Speakers Bureau
Pre-recorded Speakers
Are you looking for a pre-recorded program to show to your group?
Explore our readily available options under Learning Resources
Are you looking for a live speaker to present a program to your group? The following is a current list of topics available through the Virginia Beach Master Gardener Speakers' Bureau. To request one of these programs, please complete this form. These programs are designed for adult audiences. For youth and children's programs, please visit our Youth Programs page.
Live Speakers and Walking Tours
Walking Tours
Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC)
General Walking Tour
Enjoy this general walking tour and learn the history of the AREC grounds, visit the varied Theme Gardens (annual, perennial, herb & vegetable, pollinator & trial gardens), and/or take in the informative Arboretum. These tours can be designed to the needs of the group, and will be led by a Master Gardener.
April - October
Rain Garden Walking Tour
Join a Master Gardener Water Steward for a tour and talk about rain gardens – how and why they are built, what to plant, how to maintain.
April - October
Time: 30 minutes
Sustainable Garden Walking Tour
Join a Master Gardener Water Steward for a tour and talk about sustainable gardening: what makes up a sustainable garden and how to manage it
April - October
Time: 45 minutes
Dam Neck Farmers Market
Dam Neck Farmer's Market Tree Trail Walking Tour
This is a multi-phase project to increase public awareness of trees – their value to the community and ecosystem, their selection, planting and care, and how they are affected by common environmental factors we find in an urban setting. Our initial selection of trees looks
at those mature species planted at the perimeter of the market, and represent a variety of those that might be found at or selected for your home or property. We’ll cover Natives, non-natives and invasives, discuss alternatives to non-natives, and look at how location, hardscape, pruning and general care affect their outcome.
April - October
Time: 45 - 60 minutes
Speakers Topics
Container Gardening
Learn the important elements of putting together your own container garden: how to choose the right planting medium, procedure for planting, picking the appropriate container, choosing plants to make the best presentation, and selecting the best plants for the specific need. After discussion of these elements, this program can focus on one of the following: spring containers, summer containers, fall/winter containers, or containers for growing vegetables or herbs. The presentation can also be more general in nature and include some information on each of the different types of containers.
PowerPoint: Yes
Time: 40 minutes
Have Fun with Daylilies, the Perfect Perennial
The daylily is more than a pretty face! That face is suitable for all types of landscapes. It’s drought tolerant and has relatively few pest & disease problems. Blooms late Spring to Autumn with very little care required. The perfect perennial adapts to various soils and has many varieties of colors, forms, heights, sizes, and textures. This presentation explores the fun and the appeal of having daylilies in your garden.
PowerPoint: Yes
Time: 40 - 45 minutes
Location to be determined
Destination Trees: Trees to visit on your next road trip
Don’t know where to go on your next road trip? Make a tree your destination and see parts of the country you may have not seen before. Start locally with the Emancipation Oak and “branch” outward from there. Go to Utah to visit Pando while you’re visiting the national parks there. Visit the bristlecone pine, a tree that existed when Stonehenge was being built and the pyramids were not yet built. Visit a live oak that was saved due to a lie published in the newspaper. Trees can give you a glimpse into weird pruning styles, human history, and the joy of forest bathing.
PowerPoint: Yes
Time: 30 or 45 minute
Location to be determined
Ghosts of Evolution and the Trees That Have Not Caught Up
Learn about plants that lost their living seed dispersers, plants with megafauna-adapted traits and now of little to no use, and plants chronologically out of place. Think about nonhuman consumers of avocados, osage oranges, and paw paws. When was the last time you saw a giant ground sloth or a mastodon? Yet their food sources still hang around. What other trees have not caught up with evolution?
PowerPoint: Yes
Time: 45 minutes
Location to be determined
Jumpstart Your Garden with Seeds
Find out how to extend your garden season by starting seeds indoors. This talk covers indoor seed sowing, seedling care, and transplanting. The presentation is appropriate for high school and adult ages.
PowerPoint: Yes
Time: 45 - 60 minutes
Location to be determined
Miniature Gardens
Learn about the fundamentals of creating a miniature garden. Presentation will include discussion of outdoor and/or indoor gardens, succulent gardens, terrariums and aeriums. Discussion will include choosing the right container, soil, choosing plants, how to plant in different containers, choosing accessories, and taking care of your garden.
