Climate Talks

Join Desert Love Native Plants for Climate Talks, a free monthly lecture series exploring gardening, climate science, native plants, and the future of desert living in Southern Nevada.

Presented by Dr. Robert C. Brandys and Gail M. Brandys, Master Gardener, this engaging community series blends practical gardening advice with climate and geology research, all focused specifically on the Las Vegas Valley. Topics include climate change, native plants, urban heat, irrigation timing, desert soils, sustainable landscaping, and creating resilient gardens for the future.

Whether you are a gardener, plant enthusiast, homeowner, environmental advocate, or simply curious about how our changing climate is impacting life in Las Vegas, these talks are designed to be informative, approachable, and locally relevant.

May 30
Climate Change in Las Vegas

June 27
Why “Full Sun” Plants Die in Las Vegas

July 18
Las Vegas Valley Geology & Soil Types

August 22
When to Water

September 19
What Is a Native Plant?

October 24
Building a Microclimate

November 21
What Should You Plant for 2030–2050?

December 19
Native Plants in Captivity

January 30
Heat Pumps, EVs, and Cooling the Valley

📍 Location: Cactus Joe’s Nursery – Las Vegas
🕙 10:00 AM–11:00 AM
🌿 Free Admission
📅 Monthly from May through January

Each lecture is a stand alone presentation, so attendees are welcome to join any session throughout the series.

Info: Las Vegas has experienced one of the highest average daily temperature increases of any city in the United States in the last few decades - only surpassed by Reno. Average nighttime temperatures have risen nearly 8°F since the 1950s, and even more when you look at the full historical record. This has fundamentally changed the ecology of the valley. The urban heat island created by our modern civilization complicates this further. Understand what is happening, why, and what you can do to adapt and mitigate the risk.

Info: Las Vegas UV Index reaches 10–12 in summer—among the highest in the United States. This UV radiation can damage and K*ll many plants. A dense tree or bush can reduce UV exposure by 90%. Strategic shade placement can save your garden.

Info: Understanding the ground beneath your garden changes everything about how you should plant, water, and build soil. Las Vegas soils are not what most plants expect.

Info: One of the most important things you can do for your garden is to irrigate at the optimum time. New research reveals the exact window of time to water your plants that cuts plant stress and saves water.

Info: Not all “desert plants” are created equal. Understanding the difference between true natives, desert-adapted species, and genetically-appropriate cultivars changes how you should plan your landscape.

Info: Your yard doesn’t have to match the weather report. With the right combination of shade, water, mass, and air movement, you can create conditions several degrees cooler than the surrounding neighborhood and more advantageous for your plants. This takes the saying “right plant in the right place” to a whole new level.

Info: The Las Vegas Native Species Climate Matrix was designed and researched by an environmental engineer to evaluate the plant species that have historically been recommended for the Las Vegas Valley and evaluate their suitability now and in the foreseeable future. It rates 276 landscape species on five climate resilience factors: heat tolerance, drought resilience, warm-night tolerance, UV tolerance and establishment success. Walk out of this lecture with a plant list you can take to the nursery.

Info: You decide you want to incorporate more native plants into your landscape. This is an admirable goal but can be fraught with a number of obstacles.

Info: Engineering solutions are already bending the temperature curve back. Real numbers will be provided on what’s working and how our actions can impact the Las Vegas Valley airshed.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Cactus Joe's Blue Diamond Nursery, 12740 Blue Diamond Road, Las Vegas, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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