A gathering for all plant lovers to connect, learn, and grow!

The Cultivation & Education Expo is an Earth Day celebration for plant enthusiasts to connect, learn, and grow. The event will be held on April 21st at The Eagle’s Dare in Wilmington, NC, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Highlights include a plant potting workshop, free guest lectures by local scientists and educators including Dr. Zachary Long and Amy Long from UNC Wilmington, and Lloyd Singleton on sustainable landscaping, as well as networking opportunities and a variety of goods from local vendors.

Click Here for the Facebook Event Page

FREE TREES!

Thanks to TreeFest, we will be giving away 100 FREE trees of the following native species: Overcup Oak, Black Walnut, Persimmon, Willow Oak, Chickasaw Plum, Bald Cypress, and Red Maple. While supplies last!

Interested in volunteering with the tree giveaway? Contact ThePlantEcologist@gmail.com

Learn more about TreeFest

Get Your Hands Dirty!

Celebrate Earth Day with The Plant Ecologist by creating your very own 6" planter! You'll receive a 6" planter and a selection of two beautiful plants, perfect for adding a touch of greenery to your porch, balcony, or a sunny window.

Pre-registration required!

Register Here

Sustainable Landscaping

Explore the principles of sustainable landscaping with Lloyd Singleton, Director of the New Hanover County Arboretum. In this engaging lecture, you'll learn how to create beautiful and functional outdoor spaces that prioritize ecological balance and resource efficiency.

Lloyd Singleton is the director of the Arboretum, located at 6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, N.C. He can be reached at lsingleton@nhcgov.com. The grounds are free and open daily from 8 a.m.– 5 p.m.

Discover Ecology

Dr. Zachary Long is an Associate Professor of Coastal Plant Ecology at UNC Wilmington. His research focuses on understanding the dynamics of species interactions and their impact on ecosystem functioning.

Amy Long is a Senior Lecturer and Certified North Carolina Environmental Educator®. She leads a research program focused on restoring native plant populations to degraded environments, particularly in coastal areas.

Networking & Local Vendors

Discover a community of plant lovers and shop from local vendors between 11 AM and 3 PM.

Participating Vendors:

More Information

Interested in becoming a vendor?

There is no vendor fee, but space is limited. Click here to apply.

Want to volunteer?

We are in need of volunteers to distribute free native trees. Please click here to register.

Is this event kid friendly?

Yes! However, we ask you to be respectful of the environment and monitor your children at all times. Minors should never be left unattended.