PowerPoint: Yes
Time: 40 minutes
Location to be determined
Opening a Can of Worms: A Threat to Consider
We will look at characteristics of invasive earthworms such as the European earthworm and the Asian jumping earthworm to determine what makes them invasive and how they are disrupting our native forests and affecting biodiversity. We will also look at the ecology of our native earthworms and take a peek at the “new” invasive hammerhead worm.
PowerPoint: Yes
Time: 45 minutes
Location to be determined
Can the Woolly Bear Caterpillar Predict Winter? A peak at nature's calendar.
When the seasons change, we notice changes in the length of the day, the air temperature, and plants and animals. The science is called phenology, which is keeping track of these changes that can help us see other changes related to climate. What trends are we seeing now and how are organisms in our environment being affected? And we may be able to answer the question, "Just how reliable is Punxsutawney Phil?"
PowerPoint: Yes
Time: 45 or 60 minutes
Location to be determined
Sex and the Single Flower
How can you tell if a holly is male or female? How do gingko trees propagate? Where are the female flowers on an oak? What is a dioecious plant? Have you ever seen a fig flower? These and many other questions are answered in this talk about plant sex. So sit back and enjoy hearing about the sex lives of our plants.
PowerPoint: Yes
Time: 45 minutes
Location to be determined
Water Quality: You and Your Garden Can Make a Difference
This presentation guides the homeowner through simple steps that can be taken in the yard to positively affect water quality. Hampton Roads has many waterways….and even more paths to those waterways. Everyone benefits from clean water...the oysters and you.
PowerPoint: Yes
Time: 25 minutes
Location to be determined
Virginia Beach Master Gardener Volunteers
This talk provides an overview of the Virginia Beach Master Gardener volunteer program and the goals of the Virginia Cooperative Extension. It includes information about Master Gardener projects throughout the city of Virginia Beach, as well as how to become a Master Gardener.
PowerPoint: Yes
Time: 30 or 45 minutes
Location to be determined
The Art of Drying Flowers
Learn the basics of pressing flowers, leaves, and grasses. Included in this talk will be information on the history of drying flowers, several methods of pressing, what flowers and foliage produce the best results, which flowers hold color the best, and suggestions for storing your pressed materials. Finally, directions and pictures will be shared for a few simple projects with dried flowers as well as examples of more complicated dried flower art.
Time: 40 minutes
Location to be determined
Stop and Smell the Roses
Whether you're planting your first rose or looking to improve an established garden, this presentation will help you grow healthier, more beautiful roses with confidence. Explore the different types of roses, learn how to select varieties that thrive in 8B, and discover the essential techniques for planting, pruning, fertilizing, and seasonal care. We'll also cover common diseases and pests, how to prevent and manage them. Packed with expert guidance, beautiful examples, and easy-to-follow advice, this presentation will give you the knowledge and confidence to create a thriving, colorful rose garden.
PowerPoint: Yes
Time: 30 - 45 minutes
Location to be determined
Companion Planting: Creating a Healthier, More Productive Garden
Discover how the right plant partnerships can transform your garden into a thriving, balanced ecosystem. This presentation explores the principles of companion planting, including how certain plants naturally improve soil health, attract pollinators and beneficial insects, deter common garden pests, and enhance the growth and flavor of neighboring crops. Learn which combinations work best in vegetable, herb, and flower gardens, as well as common companion planting myths and mistakes to avoid. Whether you're a beginning gardener or an experienced grower, you'll leave with practical strategies to create a healthier, more productive, and beautiful garden using nature's own partnerships.
PowerPoint: Yes
Time: 30 - 45 minutes
Location to be determined
Remarkable Plants: Stories, History, and Benefits
Every plant has a story to tell. Join us as we explore the fascinating history, cultural significance, and traditional uses of some of our most recognizable native and garden plants, including purple coneflower, common milkweed, longleaf pine, and more. Discover how these plants have shaped communities, supported wildlife, inspired folklore, and served as valuable resources for food, medicine, fiber, and industry throughout history. Blending botany, history, and storytelling, this presentation offers a deeper appreciation for the remarkable plants that continue to enrich our landscapes and connect us to the past.
PowerPoint: Yes
Time: 30 - 45 minutes
Location to be determined