Boston Flora

Tag: Umass

  • Saturday, April 28, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm – Ware River Nature Club Spring Conference: Our Aerial Insectivorous Birds – Current Conservation Issues

    The Ware River Nature Club’s Spring Conference will take place Saturday, April 28 from 8:30 – 4:30 at the Harvard Forest in Petersham. The guild of northeastern avian insectivores—birds that specialize in feeding on flying insects—includes Whip-poor-wills (picture below, courtesy of www.allaboutbirds.org), Common Nighthawks, Chimney Swifts, several species of swallows and flycatchers, and Purple Martins. Most of these species are experiencing dramatic population declines and range contraction. The plight of aerial insectivores is gaining increasing attention since the magnitude of the declines over the past 25 years has been alarming. This conference will address ecology, current status, and theories regarding population decline in several species. Some citizen science opportunities will be explored.

    GUEST SPEAKERS:

    Kim Spiller, UMass ECO Graduate School—Overview: Aerial Insectivore Conservation Concerns

    Pam Hunt, New Hampshire Audubon—The Whip-poor-will: Biology and Conservation of a Crepuscular Enigma

    Marja Bakermans ,Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Andrew Vitz, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife—Migratory Connectivity of the Eastern Whip-poor-will

    KEYNOTE: Margaret Rubega, University of Connecticut—The Disappearance of an Almost-Invisible Bird: The Mysterious Biology and Decline of the Chimney Swift

    Mara Silver, Northeast Swallow Conservation—Conservation of Cliff and Barn Swallows, Two Species in Decline in the Northeast

    Mary Keleher, Cape Cod Bird Club—Mary’s Mashpee Martins

    Jessie Knowlton, Wheaton College—Threats and Coping Strategies of Neotropical Migrants on the Wintering Grounds: Examples from Southern Mexico

    Hollie Sutherland, UMass ECO Graduate School—Using Trail and Web Cameras for Bird Study

    $35 for WRNC members, $45 for nonmembers, lunch included. Contact warerivernatureclub@yahoo.com to register or for more information.

    Image result for whippoorwill bird

  • 2018 UMass Garden Calendar

    Each year, the UMass Garden Calendar presents a selection of plants chosen by the UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery & Urban Forestry staff for pest resistance, adaptability to specific growing environments, and seasonal effectiveness. A brief description accompanies each photo to provide some detail about these plant choices. Furthermore, daily gardening tips provide information on garden pests and management strategies to help gardeners reduce pesticide usage. Also included are “how-to and when” tips such as dates to plant peas, renovate lawns, prune and fertilize roses, conserve water in the landscape, and many more.

    The 2018 UMass Garden Calendar includes a featured article about Insects to Look for in Massachusetts which, along with a short segment on beneficial pollinators, presents key information on and photos of current invasive insects of note.

    Each month of UMass Extension’s 2018 Garden Calendar features:

    One large, inspiring garden image plus information about the image
    Daily gardening tips for Northeast growing conditions
    Daily sunrise and sunset times*
    Phases of the moon
    Plenty of room for notes
    Low gloss paper for easy writing

    The UMass Garden calendar is a wall calendar. The dimensions of the calendar when open are 12.5″ wide x 19″ long. Proceeds from sales of the Garden Calendar benefit UMass Extension’s Landscape, Nursery & Urban Forestry Program. Online orders with a credit card: https://ecommerce.umass.edu/extsales/ Single copies are $12 each plus shipping. For more information visit http://ag.umass.edu/landscape/publications-resources/garden-calendar/how-to-order-umass-extensions-2018-garden-calendar

     

  • Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 18 – August 8, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Permaculture Design

    In this seven-session tutorial course to be held in the Cheney Room of the Education Building at Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street in Wellesley, Marie Stella, instructor, permaculturist and landscape designer, will introduce you to the principles and application of permaculture —a natural, ecological, and organic approach to land management and landscape design. This class is being offered through the Stockbridge School at UMass, and can be taken for 1 credit. MUST PRE-REGISTER.

    Classes will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 18-August 8.

    For Credit, register at www.umassulearn.net.
    $482/in-state
    $691/out-of-state

    Audit this UMass Class through Massachusetts Horticultural Society. By registering here, you will be registering at a reduced rate, and will receive NO COLLEGE CREDIT. Sign up for the audit at www.masshort.org.  Mass Hort Member Cost: $150; Non Member Cost $200.

  • Thursday, April 6 – Sunday, April 9 – UMass Keystone Project

    The Keystone Project is an intensive, 3–day, retreat style training at the Harvard Forest that focuses on forest ecology and stewardship, wildlife management, and land protection. The training consists of both indoor and field sessions, as well as informal time to learn from fellow participants. In addition, each participant is given substantial take–home resources. The Keystone Project educates forest owners and community leaders who have a significant impact on their communities. Keystone Cooperators can own forestland, be involved in the care and stewardship of a property, or be an active community leader.

    Next spring, the program will take place on: Thursday evening, April 6, through Sunday afternoon, April 9, 2017. Applications will be accepted starting now, and the application deadline is Monday, March 6, 2017. For more information about Keystone or to download an application please visit https://masskeystone.net/, or contact Paul Catanzaro at 413.545.4839 if you have any questions.

