Rethinking Seasonal Cleanup: Why Less Can Be More for Wildlife (in person)

Date: Tue, Nov 10, 2026

Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Venue: Duke Gardens–Pelham-Cullen Classroom in the Barnes Welcome Center, Durham

Price: Free

Category: Outdoors

Are you unsure about when to cut back dormant plants or how many leaves to leave behind? Perhaps you've heard about stem-nesting bees or insects that overwinter in fallen foliage and want to support them. Traditional garden practice dictated raking leaves and cutting everything back to "tidy up" before winter. Today, delaying cutbacks and leaving fallen leaves has become more common as gardeners appreciate plants’ unique winter beauty and prioritize wildlife. The best approach depends on your landscape goals and priorities, and this session will help you navigate seasonal cutbacks and leaf management. Join Shannon Currey, education and outreach at Izel Native Plants, to learn strategies that support local wildlife while maintaining a landscape that looks cared for and intentional. This description is for the in-person attendance option—register separately to attend virtually. Fee: Free; registration required. Parking: Parking fees apply. Location: Pelham-Cullen Classroom inside the Barnes Welcome Center. A recording will be shared with all registrants. Accessibility: This program takes place seated in an indoor location accessible via paved surfaces and equipped with a hearing loop, which transmits sound directly to hearing aids and cochlear implants with a T-coil setting. Accessible restrooms are available onsite.