Tag: Antioch University New England

  • Saturday, February 9, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Understanding and Managing Soils

    Healthy soil is the basis of healthy plant communities and is necessary for plants to thrive. Join the Ecological Landscape Alliance on February 9 at Nasami Farm, 128 North Street in Whately for this in-depth, full-day workshop to learn how to manage healthy soil.

    This intensive class explores the biotic and abiotic components that create native soils and explains how these factors inform local flora. The class takes a closer look at soil structure and soil biology in miniature lab experiments.

    Alexis Doshas is a graduate of the Environmental Studies Department at Antioch University New England with a concentration in Conservation Biology. She ran a small organic gardening business for over a decade and worked with Safe Harbor Environmental Services as a restoration associate. She is a field researcher in a long-term NSF-funded study on the effects and mitigation of chronic atmospheric deposition of Nitrogen on heathland communities of Cape Cod, MA. Currently, Alexis is the Propagator and Facilities Coordinator at New England Wild Flower Society’s Nasami Farm, where their mission is to conserve and promote the region’s native plants to ensure healthy, biologically diverse landscapes. Alexis’ interests include landscape ecology, soil ecology, nutrient processes, field research, sustainable agriculture, forest medicinal plants, and climate change. Her professional and personal goal is to serve the processes that contribute to a balanced ecosystem, both in the scientific and social disciplines.

    Fee: $92 (ELA Member)/$109 (Nonmember). Register at https://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/class-understanding-and-managing-soils/

    Image result for healthy soil

  • Monday, March 19, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm – Developing a Comprehensive Integrative Pest Management Plan Webinar

    An Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPM) is a tool for plant professionals to control pests in a timely, safe, and efficient manner and is a vital component in producing and maintaining healthy plants and landscapes. An IPM plan includes several aspects: sanitation and prevention, conservation, and augmentation methods using beneficial organisms. Traditionally, IPM plans also include the judicious use of chemical pesticides when all else fails. In this webinar, Alexis will discuss the negative effects of chemicals on beneficial insects and will evaluate other options such as OMRI certified and ‘safer’ products that can be incorporated as a last resort. This webinar will explore and discuss the components of an IPM plan and explain the basics of how to design an IPM plan tailored to individual needs.

    The Ecological Landscape Alliance will host a webinar on Monday, March 19 from 12:30 – 1:30 pm EST, free to ELA members, $10 for nonmembers. Register at https://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/webinar-developing-comprehensive-integrative-pest-management-ipm-plan/

    Alexis Doshas is a graduate of the Environmental Studies Department at Antioch University New England with a concentration in Conservation Biology. She ran a small organic gardening business for over a decade and worked with Safe Harbor Environmental Services as a restoration associate. She is a field researcher in a long-term NSF-funded study on the effects and mitigation of chronic atmospheric deposition of N on heathland communities of Cape Cod, MA. Currently, Alexis is the Propagator and Facilities Coordinator at New England Wild Flower Society’s Nasami Farm, where their mission is to conserve and promote the region’s native plants to ensure healthy, biologically diverse landscapes. Alexis’ interests include landscape ecology, soil ecology, nutrient processes, field research, sustainable agriculture, forest medicinal plants, and climate change. Her professional and personal goal is to serve the processes that contribute to a balanced ecosystem, both in the scientific and social disciplines.

    Image result for integrated pest management
  • Wednesday, May 11, 7:00 pm – American Turtle Observatory

    Together, the United States and Mexico support one-third of the freshwater turtle species on Earth. Over 137 terminal taxa—species, subspecies, and evolution-significant lineages—occur in diverse habitats across the continent.

    Most species of North American turtles are of conservation concern, threatened by a range of factors including forest and wetland fragmentation, pathogens, and collection of adult turtles for pet markets. In order for viable, functional populations to persist, it is necessary to incorporate the best available science into cooperative conservation planning.

    American Turtle Observatory is a network of scientists, researchers, agencies, communities, and landowners responding to conservation opportunities in focal landscapes and developing conservation strategies for widespread species of concern and restricted-range species. On Wednesday, May 11 at 7 pm, Mike Jones and Liz Willey will discuss their work on turtles. The program will be held at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street in Athol.

    Dr. Willey serves on the faculty in the Environmental Studies Department at Antioch University New England in Keene, New Hampshire. Dr. Jones is a biologist in the Department of Environmental Conservation at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and is the lead author and co-editor (with Liz Willey) of Eastern Alpine Guide: Natural History and Conservation of Mountain Tundra East of the Rockies, and lead author of Status and Conservation of the Wood Turtle in the Northeastern United States.  Image by Mike Jones.

    Free and open to the public.  For directions visit www.atholbirdclub.org.

    Courting pair in MA Mike Jones