New at the Conference
Lunchtime Meeting of Carbon Working Group, March 5
As conference attendees, we are interested in how land practices affect ecosystems and work to make the best ecological decisions for each project site. Gathering at the ELA conference encourages us to dream even bigger!
We know that conventional land management practices contribute to the carbon problem both around the globe and right here at home. Do you have ideas about how managed land practices could be changed to mitigate climate change? Thoughts on how to make the changes happen? Conference attendees are invited to a lunchtime meeting to brainstorm and discuss this topic. Whether you are a grower, designer, farmer, contractor, teacher, student, non-profit leader, or town official, the Ecological Landscape Alliance wants to hear from you. We’ll work to find the points of connection and agreement on how to manage carbon issues on our own projects and in the wider world; we’ll even consider next steps.
This will be a great conversation – come and add your voice! Pick up your lunch in the Auditorium and bring it to Room 174. Our meeting will start soon after 12:30 pm.
Seed Exchange, March 4 & 5
Bring in any extra seed you have and take what you need! Please make sure your seeds are well labeled with the name of the species and where it was collected (whether that be in the wild or in a garden). We are a regional organization, so a wide definition of native is just fine. No invasive species, please! The seed swap will be located alongside the twig ID quiz in Room 165. Dan Jaffe will conduct a brief tutorial on seed collection, cleaning, and storage in the same room from 3:30-4:00 both days.
Note to ELA Members – If you are attending the conference, let us know you’re there! Promote your business or organization within the ELA Community by submitting your member profile on a Powerpoint slide to be displayed during lunch. Email to ela.info@comcast.net.
Thank You to our Conference & Eco-Marketplace Exhibitors and Sponsors
Visit the Eco-Marketplace to Learn from Our Exhibitors
Amherst Nurseries ~ Bigelow Nurseries, Inc. ~ Black Earth Compost
Casella Organics ~ COGdesign ~ Compostwerks! LLC (Lunch Sponsor)
Conway ~ E.J. Prescott ~ Ernst Conservation Seeds ~ Essex Horticulture, LLC
Filtrexx ~ Fourth Generation Nursery ~ Green Earth Ag & Turf
HomeWorks Energy ~ Izel Plants ~ Kind Earth Growers
MA Nursery and Landscape Association ~ OESCO, Inc (Speaker Sponsor)
Organic Mechanics Soil ~ Pavers by Ideal
Planters’ Choice Nursery (Reception Sponsor) ~ Read Custom Soils
Van Berkum Nursery, LLC ~ Weston Nurseries Wholesale ~ Wild Seed Project
More Courses Added for National Green Infrastructure Certification Program
The National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP) sets national certification standards for green infrastructure (GI) construction, inspection, and maintenance workers. In collaboration with ELA, Trevor Smith offers a 5-day, 35-hour NGICP course that provides graduates the skill set needed to design green stormwater infrastructure and to oversee successful construction, inspection, and maintenance of these projects.
Upcoming Classes:
February 24-28, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston, MA
March 16-20, EJ, Prescott, Round Lake, NY
March 30-April 3, EJ Prescott, Gardiner, ME
New Classes and Eco-Tours in 2020
Find new classes and eco-tours for 2020 listed on ELA Events page. We add events frequently, so check often for new listings.
February 19: Let Us Hear from You
Don’t have time to volunteer, but have ideas for programs ELA should offer? Give ELA a call during volunteer virtual coffee on the third Wednesday of the month any time between 12:30 and 1:00 to share your ideas. To receive the call-in number, email: ela_new @verizon.net.
Enjoy all the ELA Membership Benefits – including free and discounted events.
