The past, present, and future of invasive plants in our ecosystems is defined by human actions and notions of stewardship. Yet, public skepticism and mistrust towards the field of invasion biology have been heightened by pervasive criticism from within the social sciences, humanities, popular media, and by extension, the general public.

Thanks to support from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, Dr. Mason Heberling initiated a new project at Carnegie Museum of Natural History focused on increasing public awareness of invasive plants. During this webinar, Dr. Heberling will share outcomes and some lessons learned in connection to the changing scientific perspectives on the categorization and perceived threats of invasive plants and highlight the need for updated, inclusive communication strategies.

As an added feature, this program will highlight these strategies, experiments, and collaborations that led to a new museum exhibition, Uprooted: Plants Out of Place. This exhibition integrates historical-scientific narratives through archival objects and museum specimens. It also recontextualizes the museum’s Hall of Botany of plant-centric dioramas dating from the 1920s that portray idealized plant communities devoid of—including the role of human responsibility and agency, invasive plants as passengers, the role of language in shaping attitudes, and other cultural points of view.

This program is part of our ongoing gardening series offering a varied focus on native plants throughout the seasons for gardeners of all levels and learning styles. The 2026 “Misunderstood Natives” theme aims to explore diverse perceptions of native plants, inviting audiences to see them through a new lens—one that offers fresh insights and practical tools for understanding the value native species bring to people, wildlife, and the places we live.