Boston Flora

Tag: Ecological Landscape Alliance

  • Monday, January 11, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Webinar: Garden Allies – The Art and Science of Conservation Biological Control

    Conservation biological control is the practice of designing and managing habitat that supports beneficial insects that regulate pests, while reducing or even eliminating the need for pesticides in landscapes. While many of the same flowering plants that attract pollinating bees also attract insects that attack common pests, effective conservation biological control requires a holistic approach to design that includes far more than simply growing the right flowers. Learn how to merge the principles of garden design and basic ecology to successfully influence the community of beneficial insects that keep pest insects at bay. As schools, parks, and other public areas increasingly ban the use of pesticides, conservation biological control is gaining visibility as an ideal tool for insect management. Geared to landscape professionals, this webinar, to be given Monday, January 11 from 1 – 2 EST introduces tools for design and maintenance, and provides resources for further study.

    Frederique Lavoipierre serves as the Director of Education at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, where the focus is on California native plants. She holds a Master’s degree in Biology from Sonoma State University, with an emphasis on sustainable landscape practices and conservation biological control. Frederique Lavoipierre was the founding director of the professional certificate program in sustainable landscaping at Sonoma State University, and founded and operated one of the first certified organic nurseries in California. She is the author of Garden Allies, a series for Pacific Horticulture magazine, completing its 9th year of publication, and has published in Public Gardens, Bay Nature, and the San Francisco Chronicle, among others. Frederique has extensive teaching experience in wilderness, garden and classroom settings. – See more at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/webinar-garden-allies-the-art-and-science-of-conservation-biological-control/#sthash.5AWAJV7c.dpuf. Free for Ecological Landscape Alliance members, $10 for nonmembers.

  • Wednesday, March 9 & Thursday, March 10 – The 22nd Annual ELA Conference and Eco-Marketplace

    The Ecological Landscape Alliance presents the 22nd Annual ELA Conference & Eco-Marketplace on March 9 & 10, 2016 at UMass Amherst.

    Explore topics ranging from improving urban forests to low cost landscape management as we look for ways to design, build, and restore the landscape.

    March 9 includes:
    * Two day-long workshops focusing on Soil and Permaculture
    * Keynote speaker: Tradd Cotter, mycologist and author
    Keynote Address: Healing the Environment with Fungi

    March 10 features eight Sessions and four Idea Exchanges covering a range of ecological topics including:
    * Landscape lighting design
    * Wildlife habitat enhancement
    * Management of challenging landscape sites
    * The role of native plant cultivars in an ecological landscape

    Immerse yourself in this two-day exploration of principles and practices that support the living landscape. Full conference brochure at www.ecolandscaping.org

  • Wednesday, December 9, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm – Webinar: Riparian Restoration Using Chemical-Free Invasive Plant Control

    The Oyster River Forest conservation project was a typical riparian restoration with typical goals: restore habitat to benefit New England wildlife; remove invasive plant species; control erosion to improve water quality; and more. The striking difference is that this project achieved all of its goals WITHOUT THE USE OF CHEMICALS in this sensitive ecosystem. This restoration project was accomplished through a partnership of federal, state, and local entities to protect: 4,600 feet along the Oyster River, a tributary to the Great Bay Estuary; water quality for fish, wildlife, and public drinking water; the nationally recognized Spruce Hole Bog; Appalachian oak-pine forest; and a 25-acre old field for New England cottontail. The field and riparian areas were heavily infested with large invasive shrubs and a 2.5-acre stand of wild parsnip. A key funding partner—the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)—originally planned to hire contractors to spray the invasive plants with herbicide then re-plant with native shrubs. As a consultant working on the project for the Town of Durham, Ellen Snyder brought in ecological consultants Mike Bald (GotWeeds?) and Gerry Hawkes (Forest Savers LLC), and convinced NRCS to use only mechanical methods to remove the invasive plants. This Ecological Landscape Alliance webinar on Wednesday, December 9 from 12 – 1 will highlight the chemical-free options and techniques used to control the invasive plants species.

