Manada Conservancy will present "For the Love of Groundcovers" on Thursday, April 11, at 7 p.m. in the conservatory at Hershey Gardens, 170 Hotel Road, Hershey.

Garden design is constantly evolving due to changing tastes and new botanical insights. Groundcovers are a critical component of garden ecology even though they are often overlooked for more showy species. They function as a green mulch to prevent weeds and retain soil moisture, as well as to connect the whole garden together. In the presentation, Ian Gardner of Green Gardner Designs will share how to use native groundcovers to improve not only a garden, but also the local ecosystem.

Jes and Ian Gardner, with a little help from their young son, run a native and edible plant landscaping company. Ian started his career as an intern at Manada Conservancy and worked for several years as a wildlife biologist at Fort Indiantown Gap.

The program is free. To register, visit http://www.manada.org/events/.

Manada Conservancy has also slated its 24th annual native plant sale. The event will take place on Saturday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at East Hanover Township's Nature Park, 328 N. Crawford Road, Grantville.

The event will feature vendors selling regional native plants, artwork, and food; Mother's Day baskets; giveaway drawings; kids' activities; and a guided nature walk. Conservancy members will receive a discount on conservancy-grown plants purchased at the event.

Proceeds will go toward the land preservation and environmental education efforts of Manada Conservancy, a nonprofit land trust serving Dauphin County. For additional information, visit http://www.manada.org, call 717-566-4122 or email office@manada.org.