Boston Flora

Tag: University of Rhode Island

  • Thursday, August 2, 7:00 pm – Biological Control of Invasive Pests in New England Landscapes

    Our forests, landscapes, and gardens seem to be constantly assaulted by new invasive weed and insect pests. Lily leaf beetle, winter moth, Japanese knotweed, hemlock woolly adelgid, garlic mustard, mile-a-minute vine, and even kudzu are already well-established in southern New England and the emerald ash borer has its sights on us. Ironically, in many cases, the best opportunity to manage these pests involves introducing additional non-native species – generally insects – that regulated them in their native homeland. Dick Casagrande of the University of Rhode Island will speak at Elm Bank on Thursday, August 2, beginning at 7 pm, on the Biological Control of these invasive pests.

    Dr. Casagrande will discuss current programs, opportunities and limitations for biological control of landscape pests of particular importance in our region. He will also answer questions and offer practical advice to homeowners interested in controlling (or enhancing) insects in their homes and yards.  The lecture fee is $12 for Mass Hort members, $15 for non members, and pre-registration is not required.  For more information, visit www.masshort.org.

  • Tuesday, September 20, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm – Urban Sustainability: Roger Williams Park Botanical Center and Beyond

    Join Ecological Landscaping Association and URI Research Associate Kate Venturini on Tuesday, September 20, from 10 – 12:30, for a unique insider tour of the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center complex in Providence, Rhode Island, an urban oasis nestled in the heart of the 427-acre park designed by Horace Cleveland in 1878.  Through a partnership between the URI Outreach Center and the Providence Parks Department, the Botanical Center complex is being transformed both inside and out as a model for sustainable urban horticulture.  Located on an island surrounded by man made ponds, the complex features a newly designed and installed rain garden to capture greenhouse roof runoff, Rhode Island’s largest community garden, the future site of a permaculture food forest, extensive outdoor display gardens featuring native and sustainable plants, and the largest public indoor display gardens in New England (approximately 12,000 square feet of greenhouses.)  Join Kate as she shares her insight into the successful planning and management of indoor and outdoor showcases, illustrating the latest and greatest urban horticultural and agricultural practices.  For more information, email ela.info@comcast.net, or call 617-436-5838.  $20 for ELA members, $25 for non-members.  The address of Roger Williams Park is 1000 Elmwood Avenue in Providence.

  • Monday, September 19, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm – More Ticks in More Places: How the Ever-Changing Ecology of Tick-Borne Diseases in the Northeastern US Affects You

    The Arnold Arboretum will host a lecture on Monday, September 19, from 6:30 – 8 in the Hunnewell Building, 125 The Arborway, by Thomas N. Mather, Ph.D., Director of The University of Rhode Island Tick Encounter Resource Center. Occurrences of Lyme disease and related tick-transmitted illnesses (babesiosis, anaplasmosis (formerly human granulocytic ehrlichiosis or HGE) have reached near-epidemic proportions in some areas of New England. In Massachusetts, however, there was a statewide decrease of 35.6% in reported cases of Lyme disease from 2009 to 2010 according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Don’t be fooled though into thinking ticks and disease are going away, because 2011 has been an exceptionally ‘ticky’ year so far. Dr. Thomas Mather will discuss current trends in tick encounter risk as well as his efforts to help individuals and communities prevent tick bites and Lyme disease. Fee: Free for Arnold Arboretum members, $15 nonmembers.  Register at www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

  • Tuesday, June 28, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm – Urban Sustainability: Roger Williams Park Botanical Center and Beyond

    Join the Ecological Landscaping Association and University of Rhode Island Research Associate Kate Venturini for a unique insider tour of the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center complex in Providence, Rhode Island, an urban oasis nestled in the heart of the 427 acre park designed by Horace Cleveland in 1878.  Through a partnership between the URI Outreach Center and the Providence Parks Department, the Botanical Center complex is being transformed both inside and out as a model for sustainable urban horticulture.  Located on an island surrounded by man-made ponds, the complex features a newly designed and installed rain garden to capture greenhouse roof runoff, Rhode Island’s largest community garden, the future site of a permaculture food forest, extensive outdoor display gardens featuring native and sustainable plants, and the largest public indoor display gardens in New England.  This Tuesday, June 28 tour will cost $20 if you are an ELA member or $25 for non-members.  Please call 617-436-5838 to register, or visit https://www.eventville.com/catalog/eventregistration1.asp?eventid=1008073.