    Ellen Snyder is an independent consultant and owner of Ibis Wildlife Consulting, with more than 20 years of experience specializing in habitat planning and management, wildlife ecology, open space planning, biodiversity conservation, science and nature writing. Ellen’s background includes serving as the Community Land Protection Specialist for the Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire; University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Wildlife Specialist and Extension Professor; Coordinator of the New Hampshire Living Legacy Project, a statewide public-private partnership to conserve the state’s biodiversity; and contributor in establishing the New Hampshire Coverts Project, a statewide landowner volunteer program; and Partnership Coordinator for The Stewardship Network: New England at UNH Cooperative Extension. Ellen holds degrees in Wildlife Management and Animal Ecology. She is a Certified Wildlife Biologist, The Wildlife Society and a Technical Service Provider, for the Natural Resource Conservation Service: Wildlife Plans and Practices. Free for ELA members, $10 for nonmembers.
    – See more at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/webinar-riparian-restoration-using-chemical-free-invasive-plant-control/#sthash.MxLXJKzJ.dpuf

  • Monday, November 16, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Understanding Roots: Exploring Plants Underground

    In this Ecological Landscape Alliance webinar based upon Robert Kourik’s two books on the subject, Understanding Roots: Exploring Plants Underground uncovers one of the greatest mysteries below the soil surface―the secret lives and magical workings of the roots that move and grow invisibly beneath our feet.

    Roots do more than just keep a plant from falling over: they gather water and nutrients, exude wondrous elixirs to create good soil, make friends with microbes and fungi, communicate with other roots, and adapt themselves to all manner of soils, winds, and climates, nourishing and sustaining our gardens, lawns, and woodlands. During the presentation, Kourik will share enchanting and revealing root drawings, from prairies, grasslands, and deserts, as well as drawings based on excavations of vegetable, fruit, nut, and ornamental tree roots. Through detailed illustrations, Kourik will describe how roots work their magic to improve soil nutrients and will discuss soil microbes and their mysterious relationship to roots. This presentation will also explore the question of whether deep roots really gather more unique nutrients than shallow roots. Kourik will explain the latest research about the mysteries of mycorrhizal (good fungal) association. Practical tips will provide guidance on the use of inputs such as fertilizer, compost, water, and mulch to help plants flourish.

    Robert Kourik credits the School of Hard Knocks for much of his early life skills training (and numerous continuing-education credits). He learned various horticulture-related skills from the inside-out by working with clients throughout California and the rest of the country for over 25 years. During that time Kourik took on design projects of all sizes, shapes and textures—water gardens, paths and patios, elegant arbors, habitat gardens, innovative home playgrounds, outdoor barbecue areas, deer-resistant gardens and low-profile, attractive deer fences, to name just a few.

    In the late 1970s, with only a high school diploma, Kourik wrote a landscape book which has become a classic in its field and helped to define the genera of gardening now known as edible landscaping. Kourik believes that it was a lack of formal college training in horticulture that allowed him to envision and interpret this new interdisciplinary and original approach to gardening and landscaping. Throughout his career, Kourik has focused primarily on organic, natural, sustainable, integrated systems, permaculture and appropriate horticulture methods. Kourik is the author of several books including: Designing and Maintaining Your Edible Landscape Naturally; Roots Demystified; Drip Irrigation for Every Landscape and All Climates; and just published, Understanding Roots. Robert writes and interacts with landscapes in the San Francisco Bay area in California.

    Free for ELA members, $10 for nonmembers – See more at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/understanding-roots-exploring-plants-underground/#sthash.YkPAX7nt.dpuf

  • Thursday, November 12, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm – Mobilizing Volunteers for Invasive Plant Removal

    Many invasive plants (like rash-producing invasive vines and thorny shrubs) are preventing community members from enjoying local forests and are degrading local natural ecosystems. Controlling invasive plants is a big challenge but “Many Hands Make Light Work” and through the use of volunteers, many communities are making headway with invasives.

