DAYTON, Ohio — In an era defined by rapid urbanization, habitat fragmentation, and pressing ecological concerns, local environmental partnerships have never been more critical. Beginning Wednesday, September 2, 2026, and running through Wednesday, September 30, a powerful new collaboration will take root in the Miami Valley. Deeply Rooted Landscapes and Aullwood Audubon are officially expanding their multi-year alliance to launch the Deeply Rooted Landscapes Retail Pop-Up Nursery at Aullwood Farm.
This month-long seasonal retail experience represents more than just a pop-up garden center; it is a strategic step forward in regional conservation. By offering an accessible, curated selection of Midwest native forbs, grasses, trees, and shrubs during regular business hours (Wednesday through Sunday), the initiative bridges the gap between passive nature appreciation and active environmental stewardship. Visitors exploring Aullwood’s premier conservation destination will now have the direct opportunity to purchase the exact ecological building blocks needed to transform their own residential spaces into thriving wildlife habitats.
Executive Overview
The partnership between Deeply Rooted Landscapes and Aullwood Audubon is built on a shared philosophy: that true ecological preservation begins in our own backyards. As suburban sprawl continues to encroach upon native ecosystems across Ohio, local flora and fauna face unprecedented pressures. Birds, pollinators, and specialized insects are losing the host plants and food sources upon which they depend for survival.
This retail pop-up seeks to directly combat that decline by addressing one of the most stubborn hurdles in the conservation movement: accessibility. While public interest in native gardening has skyrocketed in recent years, sourcing authentic, locally grown Midwest native plants remains a challenge for many everyday homeowners.
By embedding a retail nursery directly into Aullwood Farm—a beloved regional institution welcoming thousands of conservation-minded visitors annually—the partnership creates a seamless pipeline from education to implementation. Visitors can walk the pristine trails of Aullwood, observe the harmonious balance of a healthy native ecosystem, and then purchase the very same plants to replicate that success at home.
Kara Maynard, owner of Deeply Rooted Landscapes, and Leigh Ann Miller, Director of Audubon Ohio Centers, have spearheaded an initiative that promises to redefine how the Miami Valley interacts with its natural landscape, proving that localized action can yield regional ecological resilience.
Detailed Chronology: From Educational Programming to Retail Innovation
The genesis of the September 2026 Pop-Up Nursery did not happen overnight. It is the culmination of years of trust-building, shared programming, and iterative collaboration between Deeply Rooted Landscapes and Aullwood Audubon.
Phase 1: Educational Alignment
The relationship initially blossomed through educational outreach. Recognizing a mutual commitment to environmental literacy, the two organizations began cross-promoting educational programming focused on native plants, habitat gardening, and sustainable landscaping. Deeply Rooted Landscapes brought its boots-on-the-ground expertise in ecological garden design and invasive species removal, while Aullwood provided the academic and community-facing platform necessary to reach passionate local conservationists.
Phase 2: The 2026 Native Plant Sale Collaboration
The partnership reached a major milestone during Aullwood Audubon’s 2026 Native Plant Sale. Building on previous cooperative efforts, Deeply Rooted Landscapes stepped in not just as a participant, but as a philanthropic partner. A portion of the nursery sales generated during the event was directly donated back to Aullwood to support its ongoing conservation and environmental education missions. Simultaneously, both organizations engaged in highly coordinated marketing campaigns, driving unprecedented cross-traffic and introducing entirely new demographics to the benefits of native horticulture.
Phase 3: The September 2026 Retail Pop-Up Nursery
Buoyed by the overwhelming success of the spring plant sale, both leadership teams recognized that temporary events were no longer sufficient to meet soaring public demand. This realization paved the way for the upcoming September Pop-Up Nursery. Operating for the entire month of September 2026 at Aullwood Farm, this venture marks the transition from periodic collaboration to a sustained, seasonal retail presence, setting the stage for what many hope will evolve into a permanent fixture of Dayton’s green economy.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The Ecological Imperative in the Miami Valley
To fully understand the significance of this retail expansion, one must examine the broader environmental context of Dayton and the wider Miami Valley region.
The Rise of the "Your Yard Is Habitat" Movement
Founded in 2019, Deeply Rooted Landscapes has long operated under the guiding ethos: "Your Yard Is Habitat." In modern suburbia, traditional lawns dominated by non-native turfgrass and manicured ornamental exotics function as ecological dead zones. They require heavy chemical inputs, consume excessive water, and offer virtually zero nutritional value to native wildlife.
