The Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust Speaker Series brings together the community and experts to explore how we can reclaim and restore Western New York’s waterfronts.

Through these conversations, we highlight our mission to clean, protect, and keep these places in trust—ensuring public access, environmental health, and community pride for generations to come.

We’ll ask, What is a brownfield? What is the difference between a Land Bank, a Land Conservancy, and a Land Trust? We will learn about phytoremediation–the use of plants and trees that are especially good for removing contaminants from the soil, groundwater, and sediment–think cattails and cottonwood trees.

Ken Parker is an Indigenous horticulturist and member of the Seneca Nation of Indians with over thirty years of experience as a professional grower, nurseryman, consultant, and public speaker. He is a lifetime New York State Certified Nursery Landscape Professional (CNLP) and former trainer for the National Green Infrastructure Program. Ken has participated in many conservation and restoration projects. He has been instrumental in cultivating, installing, educating, and advocating for indigenous flora throughout the United States and Canada. Currently, Ken serves as the Native Plant Specialist at Masterson’s Garden Center and holds roles as Membership Chair and board member at Wild Ones WNY.

Conservation Conversations - Best Native Plants for WNY Gardens

By Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust Inc

Conservation Conversations - Best Native Plants for WNY Gardens

Featuring Ken Parker, CNLP, The Native Plant Guy