    Volunteer-led program give residents an opportunity to connect with people while taking care of the natural resources around them. Volunteer programs also enable community members to help protect forest plants and wildlife while spending time outdoors, meeting new people and restoring natural habitats. Your location and specific invasive plant threats may differ from those presented in this Thursday, November 12 Ecological Landscape Alliance webinar (12 – 1 Eastern time), but the volunteer strategies are common in all areas.

    Webinar leader Malin Ely Clyde is a Project Manager for The Stewardship Network: New England – an organization that organizes volunteers to care for and study lands and waters. Conservation organizations and towns post nature-based volunteer workdays and trainings on the calendar at NewEngland.StewardshipNetwork.org. Volunteers are recruited for the annual Garlic Mustard Challenge and other invasive plant control efforts. Malin will share ideas for how to work with volunteers in your community and will explain how to maximize volunteer potential.

    In 2013, UNH Cooperative Extension launched the Stewardship Network: New England, working with partners and volunteer organizations to extend the successful work of The Stewardship Network in the Great Lakes region. The shared collaborative vision is to mobilize the collective capacity of New England universities and colleges to strengthen connections between science and decision making. Free for ELA members, $10 for nonmembers. See more at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/mobilizing-volunteers-for-invasive-plant-removal/#sthash.viln8TKv.dpuf

  • Thursday, November 5, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm – Season’s End Summit: Digging Into the Layered Landscape

    Thursday, November 5, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm – Season’s End Summit: Digging Into the Layered Landscape

    Landscapes are a delightful blending of form and function. An ecological landscape is that and more. Join us for the 6th annual ELA Season’s End Summit to explore the many layers of the landscape with our distinguished lineup of presenters. On November 5th,from 8 – 4:30 at the Community Harvest Project Barn, 37 Wheeler Road in North Grafton, we will reconnect with colleagues, reflect on the past growing season, and get inspired for the next.

    Reviving the Naturalistic Garden presented by: Mark Richardson
    Exploring the Rich Layers in the Meadow presented by: Rebecca Lindenmeyr
    Optimizing Ecological Value in the Layered Landscape presented by: Lauren Chase Rowell
    Creating Beauty in Every Layer presented by: Julie Moir Messervy (pictured below)

    $85 – $110 per person registration – See more at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/seasons-end-summit-digging-into-the-layered-landscape/#sthash.6nCgK2X8.dpuf

    Julie-Moir-Meservy-Ken-Burris-until-Dec-2016

  • Wednesday, October 14, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Beaver: Building Habitat, Improving Eco-Systems

    Beaver-created wetlands enhance human habitat by storing and slowly releasing floodwater. These wetlands improve water quality by removing or transforming excess nutrients, trapping silt, binding and removing toxic chemicals, and removing sediment. And finally, flooded areas can also recharge and maintain groundwater levels, and provide flow to streams even during droughts. Join conservationist Cindy Dunn at Wachusett Meadow on Wednesday, October 14, from 10 – noon, for this unique walking Ecological Landscape Alliance tour of the 85 acre beaver pond to learn about the important ecological role that beaver play. Wachusett Meadow is one of the spectacular wildlife sanctuaries within Mass Audubon. This property consists of 1,200 acres accessed by 12 miles of trails. The sanctuary protects a diverse landscape of shrubland fields and meadows, forests, Wachusett Meadow’s Wildlife Pond, and beaver wetlands. Register online (ELA members $22, non-members $32) at http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/beaver-building-habitat-improving-eco-systems/  Image from www.hikeneewengland.com.

  • Tuesday, October 13, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Natural Swimming Ponds: Beauty, Recreation, and Habitat with No Chemicals

    A low gurgle emerges from beneath the Mentha aquatica as clear water begins to make its way from the bog downstream between smooth boulders and over gravel. Liquid fingers catch the sun’s rays, bending them and throwing them in every direction. The blooms of iris, hemerocallis, and lobelia bob in the gentle breeze over the bog, where the water collects. The stream rushes over a broken slab of granite in a shimmering sheet adding its high-pitched notes to the chorus of gurgles above as it drops into the pond. Alighting on the edge, a female robin takes a drink, startling a small frog sunning on a warm boulder, while further along sparrows take turns flitting from a Dappled Willow to bathe. The splash of a Frisbee is followed by another splash as a dog wades into the water and momentarily disrupts the serene calm.

