Mark Ballering had an introduction to plant ecology as an undergraduate and has spent the past 20 years restoring several hundred acres in southern Wisconsin. There have been many surprises and lessons learned. In 2008 Mark and his wife, Jennell, established a foundation named Green Forest, to ensure the land stays in conservation. In addition to being a nature sanctuary, Green Forest hosts elementary school outdoor education classes. For Mark, the magic of restoration never ends.

TSN Conference 2026

January 22nd, 2026 (Thursday) // 12:50 pm – 1:45 pm // Red Cedar Room // Roundtable Discussion: How to Inspire Private Landowners to Embrace Native Plant Habitats on Their Properties // Inspiring private landowners to landscape with native plants and embrace stewardship of the earth is a challenging task. With two thirds of the land in the United States under private ownership, however, it is a critical one to restore biodiversity and improve overall ecological health. Join four private landowners with extensive experience in habitat restoration and conservation on their properties to discuss lessons learned and how to increase private landowner stewardship on properties of two-500 acres through education, direct engagement, and collaboration. Topics may include: What will motivate landowners? What tools do they need to incorporate native plant landscapes on their property? What resources exist for support? What is the role public entities play in this effort? What are the barriers to success? How can we make efforts easier? Planet, place and people all win when everyone does their part – whether large scale or small.