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Think Natives First™ Plant Conference 2026

from Plan to Performance

Tuesday, August 11

8:30a – 5:30p

Gwinnett Technical College

5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30043

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2026 Steering Committee

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Tyler Wayland, Chair
BDM, Roundstone Native Seed
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Gayatri Chandra
CEO & Founder, Roots & Petals
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Michael Cowan
Georgia Native Plant Society
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Tres Crow
Owner, GreenBox Homes
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Lee Dalton
Executive Director, Root Local
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Dr. Richard Ludwig
Landscape Design Workshops
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Trecia Neal
Wild Roots Native Nursery
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Johanna Ellis Reisinger
Board Chair, Root Local
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Ingrid Schafrick
Volunteer, Root Local
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Leticia Socal
Volunteer, Root Local
Butch Whitfield
Butch Whitfield
Vice Board Chair, Root Local

Meet the Experts

The 2026 curated lineup of changemakers who are already leading the charge in “thinking natives first.”

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Ashley Frasca

Host of “Green and Growing with Ashley Frasca”

Ashley Frasca has been a staple at 95.5 WSB Radio in Atlanta for more than 15 years. She helps folks navigate Atlanta traffic each morning, and her Saturday morning garden show “Green and Growing with Ashley Frasca” is one of the newest shows on 95.5 WSB! It is a must-listen in Georgia and beyond, for those who want to be successful with their lawn, landscape or garden.

For eight years, Ashley served as producer for the “Lawn & Garden Show,” under Walter Reeves. When Walter retired in February 2020, she became the host of “Green and Growing with Ashley Frasca,” airing every Saturday from 6-9 a.m. The show covers garden basics and includes expert interviews, features from around town, and garden questions from listeners.

Speaker Lineup Coming Soon

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