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Airing Date: February 21, 2026
Time: 10AM Pacific Time
About the Presenter
Joey Santore, also known as Crime Pays But Botany Doesn’t, is an American amateur naturalist with a YouTube channel focused on plant ecology. His latest projects include a partnership with Swamp Fly to produce a TV series called Kill Your Lawn, where he helps homeowners create biodiverse and ecologically sound outdoor spaces by replacing lawns with native plants. Recently he gained attention for a viral video featuring a snapping turtle, nicknamed Chonkosaurus, sunning itself on a rusted chain in the Chicago River. Santore lives in West Texas and continues to travel and document plant species.
Santore’s passion for botany led him to travel extensively, documenting plant species and sharing his knowledge through his YouTube channel and podcast. His viral videos, such as the one featuring a snapping turtle in the Chico River, have garnered millions of views and showcased his ability to highlight the importance of conservation and ecological balance.
Through his platform, Santore continues to inspire others to appreciate the natural world and take action to protect it, embodying the spirit of amateur botany and ecological exploration. Recently he has been exploring and documenting plant species in various parts of the world, including South Africa and Mexico, where he has been fascinated by the unique adaptations of plants in different environments. He has also been sharing his knowledge and experiences through videos and podcasts, aiming to make botany accessible and engaging for a wider audience.
About the Webinar
Joey Santore—creator of Crime Pays But Botany Doesn’t—joins CSSA as our monthly webinar speaker. An outspoken amateur naturalist and plant ecologist, Santore is known for making botany accessible, funny, and fiercely relevant. From documenting plant diversity around the world to helping homeowners replace lawns with native ecosystems on Kill Your Lawn, Joey brings deep ecological insight and unapologetic enthusiasm to conservation. In this webinar, he’ll share stories from the field, lessons from global plant exploration, and why everyday people play a critical role in protecting biodiversity.
Course Materials
During his presentation, Joey made available his many course materials. CLICK HERE to view his extensive collection of information.
Click the photo below to learn more about Joey’s 501c3, The Thornscrub Sanctuary. A grassroots effort to protect and restore native South Texas thornscrub — one of the most overlooked and threatened habitats in North America.
Recordings
In most cases, presenters allow us to upload the recorded webinar for later viewing on this website. The amount of time the recordings are available depends on what is allowed by the presenters.
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