan Ln., Westport, CT 06880

Sponsor: Gilbertie’s Garden Center

Join legendary grower Sal Gilbertie for an immersive journey into the not-so-secret world of tomato gardening, where everything you’ve ever wanted to know about tomatoes (and hopefully won’t be afraid to ask!) will be covered. Learn about different tomato types (heirloom, VFN, determinate, and indeterminate), organic growing tips, fertilization, pest control, companion planting, and more. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned gardener, this session will provide valuable insights for growing thriving tomatoes in your own garden.

Get Tickets Here

Saturday, May 3

Your Yard, Their Habitat: Creating a Pollinator Paradise

Time: 11:00 a.m.

Location: Gilbertie’s Garden Center, 7 Sylvan Lane, Westport, CT

Sponsor: Gilbertie’s Garden Center

Get ready to transform your garden into a thriving pollinator habitat with expert guidance from Advanced Master Gardener and native plant specialist Alice Ely. Drawing from her experience redesigning gardens across Fairfield County, Alice will share practical strategies for attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinators with a year-round cycle of blooming plants. Participants will learn how to grow beautiful, pollinator-friendly gardens while keeping deer at bay, as well as sustainable gardening practices that promote species diversity and protect local habitats. Plus, a Pollinator Pathway representative will be on hand to answer any questions about how you can officially join this local-founded, national movement!

Registration link coming soon.

Sunday, May 4

Bird Habitat Restoration Day

Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Location: Earthplace, 10 Woodside Ln., Westport, CT 06880

Sponsor: Earthplace

Join Earthplace to gain valuable hands-on experience in removing invasive plants and planting native species that provide food and habitat for birds. You’ll leave with the knowledge and tools to create a bird friendly, sustainable space in your own yard — making a lasting, positive impact on the environment right at home.

Register Here

Saturday, May 10

Westport Garden Club Annual Plant Sale

Time: 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Location: Jesup Green at the Westport Library, 20 Jesup Rd., Westport, CT 06880

Sponsor: Westport Garden Club

Westport Garden Club’s annual plant sale features 1,200+ homegrown plants including perennials and natives. Master gardeners will be on hand to provide guidance on choosing the best native plants for your particular site. Shoppers can also find container gardens, gifts, special tools and even baked goods. Make sure to stop by the Sustainable Westport table for a chance to win a special raffle prize!

More information here.

Thursday, May 15

Seeds of Change: Your Yard, Our Climate

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Location: Westport Farmers Market at the Imperial parking lot, 50 Imperial Ave., Westport, CT 06880

Sponsor: Westport Farmers Market, Westport Library Seed Library & Sustainable Westport

Visit the Sustainable Westport table at the Westport Farmers Market and take home more than just fresh produce! Stop by to learn about Your Yard, Our Climate and pick up free seeds from the Westport Library SEED Library. Discover how small changes in your yard can have a big impact on the environment while supporting local farmers and community sustainability efforts.

Saturday, May 17

Greens Farms Garden Club Plant Sale

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Location: Sherman Town Green, 1451 Post Rd., Fairfield, CT 06824

Sponsor: Green’s Farms Garden Club

Join the Green’s Farms Garden Club for their annual plant sale, where you’ll find a beautiful selection of locally grown plants, including perennials, annuals, pollinator-friendly flowers, and more! Our knowledgeable members will be on hand to offer gardening tips and help you choose the perfect plants for your space. Don’t miss this chance to support our community while enhancing your garden with high-quality, sustainable plants!

Sunday, June 8

BioBlitz

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: Earthplace, 10 Woodside Ln., Westport, CT 06880

Sponsor: Earthplace & Greens Farms Garden Club

Want to know what lives in your yard? Want to increase biodiversity in your yard? Learning about local plants and wildlife is a great first step to creating a healthier yard.  A BioBlitz is a communal effort to record as many species within a designated location and time period as possible. No expertise needed- Earthplace will teach you to identify and record all species on their property, and you’ll be able to take what you learn home and have your own bioblitz in your yard! Volunteer refreshments provided by Greens Farms Garden Club.

Register Here

Monday, June 23

Digging Deeper: Ecological Gardening for Beauty and Biodiversity with Joe Gardener

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Location: The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Rd., Westport, CT 06880

Sponsor: Sustainable Westport & The Westport Library

Sustainable Westport is thrilled to partner with The Westport Library to welcome Joe Lamp’l (a.k.a. Joe Gardener), one of the most trusted and sought-after voices in the gardening world, to share his expertise with our community.  In this special event, Joe will share how we can enhance the beauty of our yards while also improving their ecological health. He will provide a practical blueprint for ecological gardening success, covering topics such as promoting healthy soil, reducing lawn size and reliance on harmful chemicals, and understanding the importance of native vs. invasive plants. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to gain valuable insights and actionable tips for a more sustainable landscape!

Register Here

Want to stay informed as new events and event details are announced?

Join us on Monday, June 23 for our capstone event!

Mark your calendars for our final event at The Westport Library with Joe Gardener, one of the most trusted voices in the gardening world. He will share valuable insights on enhancing the beauty of your yard while promoting ecological health. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a leading expert in sustainable gardening.

Register Here

Our Coalition

We are honored to partner with several organizations in the Westport community to bring Your Yard, Our Climate to life.

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