May 8 from 7-8:30pm. Online.

It’s hard to imagine, but white-tailed deer were once nearly extinct in dozens of states. Their abundance now puts them at odds with most gardeners, who become frustrated by the ineffectiveness of conventional methods such as use of repellent sprays and so-called “deer-resistant” species that end up getting browsed. Add to the mix all the resident rabbits, squirrels, and groundhogs, and many gardeners are ready to throw in the trowel. But by understanding plant resistance and tolerance strategies as well as animal behaviors and natural histories, we can create resilient gardens that will support a diversity of vertebrate and invertebrate life in our home habitats. Join author Nancy Lawson to discover how a combination of strategies—including mixtures of preferred and unpalatable species, strategic plantings along well-used pathways, and gentle exclusion techniques—can help you trade resistance for peaceful coexistence.

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Nancy Lawson’s latest book is Wildscape: Trilling Chipmunks, Beckoning Blooms, Salty Butterflies, and other Sensory Wonders of Nature. A master naturalist and habitat consultant, she pioneers creative wildlife-friendly landscaping methods, and helped launch a community science project, Monarch Rx, based on scientific discoveries made in her own garden.