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What is the Ecological Landscape Alliance?

Since its founding in 1992, the Ecological Landscape Alliance has been a leader in promoting sustainable approaches to landscape design, construction, and management. ELA’s commitment to innovative ideas and evidence-based practices has made the organization both a trusted resource and a vibrant community of landscape professionals and devoted gardeners.

Our Mission

The Ecological Landscape Alliance advocates for ecological landscape practices through education, collaboration, and outreach.

Our Vision

Everyone who interacts with the land is a steward whose actions are informed by an understanding of and respect for natural systems.

Our Members

We are diverse in many ways but united in common purpose. We:

  • Believe in using landscaping practices that are environmentally safe;
  • Understand that natural systems are the best guide for learning how to develop and maintain healthy landscapes;
  • Value landscaping methods that are based upon scientific studies and practical experience;
  • Are committed to educating ourselves and others about ecological landscaping methods; and
  • Strive to create a network of dedicated people who can be a powerful agent for change.

ELA’s growing membership includes:

  • arborists
  • community activists
  • conservation agents and commissioners
  • ecologists
  • educators
  • engineers
  • federal, state, city, and town personnel
  • irrigation specialists
  • garden coaches
  • gardening enthusiasts
  • land planners
  • landscape architects
  • landscape designers
  • landscape professionals
  • landscape contractors
  • lawn care professionals
  • watershed personnel
  • wetland scientists

Discover Ecological Landscaping Guide

New to ecological landscaping?

Check out the ELA Discover Ecological Landscaping Guide to learn more.

I learned so much from David Seiter’s webinar.  I love the scientific approach and thinking differently about some plant species in terms of services, design, interaction with people, etc. Thank you!

Missy F

I met and made new friends with great topics to discuss.

Timothy M.

The conference was wonderful; it always is for me. I especially love that it is not ever dumbed down and I love being immersed in my most favorite subjects. It’s always astounding to me how well vetted the keynote speakers are. They are always so inspiring. It’s great to see familiar faces, old friends, and to make new friends in the fields that I love.

Andi R.

Thanks - another great webcast. For those of us living too far away to take advantage of other ELA offerings, your webinars are eagerly awaited. I teach classes at the NC Arboretum, and always tell my students about them.

Nina S, Hidden Road Landscape Design

"I just returned from visiting the Celebrating Natives gardens in Concord and Lincoln. They were so interesting and the homeowners answered any questions we had. Please do this again. It is a wonderful way to spread the word on ecological gardening. Thanks."

C. Mandler ELA Newsletter Subscriber and Tour Attendee

Can I just say I have enjoyed all the lectures, conferences, classes and tours put on by ELA. You are doing a fabulous job. Thank you so much for all the work you put into this really incredible resource.

Georgia H

Thank you Penny for making this delightful series available to members of the GCFM. [A Walk in the Garden webinars] have been one of my favorite hours each week this springtime. The speakers have been top notch subject experts who have excellent teaching skills to boot. Their photo presentations have been beautiful and informative. All around an excellent series!

Linda N

Thanks so much for organizing a great informative Mid-Atlantic conference. The speakers were all excellent and very enlightening, I came away with lots of new knowledge. I also enjoyed meeting and networking with lots of like minded professionals.

Mark E. MSE Landscape Associates, LLC

I loved the Roy Diblik design workshop. Educational, hands on and inspirational. Great job!

Ruth R

Speakers were very good, but meeting landscapers at the talks & in the lobby was best.

Cathy B.

I thoroughly enjoy being a member of ELA. In fact, I get the most out of my membership from your organization than from any other professional organization I belong to. Your educational opportunities are fantastic, I have enjoyed every webinar I've ever attended, and your newsletter is always informative and helps me do my work. Thank you!

Nancy H. Little Eden Gardens

Laura and I were just talking about how much we get from all of the ELA events and webinars…. The good "vibes" abound at ELA events.

John K, Land Design Inc.

I am an avid consumer of your web information and webinars. Keep up the excellent work!

Judy P. Connecticut Sea Grant

THANKS FOR THIS WEBINAR EVENT -- and to the author for the links to the Rodale Institute. To-the-point, compact (but not compacted!), memorable and motivating!

Joeth B.

I just wanted to let you know I thought the conference was fantastic. It was so informative and the speakers where great! Thanks so much.

Kim H. Kim Hoyt Architect & Landscape Architect P.C.

I really love ELA. Can't believe I only discovered y'all last year!

Laura B

I love the new website. It’s clean and clear and the articles you highlight have great, inspiring content.

Meg H Plant Me a Rainbow

I am really enjoying all the webinars that the Ecological Landscape Alliance is offering. Thank you so much for organizing them and making them available for FREE! I spread the news about them on my Constant Contact page for the NJ Native Plant Society. 

Susan H.

I salute you on the excellent conference today at BBG! It's cheering and edifying for my staff and me to be among so many people, old friends and new, who value horticulture and ecology.

I want to thank you and ELA for having such a wonderful speaker [Heather Holm] talk about our native bees and plant partners. It was fantastic. Great photos. 

Virginia K.

I wanted to thank you for an excellent Walk in the Garden series. The webinars were all-around professional, fact-filled, and pertinent presentations. I've learned a lot and am inspired to implement some changes!

Margaret R.

Thank you for offering...courses via webinar - it really helps to save the professional development budget & travel time from my job. I find these information sessions very interesting, inspiring and informative.

Thanks for providing the great professional society that I have been long searching for.... I am definitely a better, more informed practitioner for it.

Thank you for a full day’s worth of insightful material! Thank you for organizing this great event every year.

Karen C.