Annual Meeting 2014
ELA held its annual meeting on July 15, 2014 at Garden in the Woods in Framingham, MA to review ongoing initiatives and chart new collaborations. Each year ELA meets to review its fiscal status and renew its commitment to promoting land care based on an understanding of and respect for natural ecosystems.
The organization welcomed six new board members at the annual meeting:
Geovani Aguilar, Construction Project Manager at A Yard & a Half;
Thomas Benjamin, Landscape Architect at Landscapes Rooted in Wellness;
Jonathan Ford, civil engineer and Senior Project Manager at Horsley Witten Group;
Michael Opton, Senior Executive at Terrascapes;
Mark Richardson, Horticulture Director at New England Wild Flower Society; and
David Queeley, Eco-Innovation Fellow for Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation.
Continuing ELA initiatives for 2014-15 include the Annual Conference & Eco-Marketplace, Autumn Summit and Spring Symposium, Summer Eco-tours, Winter Roundtables, Annual Community Action Project, Webinar Series, and Newsletter. A focus for the new year will be expansion and realignment of membership benefits with a focus on membership retention.
Midway through the day, Mark Richardson, a new ELA board member, provided a history of the Garden in the Woods and an overview of the property’s new master plan before leading an interpretive walk through the gardens. Developed with an eye toward mitigating the effects of climate change and providing a model of sustainable horticulture, the master plan is rooted in a thorough analysis of the site from its topography, soils, light, and hydrology to its history, plant communities, seasonal interest, and views.
ELA members took a break to enjoy a tour of New England Wildflower Garden during their annual meeting.
