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Image for event: Incorporating Native Plants for Biodiversity

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Incorporating Native Plants for Biodiversity

Part I: Understanding Native and Non-Native Plants

2025-04-26 11:00:00 2025-04-26 12:30:00 America/New_York Incorporating Native Plants for Biodiversity Janet Entwistle will give a seminar on practical ways to enhance our local ecosystem through planting native plants and following supportive maintenance routines. Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room

Saturday, April 26
11:00am - 12:30pm

Add to Calendar 2025-04-26 11:00:00 2025-04-26 12:30:00 America/New_York Incorporating Native Plants for Biodiversity Janet Entwistle will give a seminar on practical ways to enhance our local ecosystem through planting native plants and following supportive maintenance routines. Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room

Janet Entwistle will give a seminar on practical ways to enhance our local ecosystem through planting native plants and following supportive maintenance routines.

Janet Entwistle will give a seminar on practical ways to enhance our local ecosystem through planting native plants and following supportive maintenance routines.

Do you want to know why it is important to incorporate more native plants into your garden? Do you want to learn how to do this in a practical and affordable way? Are there gardening practices that you can include in your fall clean up routine that will help facilitate a healthy local ecosystem?

In this talk, Janet will touch on the following topics:

  • Why is it important to help protect biodiversity in our own backyards?
  • How does incorporating more native plants protect local ecosystems?
  • Are all non-native plants jeopardizing the local ecosystem?
  • Do I have to revamp my entire garden in order to sustain local wildlife?
  • How should I approach fall clean up to encourage a healthy local ecosystem?
  • Where can I find more information?

Janet says, "all my life I have been a gardener. But after I retired from the World Bank, I enrolled in a Master Gardener program where all that I had previously read and experimented with in my own garden crystallized. I came to realize the importance of planting native plants to maintain biodiverse local ecosystems and contribute to global biodiversity and a healthy planet. I am now in the process of (slowly) converting my own garden to incorporate more native plants, modernizing other outdated but familiar gardening practices, and using the knowledge I gained in the Master Gardener program and my practical experience to help others in the community do the same thing.”

There will be a follow up session on Thursday, May 1 at 6 PM on selecting the right native plants for your garden. 

This event is made possible through a partnership with the Alexandria Beautification Commission.

Alexandria Beautification Commission

The Alexandria Beautification Commission (ABC) was established by the City to advise City Council and citizens on all matters related to City beautification. Our goals are to:

Inspire beautification through an Awards program,
Promote environmental sustainability through collaboration and engagement with City Council, City staff, and private organizations, and
Educate local community on beautification & sustainability best practices.
Contact ssevern@alexlibraryva.org for more information.

Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library

dprice@alexlibraryva.org
Phone: 703.746.1702
Fax: 703.746.1763
Branch manager
Diana Price

Hours
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Mon, Apr 20 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Apr 21 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Apr 22 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Apr 23 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Apr 24 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Apr 25 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Apr 26 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

Parking: The library has a large parking lot with 175 spaces.

Public Transit:

  • Metrorail: King Street Station (Yellow & Blue Lines 3.2 miles); Van Dorn Station (Blue Line 2.1 miles)
  • Metrobus: F23, F24, A28
  • DASH Bus: 30, 32

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org or call 703.746.1701 or TTY 703.746.1790.

Upcoming Events

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Wed, Apr 22, All day
Celebrate National Poetry Month and great American poets by adding your poem to Beatley’s poet-trees in the children’s and teen areas and experimenting with magnetic poetry. (all ages)

Wed, Apr 22, All day
Artists' tiny artworks, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of America 250, will be on display in the library through May 2.

Wed, Apr 22, 10:30am - 11:00am
Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2

Wed, Apr 22, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2

Wed, Apr 22, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Small Conference Room
This volunteer-led workshop provides a space for intermediate speakers to practice English and build confidence. No registration required. No certificates of completion are issued.

Wed, Apr 22, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Learn to knit under the guidance of experienced knitters. All supplies will be provided. Ages 8-18.

Thu, Apr 23, All day
Celebrate National Poetry Month and great American poets by adding your poem to Beatley’s poet-trees in the children’s and teen areas and experimenting with magnetic poetry. (all ages)

Thu, Apr 23, All day
Artists' tiny artworks, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of America 250, will be on display in the library through May 2.

Thu, Apr 23, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Beginning English practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English. These workshops are led by volunteers and do not include certificates of completion.

Thu, Apr 23, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-14 months, accompanied by an adult. 15 months and older, please attend 1s and 2s.

Thu, Apr 23, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Small Conference Room
Attention all handcrafters! Join us to share what you are working on, see what others are creating, and just chat while we craft together!

Thu, Apr 23, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Large Meeting Room
Join Miss Amy for stories, songs, movement, and activities just right for preschool children. Ages 3-5 with adult.

