Trees and Shrubs Through an Ecological Lens

With Steve Sass and Amanda Smith at 10 AM

• Trees & Shrubs: Trees and shrubs form the basis of our Midwestern landscapes, but aside from “native,” what criteria are we using to evaluate the ecological contributions of plant selections? This program will go “beyond native” by diving deeper into ecosystem services, biological and genetic diversity, climate change considerations, and other factors influencing ecologically responsible woody plant selection. Attendees will better understand how societal norms, current tree-planting initiatives, and other factors impact ecosystem health and the role they can play in building a more ecologically sustainable planet.
• Bios: When Steve Sass and Amanda Smith met in 2015, they realized they had a shared vision for improving Indiana’s ecological literacy and practices. Together, they gathered their decades of experience to engage audiences and refine habitat management practices.
• The following year, they founded Indiana Nature LLC, which includes the “IN Nature” educational initiative and the ecological services brand — Ecometrid. Steve and Amanda‘s accomplishments include co-authoring the City of South Bend’s Natural Resources Management Plan and Invasive Plant Ordinance, amending Saint Joseph County’s rank vegetation ordinance to allow exceptions for native plants and pollinator gardens, and serving on the Lepidoptera Task Force for the international organization, Pollinator Partnership.
• Their current endeavors include finishing their first of several planned books, Botanical Time Bombs: A Historical Look at the Accidental and Intentional Introduction of Indiana’s Invasive Plants, which provides a detailed look at the pathways of the 126 invasive species in Indiana. Under the Ecometrid brand, they design, manage, and maintain restored and recreated midwestern landscapes. Their clients and partners include state and local government entities, landscape architects, teachers, and sustainability professionals.

Coming Soon!

TBA at 11:30 AM

Details TBA!

Seed Saving for Quality, Sovereignty, and Adaptation

With Christi Nickey at 1 PM

• Seed Saving: Christi will be sharing with us her passion for seed saving, highlighting the importance of selection and adaptation as we steward seeds into the future. Seeds are the basis of life and face increasing pressure from corporate control and consolidation, how can we shift our focus in our own gardens to ensure healthy seed for the future? She will also give clear examples of how to grow crops for seed in your home garden and share basic skills for seed cleaning and preservation. 
• Bio: Christi Nickey is an Indiana native with deep roots in the Munsee-Delaware and Moravian communities, with decades of experience in local and regional food systems. Christi brings years of experience from working in restaurants, food hubs, farmers markets and CSA’s along with formal education in Animal Science and  Regenerative Organic Agriculture earning her Master’s from MIU in Fairfield, Iowa. She recently spent two years as the field manager at Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa before joining the staff at Merry Lea in March of 2025.