Margy Terpstra is an avid birder, nature photographer, and lifelong gardener with a degree in Horticulture. She is a member of the Audubon Society, Wild Ones, and Missouri Nature and Environmental Photographers (MoNEP).

Since 1996, Margy and her husband Dan have worked together to remove invasive plants, restore their half-acre property in Kirkwood with beautiful Missouri natives, and add water features, all for the benefit of birds and wildlife. “Shady Oaks Sanctuary” is the name of their Platinum-certified Bring Conservation Home garden.

Margy has been photographing the abundant flora and fauna in their sanctuary since 2003 and has documented 151 species of birds there, including 35 species of warblers. In this program, she will share some lessons learned in designing their yard for the benefit of birds. With habitat loss occurring all around us, she believes that each of us can make a difference by creating habitat in our own yards and so contribute to the full life-cycle conservation of our native birds.

Margy shares her images and experiences in a blog on their website in hope of inspiring others to find the joy of “sustainable naturescaping”. Visit the Terpstras’ website.

The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2615 Shepard Blvd., with social time following.