Thu, Apr 23, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden,Large Meeting Room
Join Jorge Banales as he gives free instruction on the Yang Style 24 Movement Tai Chi form on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. Free and open to the public.

Rescheduled
Thu, Apr 23, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
New date Monday, May 18, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Ages 14-19. Participate in this special recorded conversation about being a teen in Alexandria.

Thu, Apr 23, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Story Room
Drop in and play with our coding board games, card games, toys, and robots! Ages 6-12.

Fri, Apr 24, All day
Celebrate National Poetry Month and great American poets by adding your poem to Beatley’s poet-trees in the children’s and teen areas and experimenting with magnetic poetry. (all ages)

Fri, Apr 24, All day
Artists' tiny artworks, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of America 250, will be on display in the library through May 2.

Sat, Apr 25, All day
Celebrate National Poetry Month and great American poets by adding your poem to Beatley’s poet-trees in the children’s and teen areas and experimenting with magnetic poetry. (all ages)

Sat, Apr 25, All day
Artists' tiny artworks, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of America 250, will be on display in the library through May 2.

Sat, Apr 25, 10:00am - 4:45pm
Use the library's board and card games while hanging out in the youth services area!

Sat, Apr 25, 10:30am - 4:30pm
Large Meeting Room
Grand Gaming Melee: The Alexandria-Arlington Regional Gaming Group (AARGGH) invites you to play dice games, card games, tile games, and just about any other kind of tabletop game. Register

Sat, Apr 25, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden,Story Room
All ages are welcome to create a personal time capsule to commemorate America's 250th anniversary. Materials will be provided.

Sun, Apr 26, All day
Artists' tiny artworks, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of America 250, will be on display in the library through May 2.

Sun, Apr 26, All day
Celebrate National Poetry Month and great American poets by adding your poem to Beatley’s poet-trees in the children’s and teen areas and experimenting with magnetic poetry. (all ages)

Sun, Apr 26, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Learn about the art of cross-stitch, a craft popular during the American Colonial period. Create a small sampler to take home.

Mon, Apr 27, All day
Artists' tiny artworks, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of America 250, will be on display in the library through May 2.

Mon, Apr 27, All day
Celebrate National Poetry Month and great American poets by adding your poem to Beatley’s poet-trees in the children’s and teen areas and experimenting with magnetic poetry. (all ages)

Mon, Apr 27, 11:00am - 11:30am
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Children love to be outdoors! Join us in Beatley Central Library's beautiful outdoor Reading Garden for stories, songs and movement. Ages 0-5 with an adult.

Mon, Apr 27, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Story Room
No one's too old to enjoy being read to! Relax and unwind while a librarian reads you a story or two that explores 250+ years of American history. Ages 6-12 (and anyone who can sit quietly and listen)

Mon, Apr 27, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages 12-18. Do homework, play games, and just hang out in an area set aside for teens ONLY!

Mon, Apr 27, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Small Conference Room
This volunteer-led workshop provides a space for intermediate speakers to practice English and build confidence. No registration required. No certificates of completion are issued.

Tue, Apr 28, All day
Celebrate National Poetry Month and great American poets by adding your poem to Beatley’s poet-trees in the children’s and teen areas and experimenting with magnetic poetry. (all ages)

Tue, Apr 28, All day
Artists' tiny artworks, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of America 250, will be on display in the library through May 2.

Tue, Apr 28, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Beginning English practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English. These workshops are led by volunteers and do not include certificates of completion.

Tue, Apr 28, 11:00am - 11:45am
Meet your old friends and make new friends at an unstructured, outdoor playtime in the library's Reading Garden! Toys will be supplied. Ages 0-5 with an adult.

Tue, Apr 28, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Learn to embroider, play colonial-era ninepins, and learn about 1770s America through the eyes of American Girl Doll Felicity Merriman! (Ages 6-12)

Tue, Apr 28, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Large Meeting Room
At this workshop you will learn how to install and maintain a rain barrel and build one to take home. Registration is required, with a fee of $55 for the cost of the barrel.Register

Wed, Apr 29, All day
Celebrate National Poetry Month and great American poets by adding your poem to Beatley’s poet-trees in the children’s and teen areas and experimenting with magnetic poetry. (all ages)

Wed, Apr 29, All day
Artists' tiny artworks, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of America 250, will be on display in the library through May 2.

Wed, Apr 29, 10:30am - 11:00am
Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2

Wed, Apr 29, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2

Wed, Apr 29, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Small Conference Room
This volunteer-led workshop provides a space for intermediate speakers to practice English and build confidence. No registration required. No certificates of completion are issued.

Wed, Apr 29, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Learn to knit under the guidance of experienced knitters. All supplies will be provided. Ages 8-18.

