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Living Landscapes Conference

• Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Understanding the Ecological Benefits of Ornamental Horticulture

This full-day, in-person workshop explores the beauty of designed landscapes while emphasizing their ecological role.

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Online registration is closed. Walk-ins are allowed. Attendance fee is $100

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Agenda:

7:30 AM – 8:15 AM - Sign-in and light breakfast provided

8:15–8:30 AM - Welcome and Announcements
Mina Vescera, CCE Suffolk, and Vinnie Simeone, Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park

8:30 – 9:30 AM - Evolving Ecological Landscapes
Logan Kjep, Living Lands

We are often tasked with designing landscapes that appear mature upon installation and change minimally: a “perpetually picture-perfect” manicured aesthetic. However, the healthiest landscapes see a lot of evolution! Resilient and diverse plant communities start small, develop through ecological succession, and see dramatic transformations over time. We can design our landscapes and gardens as dynamic, evolving plant communities. Designing with natural systems, particularly plant communities' cycles, can reduce maintenance, maximize seasonal interest, and build resilient biodiversity.

9:30 – 10:30 AM - A Native Lawn – Is It Possible?
Krissy Boys, Native Plant Gardener, Cornell Botanic Garden (Retired)

In 2008 – 2009 Krissy Boys and Cornell Botanic Gardens installed a demonstration native lawn in the Mundy Wildflower Garden entrance area using locally native species of grasses and low growing flowering plants. Krissy will describe the process, step – by – step, from conception through seed collection, site preparation, sowing and maintenance. She ‘ll discuss the progress of the lawn through 2023 – the pitfalls as well as the ongoing successes.

10:30 – 11:00 AM - Stretch Break

11:00 – 12:00 PM - Restoring Out-of-Balance Managed Habitats When Native and Non-Native Plants Run Amuck
Luke Gervase, Invasive Species Specialist, GEI Consultants

Invasive species, nuisance weeds, and natives-gone-wild can wreak havoc on already disrupted ecosystems. Management can be a complex endeavor and often requires all tools possible to be at one’s disposal. In addition to the management of these nuisance species, there are other things to consider such as permitting, project costs, native plant restoration, and future monitoring. This presentation will review invasive species management case studies/project examples and highlight the additional things that need to be considered when undertaking projects of this nature.

12:00 – 1:30 PM - Lunch included with registration

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12:45 – 1:30 PM - Appreciating Planting Fields Arboretum

Celebrate fall in the Arboretum by exploring on your own or join Vinnie Simeone on a tour of one the collections.

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1:30 – 2:30 - What Happens When You Stop Mowing? Caumsett State Park Preserve Case Study
Sue Feustel, Environmental Chairperson, The Caumsett Foundation

In 2009 the discovery of the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly at Caumsett State Park Preserve in Huntington set in motion a change from the regular mowing of 6- 8 acres lawn area to mowing once a year. Native warm season grasses and forbs began occupying these sites enhancing biological diversity but then came the porcelain berry. Learn of the recent management strategies being employed to restore these sites while preserving the unique native flora and fauna.

2:30 – 2:45 PM - Stretch Break

2:45 – 3:45 PM - Long-term Maintenance Considerations for Rain Gardens and Bioswales
Rusty Schmidt, Landscape Ecologist, Nelson, Pope, and Vorhis, LLC

Rain gardens and bioswales are more than ornamental additions to the landscape. They provide important functions of capturing run-off and filtrating pollutants. As with any managed landscape, they need regular maintenance for optimal functionality and beauty. This 1-hr presentation will provide essential maintenance tips on how to keep rain gardens and bioswale from going to the weeds.

3:45 – 4:00 PM - Closing Comments & Distribution of CEUs

Fee

$100 per person. NO refunds after October 14th.

Location

Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park
1395 Planting Fields Road
Oyster Bay, New York 11771

Last updated October 21, 2024