    This entire sensory scene takes place at a natural swimming pond designed and constructed by Trevor Smith in Massachusetts. It is the embodiment of residential ecology combining habitat creation and rain harvesting, along with human interaction. It is 100% chemical free, low maintenance, and provides year round interest unlike a regular swimming pool. And although a swimming pond costs more than a rubber lined pool, it costs less than a gunite pool of equal size and comes with a tremendous number of additional benefits.

    In this one hour Tuesday, October 13 Ecological Landscape Alliance webinar, Trevor Smith will explain design considerations, mechanical and bio-filtration options, water flow and circulation, rainwater capture for recharge, construction methods, and will Trevor will also discuss how to sell this new concept to your clients.

    Trevor Smith is the owner of Land Escapes, a full service ecological landscaping company in the Boston area that specializes in Garden Design, Eco-Rain Recovery, Water Features, and Living Wall Installations. Trevor is also the President of the Ecological Landscape Alliance. You can reach Trevor through his website: www.everydaygetaway.com.

    Register at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/webinar-natural-swimming-ponds-beauty-recreation-and-habitat-with-no-chemicals/#sthash.bxGi3G8S.dpuf.

  • Saturday, October 3, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm – Measuring Soil Health and Managing Site Challenges in an Urban Landscape

    Saturday, October 3, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm – Measuring Soil Health and Managing Site Challenges in an Urban Landscape

    This hands-on, indoor/outdoor workshop at Garden in the Woods on Saturday, October 3 from 9 – 3:30 introduces the concept of the soil health assessment and the implementation of soil health indicators for evaluating the biological, chemical, and physical attributes of soil as they pertain to the constraints of a site. Use of these soil health indicators will help landscape architects, garden designers, arborists, and landscape professionals determine the appropriate products, tools, equipment, and techniques needed to correct soil constraints and to develop a seasonal maintenance plan for a newly installed landscape, from installation to establishment and on to maturity. Bring a bag lunch. Taught by Chuck Sherzi, Jr., the fee is $86 for NEWFS and Ecological Landscape Alliance members, $104 for nonmembers. Register online at http://www.newfs.org/learn/our-programs/managing-soil-health-and-managing-site-challenges-in-an-urban-landscape.

    Soil-Workshop-Graphic1

  • Saturday, September 26, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Recreational Lake Shore Restoration: Lake Massapoag

    Like many New England towns, Sharon, Massachusetts has its own recreational jewel, a small lake where children learn to swim and sail, enthusiasts fish, and kayakers and canoeists paddle. In heavy use since Colonial times, Lake Massapoag had developed worn and depleted areas along its shoreline, especially at the town park where dumping of beach sand and cutting of typical lakeside vegetation created their own problems.

    What are some of the ways a lakeside recreation area can be ecologically restored while maintaining recreational uses? Join landscape architect Amanda Sloan at Memorial Beach on Lake Massapoag on Saturday, September 26 from 10 – 12 to learn more about how she met the challenges of this lakeside park. Enjoy the beautiful fall colors and learn about techniques for restoring shore plants, stopping erosion, controlling storm water, meeting ADA accessibility, addressing the challenge of Canada geese, and more.

    For more than 22 years, Amanda Sloan, RLA, ASLA, has worked to bring beauty as well as function to the design of parks and trails throughout New England. Amanda combines her background in natural science, community design, and art on projects such as school and playground gardens, lakeside parks, recreation sites, rain gardens, and home landscapes. Amanda is currently a landscape architect with BETA Group where she specializes in rain garden design and native plants. $44 for Ecological Landscape Alliance members, $32 for nonmembers. See more at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/recreational-lake-shore-restoration-lake-massapoag/#sthash.DYE1HtSf.dpuf