Thu, Apr 30, All day
Artists' tiny artworks, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of America 250, will be on display in the library through May 2.

Thu, Apr 30, All day
Celebrate National Poetry Month and great American poets by adding your poem to Beatley’s poet-trees in the children’s and teen areas and experimenting with magnetic poetry. (all ages)

Thu, Apr 30, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Beginning English practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English. These workshops are led by volunteers and do not include certificates of completion.

Thu, Apr 30, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-14 months, accompanied by an adult. 15 months and older, please attend 1s and 2s.

Thu, Apr 30, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Periodicals Room
Join Miss Amy for stories, songs, movement, and activities just right for preschool children. Ages 3-5 with adult.

Thu, Apr 30, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Large Meeting Room
Guidance on patching, hemming, sewing on buttons, and Japanese Sashiko mending. All supplies included. Ages 14 and up.

Thu, Apr 30, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Board Room
Ages 14-19. Participate in this special recorded conversation about being a teen in Alexandria.

Thu, Apr 30, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Story Room
Drop in and play with our coding board games, card games, toys, and robots! Ages 6-12.

Fri, May 01, All day
Artists' tiny artworks, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of America 250, will be on display in the library through May 2.

Sat, May 02, All day
Artists' tiny artworks, inspired by the All Alexandria Reads theme of America 250, will be on display in the library through May 2.

Sun, May 03, 1:00pm - 4:30pm
Small Conference Room
This is a twice-monthly forum for writers to work on drafts, network, and share moral support. Meets first and third Sundays. All are welcome!

Sun, May 03, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Make a covered button, a popular colonial era craft, and create a keychain.

Mon, May 04, 11:00am - 11:30am
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Children love to be outdoors! Join us in Beatley Central Library's beautiful outdoor Reading Garden for stories, songs and movement. Ages 0-5 with an adult.

Mon, May 04, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages 12-18. Do homework, play games, and just hang out in an area set aside for teens ONLY!

Tue, May 05, 11:00am - 11:45am
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Meet your old friends and make new friends at an unstructured, outdoor playtime in the library's Reading Garden! Toys will be supplied. Ages 0-5 with an adult.

Tue, May 05, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Celebrate the American Girl Company’s 40th birthday and meet Alexandria Library’s BRAND NEW American Girl dolls! (Ages 6-12)

Tue, May 05, 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Ages 12-18. Learn more about volunteering with Alexandria Library.

Wed, May 06, 10:30am - 11:00am
Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2

Wed, May 06, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2

Wed, May 06, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Story Room
Do you want to practice reading aloud? Do you like dogs? Sign up for a 15-minute reading slot to read to a dog by calling (703) 746-1753 or by stopping by Beatley's Children's Desk. Ages 6-12.

Thu, May 07, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-14 months, accompanied by an adult. 15 months and older, please attend 1s and 2s.

Thu, May 07, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Small Conference Room
Attention all handcrafters! Join us to share what you are working on, see what others are creating, and just chat while we craft together!

Thu, May 07, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Large Meeting Room
Join Miss Amy for stories, songs, movement, and activities just right for preschool children. Ages 3-5 with adult.

Thu, May 07, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Story Room
Drop in and play with our coding board games, card games, toys, and robots! Ages 6-12.

Sat, May 09, 10:30am - 10:50am
Learn about the artwork in the Take A Seat exhibit by taking a guided tour with a volunteer teen docent.

Sat, May 09, 10:30am - 11:30am
Small Conference Room
French language practice for adults ready to move from formal instruction to real life conversation.

Sat, May 09, 11:30am - 11:50am
Learn about the artwork in the Take A Seat exhibit by taking a guided tour with a volunteer teen docent.

Sat, May 09, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Large Meeting Room
Come see all the completed chairs displayed at the Beatley Central Branch and hear from a panel of participating Take A Seat artists and art experts discussing the project.

Sat, May 09, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Story Room
Ages 6-12. Explore open and closed circuits while making a simple robot!

Sat, May 09, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Attention all handcrafters! Join us to share what you are working on, see what others are creating, and just chat while we craft together!

Mon, May 11, 11:00am - 11:30am
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Children love to be outdoors! Join us in Beatley Central Library's beautiful outdoor Reading Garden for stories, songs and movement. Ages 0-5 with an adult.

Mon, May 11, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages 12-18. Do homework, play games, and just hang out in an area set aside for teens ONLY!

Tue, May 12, 11:00am - 11:45am
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Meet your old friends and make new friends at an unstructured, outdoor playtime in the library's Reading Garden! Toys will be supplied. Ages 0-5 with an adult.

Tue, May 12, 6:15pm - 7:00pm
Large Meeting Room
This presentation provides an overview of workplace rights for employees who are pregnant, postpartum or lactating in the DMV area.