  • Monday, January 9 – Friday, January 13, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Introduction to Vectorworks

    Vectorworks Landmark is a 2D & 3D CAD solution for landscape design. The focus of this Massachusetts Horticultural Society course will be on instruction and exercises on the basic 2d environment. Students will develop the capability to use Vectorworks Landmark module to develop designs, create compelling presentations, and exchange work with other design professionals and allow for a streamlined workflow.

    Mass Hort is now Partnering the Stockbridge School at UMass to offer classes at The Gardens at Elm Bank for UMass credit!Part of the Sustainable Food and Farming Associate’s Degree and the Certificate of Sustainable Food and Farming.
    Class meets at Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street in Wellesley for five, full days, Monday, January 9 to Friday, January 13 from 10 – 4. Pre-registration required, register now at www.umassulearn.net. 2 credit through UMass Amherst. $944 for Massachusetts residents.

  • Saturday, March 19, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm – Apple Tree Grafting

    UMass Extension’s Fruit Program has announced its 2016 Seminars (visit http://ag.umass.edu/fruit/mass-aggie-seminars-2016 for full list) and today we highlight the March 19 hands on workshop on Apple Tree Grafting. Many people do not realize that all apple varieties are reproduced by grafting – they are not grown from seed. For horticultural enthusiasts, one of the most satisfying techniques to master is grafting. Wes Autio will present a hands-on workshop on ‘bench grafting’ and ‘cleft grafting’ of apple trees. Other grafting techniques will be discussed. Proper tools and sharpening will be included. All participants in the workshop will graft several of their own apples trees to take home. There will be a break for participants to enjoy a BYO lunch.The class will run from 9 – 3 at the UMass Cold Spring Orchard, 391 Sabin Street in Belchertown. Fee $100, and you may register online at the website above.

  • Wednesday, December 10, 9:30 am – 3:45 pm – Greenhouse Vegetable Production in Containers

    UMass Extension Greenhouse Crops and Floriculture Program will hold a workshop on Wednesday, December 10, from 9:30 – 3:45 at the Publick House in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.  $40 per person, plus an additional fee if you register online with a credit card.  Registration includes morning refreshments, breaks, and handouts.  You may also print a mail in registration form at http://extension.umass.edu/floriculture/events/greenhouse-vegetable-production-containers.

    Speakers include Rich McAvoy from University of Connecticut, who will speak on Growing Greenhouse Tomatoes and Cucumbers, Carol Glenister of IPM Laboratories on Perfecting Biocontrol in Greenhouse Vegetables, Brian Krug of University of New Hampshire on Growing Bench-top Greens, M. Bess Dicklow of UMass Extension Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory on Diseases and Disorders of Greenhouse Tomatoes, and Brad Clegg of Four Town Farm and Dave Volante of Volante Farms, leading a Grower to Grower Panel.  Image from www.gizmag.com.

  • UMass Extension’s 2015 Garden Calendar

    Gardening is enjoyed by so many people – it can ease stress, keep you limber, and even improve your mood! To help keep your plants healthy, productive, and beautiful, the 2015 UMass Garden Calendar offers guidelines and tips on how and when to fertilize flowering plants, calculating the area of your garden, how to get a soil test, the types of fertilizers for flowers, and using organic matter.

    Properly fertilized plants are healthier, more productive and more beautiful. Plants that are stressed are often more susceptible to disease and insect problems. Even if you start with great garden soil, as your plants grow, they use some of the nutrients that are present and leave the soil less fertile. Rainfall washes out some nutrients and those tasty vegetables and beautiful flowers you grew last year took nutrients from the soil to build those plant tissues. By testing your soil and providing the right amount of fertilizer to your garden, you ensure that this year’s plants have the nutrients they need to flourish.

    Each year, the Garden Calendar presents a selection of plants chosen by the UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery & Urban Forestry staff for pest resistance, adaptability to specific growing environments, and seasonal effectiveness. A brief description accompanies each photo to help understand these plant choices. Furthermore, daily gardening tips provide information on garden pests and management strategies to help gardeners reduce pesticide usage. Also included are “how-to and when” tips such as dates to plant peas, renovate lawns, prune and fertilize roses, conserve water in the landscape, and many more.

    Our perennial wish is that you enjoy this calendar as much as we enjoy producing it, and that it is helpful in all your gardening endeavors.

    Single copies of the 2015 calendar are $12 each. Visit https://ecommerce.umass.edu/extsales to order online with a credit card.

  • UMass Soil and Plant Tissue Test Lab

    UMass Soil and Plant Tissue Test Lab has moved.  On September 16, the Lab moved from West Experiment Station to a newly renovated space in Paige Laboratory on the UMass Amherst campus. Orders sent to the old address will be automatically forwarded to the new address:

    UMass Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Lab
    203 Paige Laboratory
    161 Holdsworth Way
    Amherst, MA 01003-9286

    Turnaround times may be affected by the move. For questions, contact the lab by phone at 413-545-2311, or by email at soiltest@umass.edu.

  • UMass Green Directory

    The UMass Extension 2014 Green Directory is available for download at http://ag.umass.edu/agriculture-resources/green-directory. The 42-page guide offers names and contact information for staff with expertise in particular areas, information about extension newsletters, conferences, and workshops, information about testing services provided by the extension, and other useful information. A good document to keep at hand.

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