SPEAKER FORUM
We are excited to offer all of our Speaker Series sessions at no cost, thanks to the incredible support of our community and corporate sponsors.
Throughout the day, our expert-led sessions will feature local and regional specialists on hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, bats, and other beneficial insects — plus dedicated talks on the vital role of native plants in our ecosystems.
Complimentary snacks and drinks will be available during all non-meal sessions.
Course participation is open to anyone, whether you’d like to join us for the full day or just attend the sessions that interest you.
Beyond the sessions, the festival grounds will be bustling with vendors and food trucks near the June Wheeler Memorial Hummingbird Garden, along with additional educational opportunities from guest speakers and community nature-based organizations in the garden itself.
We are deeply grateful to the City of Southaven Parks & Rec Department for providing outstanding venues and for supporting this important community event.
Saturday, September 13, 2025
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Forever Young, Snowden Grove Park
(The Speaker Forum will be held adjacent to the June Wheeler Memorial Hummingbird Garden, all within the same park.)
Schedule of Events:
• 8:00 AM Breakfast Talk (limited to 50 registered attendees) – Butterflies — Start your morning with beauty, knowledge, and great food. A complimentary breakfast will be provided by The Bagel Nook Southaven.
• 9:00 AM – Native Plants for Pollinators & Habitat — Learn how native plants support pollinators, provide year-round benefits for birds, and help restore local ecosystems.
• 10:00 AM – Hummingbirds — Discover fascinating facts about these tiny aerial acrobats, their migration journeys, and how to create a safe, food-rich environment to attract them.
• 11:00 AM – Bees & Their Vital Role — From honeybees to native solitary bees, explore their crucial role in pollination and how you can help them thrive in your own backyard.
• 12:00 PM Lunch Talk (limited to 50 registered attendees) – Gardening for Birds — Learn how to design your landscape to provide food, shelter, and nesting spaces for a variety of bird species year-round. A complimentary lunch will be provided.
• 1:00 PM – Beneficial Insects for Your Backyard — Discover the many insect species that help control pests, support pollination, and maintain a healthy, balanced ecosystem.
• 2:00 PM – Bats & Nighttime Pollinators — Uncover the lesser-known world of nocturnal pollinators and their impact on ecosystems and food production.
RSVP
RSVP
We are excited to offer all of our Speaker Series sessions at no cost, thanks to the incredible support of our community and corporate sponsors.
Throughout the day, our expert-led sessions will feature local and regional specialists on hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, bats, and other beneficial insects — plus dedicated talks on the vital role of native plants in our ecosystems.