Beyond Pretty: Gardens That Matter
Special Moments in Our Gardens
Presenter: Cathy Kavassalis
Cathy Kavassalis, Master Gardener (Halton Region); conservationist; doctoral work at M.I.T.; master’s in environmental education from the University of Toronto; member of the Board of Directors for the Royal Botanical Gardens; co‑founder of the Canadian Coalition for Invasive Plant Regulation.
Speaker Profile
Cathy Kavassalis is a Master Gardener, environmental educator, and co-founder of the Canadian Coalition for Invasive Plant Regulation. She is passionate about helping gardeners understand how their plant choices shape the health of local ecosystems. Through her work with Master Gardeners, public gardens, municipalities, and environmental organizations, Cathy promotes science-based gardening practices that support biodiversity, ecological resilience, and sustainable communities. In her presentations, she combines practical horticultural knowledge with a deep appreciation for the interconnected relationships between plants, insects, wildlife, and people, inspiring gardeners to create landscapes that are both beautiful and beneficial.
Beyond Pretty: Gardens That Matter
Beautiful gardens lift our spirits, but they can do so much more. Every garden, no matter its size, can provide food, support pollinators and birds, build healthy soil, and strengthen the living systems we all depend on.
In this inspiring and practical talk, you’ll discover how small design choices can turn your space into a vibrant, productive landscape that gives back. Learn how fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers can work together to feed your household while also nourishing beneficial insects, improving soil life, and creating habitat. You’ll see how thoughtful plant choices help gardens become more resilient to drought, heat, and heavy rain, while remaining beautiful and enjoyable.
You don’t need more space, more time, or more work. You just need a shift in perspective. Whether you grow food on a balcony, in raised beds, or in a backyard, you’ll leave with simple, achievable ideas to make your garden more abundant, more resilient, and more connected to the natural world.
Because a truly great garden doesn’t just look good — it does good.
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Discover the Full 2027 Speaker Lineup
We invite you to explore inspiring season of presentations curated by our Speaker Series Program Leads. Follow the link below to view the complete lineup of speakers, learn about their areas of expertise, and dive into their profiles. It’s a remarkable collection of voices shaping the horticultural conversation in Ottawa and beyond.
https://ottawahort.org/speaker-series-2027/
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NOTE:
* Effective September 23rd, 2026, all in-person presentations will be held at St. Mark's church, 1606 Fisher Avenue, Ottawa. Free parking available behind the church.
* Online presentations will be streamed live via Zoom (link provided to members in the Grapevine newsletter), and later posted on the OHS YouTube channel for those unable to attend starting at 7:30 PM.
* In-person presentations begin at 7:30 PM, following the OHS announcements and refreshment period from 7:00-7:30 PM.
u003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eJune 16: In-person presentation by Nancy McDonald, u003cemu003eMaster Gardener of Ottawa-Carleton and member of the Ottawa Horticultural Societyu003c/emu003eu003c/strongu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eu003cemu003eCulinary Delights Witu003c/emu003eu003c/strongu003eu003cstrongu003eu003cemu003eh Herbs and Edible Floweru003c/emu003eu003c/strongu003eu003cstrongu003eu003cemu003esu003c/emu003eu003c/strongu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cemu003eu003cimg src=u0022https://ottawahort.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/NancyMcDonald-290x300.webpu0022 width=u0022244u0022 height=u0022252u0022 alt=u0022u0022 class=u0022wp-image-221018 alignnone size-mediumu0022 /u003e u003cimg src=u0022https://ottawahort.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Nancy-MacDonald-2.webpu0022 width=u0022300u0022 height=u0022244u0022 alt=u0022u0022 class=u0022wp-image-221020 alignnone size-fullu0022 /u003e u003c/emu003eu003cstrongu003eu003cemu003e u003c/emu003eu003c/strongu003eu003cstrongu003eu003cemu003e u003c/emu003eu003c/strongu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eNancy McDonald, Master Gardener, will shed a new light on how we can enjoy the fruits of our gardening labor in a different way. Join us for a flavorful gardening talk that explores the culinary magic of herbs and edible flowers. Learn how to grow, harvest and use these aromatic and colorful plants to elevate your cooking and add beauty to your plate. You'll discover creative ways to incorporate garden-fresh ingredients into everyday meals and special occasions.u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eu003cemu003eSpeaker profileu003cbr /u003eu003c/emu003eu003c/strongu003eNancy McDonald grew up on a farm on PEI and learned the practical aspects of gardening from her parents. Her love of flowers came from spending time in her grandmother’s beautiful mixed garden. After 42 years of a very fulfilling nursing career, Nancy’s thoughts turned to retirement and volunteer opportunities. She has been a member of the Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton for 15 years. As a Master Gardener, Nancy completed the Pollinator Steward Certification in 2024. She is a member of the Ottawa Horticultural Society and continues to enjoy her small suburban garden and the birds, bees and butterflies that visit. She also enjoys making flavorful recipes in her kitchen using herbs and edible flowers from her garden.u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003e***********************************************u003c/strongu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eDiscover the Full 2026 Speaker Lineupu003c/strongu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eWe invite you to explore inspiring season of presentations curated by our Speaker Series Program Leads. Follow the link below to view the complete lineup of speakers, learn about their areas of expertise, and dive into their profiles. It’s a remarkable collection of voices shaping the horticultural conversation in Ottawa and beyond.u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003ca href=u0022https://ottawahort.org/speaker-series-2026/u0022u003eView the Speaker Series 2026 Programu003c/au003eu003c/pu003e