Free Public Programs

Have you ever wondered how plants are able to travel across a landscape? Most of us are familiar with the seeds that are able to be blown by the wind (think milkweed, dandelions, trees that produce ‘helicopter seeds’ like elm and maple. 
What about non ‘flighty’ seeds? What is their strategy for dispersal? Who have they partnered with over millennia to ‘carry’ out this job for them? 
Were you able to take the class with Jay Clark at the Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail? How did the spring ephemerals move around the cove?

Why is this important? Learning how ants help spread native plant seeds is essential because it reveals an often‑overlooked partnership that shapes our forest understories. Many spring ephemerals and woodland plants rely on ants to carry their seeds to safe, nutrient‑rich places where they can germinate. This process—called myrmecochory—not only protects seeds from predators but also helps plants expand their populations and maintain genetic diversity. Understanding this relationship reminds us that healthy plant communities depend on healthy insect communities, and that even tiny creatures like ants play an outsized role in sustaining our native ecosystems.

Workshop Overview
This hands-on course introduces participants to the fascinating world of ants and their
ecological roles in native plant gardens. Through field-based observation and interactive
activities, learners will identify common ant species found in gardens and nearby habitats, investigate how ants disperse seeds, form mutualistic partnerships, and exploit
resources—ultimately influencing the composition and health of native plant communities.

This class will be taught by Dr. DeAnna Beasley, UTC professor and researcher.