Conversely, native plants—those that have evolved over thousands of years in concert with local wildlife—form the bedrock of regional biodiversity. For example, native oak trees support over 500 species of caterpillar larvae, which are essential for feeding baby songbirds during the spring nesting season. Traditional ornamental trees, such as the non-native Ginkgo or Bradford Pear, offer a fraction of that biological support.
Meeting Surging Public Demand
According to Kara Maynard, the appetite for ecological landscaping in the Miami Valley has reached a tipping point.
"The Miami Valley is ready for a full-scale native plant nursery," Maynard explains. "Throughout our community, people are gardening with native plants and enhancing the ecosystems in their yards. They are taking action in their municipalities to get native plants in our parks and common areas."
Despite this cultural shift, supply chain bottlenecks and a lack of localized retail infrastructure have historically restricted access. Big-box garden centers frequently stock cultivars bred for aesthetics rather than ecological function, and these plants are often treated with systemic insecticides (such as neonicotinoids) that inadvertently poison the very pollinators they are meant to attract. By establishing a dedicated retail experience backed by native plant experts, Deeply Rooted Landscapes and Aullwood are eliminating these barriers, ensuring that Dayton residents receive clean, ecologically robust plant stock paired with expert botanical guidance.
Official Statements: Leadership Perspectives
The partnership is anchored by a shared vision articulated clearly by the leaders guiding both organizations.
Kara Maynard, Owner, Deeply Rooted Landscapes
Reflecting on the alignment of their organizational goals, Kara Maynard emphasizes the empowerment of the individual consumer:
"We are very excited about this new partnership opportunity with Aullwood Audubon. Our missions align: protect wildlife and ecosystems by empowering people to take action and give them the knowledge and tools to do so… The demand for native plants has grown significantly in recent years, but accessibility remains an issue. We are excited to break that barrier and establish a retail location where people can come for plants and native plant knowledge."
Leigh Ann Miller, Director of Audubon Ohio Centers
Leigh Ann Miller underscores how the collaboration directly fulfills Aullwood’s foundational mission of experiential learning and community stewardship:
"Our partnership with Deeply Rooted Landscapes is a natural extension of Aullwood Audubon’s mission to connect people with nature and inspire lasting conservation. By making native plants more accessible to the community, we are helping people take what they experience at Aullwood and bring it home—to their own yards, neighborhoods, and communities."
Future Outlook: Planting Seeds for Tomorrow
As the September Pop-Up Nursery approaches, the leadership teams at Deeply Rooted Landscapes and Aullwood Audubon are already looking toward the horizon. The success of this month-long retail experiment is anticipated to serve as a blueprint for future seasonal collaborations, expanded educational workshops, and enhanced community science initiatives.
Visitors to Aullwood Farm this September are encouraged to keep a close eye on both organizations’ communication channels for specific announcements regarding plant inventory lists, special weekend workshops, expert-led garden consultations, and future scheduling updates.
About the Partner Organizations
Deeply Rooted Landscapes
Serving the Dayton and Miami Valley region since 2019, Deeply Rooted Landscapes is a premier native plant landscaping company and nursery. Specializing in Midwest native plants, the firm provides comprehensive services including garden consultations, bespoke landscape design, professional installation, invasive plant removal, and targeted educational programming. Through its core mission—Your Yard Is Habitat—the company empowers property owners to craft resilient, aesthetically stunning landscapes that actively support local birds, pollinators, and beneficial wildlife.
Aullwood Audubon
As one of 33 nature centers operated by the National Audubon Society in Dayton, Ohio, Aullwood Audubon carries a nearly 70-year legacy of excellence in environmental and agricultural education. Aullwood’s overarching mission is to protect birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Through immersive, hands-on learning experiences, community science projects, conservation initiatives, and the unique Art at Audubon programs, Aullwood fosters lifelong environmental stewardship across the Greater Dayton community.
Stay Connected
For further information regarding the upcoming September Pop-Up Nursery, operating hours, and ongoing conservation programming, please visit the official web portals of both organizations:
- Deeply Rooted Landscapes: https://www.deeplyrootedlandscapes.com/
- Aullwood Audubon: https://www.audubon.org/aullwood
Summary of Key Event Details:
- Event: Deeply Rooted Landscapes Retail Pop-Up Nursery at Aullwood Farm
- Dates: Wednesday, September 2 – Wednesday, September 30, 2026
- Schedule: Wednesday through Sunday during regular Aullwood Farm business hours
- Location: Aullwood Farm, Dayton, Ohio
- Offerings: Midwest native forbs, grasses, trees, shrubs, and expert horticultural guidance.
