Lori Vanover

Lori Vanover

location-pin Waukesha, Wisconsin

School: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2003

Expertise: Vegetable gardening, container gardening, native plants, bird feeding

Lori Vanover

  • Certified as a Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener
  • Writer and editor for Birds & Blooms, Country magazine, Farm & Ranch Living magazine, Milwaukee Home & Fine Living magazine and Welcome Home magazine.
  • Gary Reynolds Excellence Award in Agricultural Journalism, 2003
  • Northern Illinois Newspapers Association award for headline writing, 2005
  • Suburban Newspapers of America awards, Best Real Estate or Homes Publication, Niche Product, and Best Homes Publication or Homes Special Edition, 2006

Experience

Lori has 20 years of experience writing and editing home, garden, birding and lifestyle content for several publishers. As Birds & Blooms senior digital editor, she leads a team of writers and editors sharing birding tips and expert gardening advice. Since joining Trusted Media Brands 13 years ago, she has held roles in digital and print, editing magazines and books, curating special interest publications, managing social media accounts, creating digital content and newsletters, and working with the Field Editors—Birds & Blooms network of more than 50 backyard birders. Passionate about animals and nature, Lori has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural and Environmental Communications from the University of Illinois. In 2023, she became certified as a Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener, and she is a member of the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology and sits on the organization's Publications Advisory Committee. She frequently checks on her bird feeders while working from home and tests new varieties of perennials, herbs and vegetable plants in her ever-growing backyard gardens.

Education

Bachelor of science degree, agricultural and environmental communications, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Birds & Blooms Editorial Policies


For nearly 30 years, Birds & Blooms, a Trusted Media Brand, has been inspiring readers to have a lifelong love of birding, gardening and nature. We are the #1 bird and garden magazine in North America and a trusted online resource for over 15 million outdoor enthusiasts annually. Our library of thousands of informative articles and how-tos has been written by trusted journalists and fact-checked by bird and garden experts for accuracy. In addition to our staff of experienced gardeners and bird-watchers, we hire individuals who have years of education and hands-on experience with birding, bird feeding, gardening, butterflies, bugs and more. Learn more about Birds & Blooms, our field editor program, and our submission guidelines.

Articles

11 Things to Do Now to Prepare Your Garden for Spring

The weather might be cold, but it's not too early to think about preparing your garden for spring. Follow this spring garden checklist.

5 Garden Trends That Are Growing Fast in 2025

Looking to give your landscape an update? These 2025 garden trends will be popping up all over the neighborhood soon.

See the Winner of the 2024 Birds & Blooms Photo Contest

We reveal the 2024 Birds & Blooms Photo Contest grand prize winner. Learn the story behind the stunning butterfly and flower photo.