The Unity Gardens mission is to educate diverse Anne Arundel County communities to create and sustain ecological spaces that enhance life—one native garden at a time. Join us in our quest to build a healthier Chesapeake Bay region with the power of native plants: Sponsorship opportunities and ticket sales are now open for Unity Gardens’ 2026 Annual Spring lecture! This year's event will feature Alison Milligan, a sustainable gardening expert with deep ties to and knowledge of Anne Arundel County. 

Gardening with Native Plants – One Square Yard at a Time: Interested in making a positive impact on the environment but you’re short on time and space?  If you have just one square yard available in your yard you can make a difference.  This presentation will show the power of native plants and illustrate multiple examples of how to use them in a single square yard to prevent erosion, support pollinators, suppress weeds and impress your neighbors.  Along the way you’ll learn practical site assessment and planting tips and tricks to save time and money. Planting can be fun and rewarding for everyone – come learn how! Alison is a Class 7 Watershed Steward, a Master Gardener, Master Naturalist and a Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP). She writes the blog, Latin for Gardeners that is featured on the WSA site.