Navigation
Upcoming Events
Events List Navigation
Summer Workshop: Novel Approaches to Sustainable Horticulture
Several common denominators define sustainable gardens everywhere. Comprehensive soil management, native plantings, water conservation, and reduced lawn size are some of the paths toward sustainable landscapes, regardless of climate or clientele. With the basics covered in other ELA programs, join us for the ELA Summer Workshop as we explore new strategies to add to the toolbox to save time, reduce your carbon footprint, and bring a tasty snack to your table as we continue our quest for more sustainable landscapes with some novel…
Find out more »Native Plants for Professionals
Join Dan Jaffe for this two-session class (August 7 and August 8 10:00am - 3:00pm) to learn about the best native plant materials available today for use in the design and landscape trades. Covering everything from plants for tough spots to specialty plants for specific habitats, this class will add a host of less familiar native herbaceous species to your plant palette. CEU: 1 MCLP; 1MCA Instructor: Dan Jaffe is the propagator and stock bed grower at New England Wild…
Find out more »Eco-tours: Randall’s Island Meadows NYC
Two Tour Times: 10:00AM and 6:00PM The Freshwater Meadow and Hell Gate Meadow are at two different locations within Randall's Island Park Manhattan. Both meadows were developed in 2010 by Phyllis Odessey, Director of Horticulture and Eunyoung Sebazco, Horticulture Manager. The meadows were started to expand the kinds of eco-systems on Randall's Island. Previous to 2010 Sebazco and Odessey constructed a mile long perennial garden, rock garden, and several specific theme gardens. The goal was to develop a meadow to bring…
Find out more »Eco-tours: Randall’s Island Meadows NYC
Two Tour Times: 10:00AM and 6:00PM The Freshwater Meadow and Hell Gate Meadow are at two different locations within Randall's Island Park Manhattan. Both meadows were developed in 2010 by Phyllis Odessey, Director of Horticulture and Eunyoung Sebazco, Horticulture Manager. The meadows were started to expand the kinds of eco-systems on Randall's Island. Previous to 2010 Sebazco and Odessey constructed a mile long perennial garden, rock garden, and several specific theme gardens. The goal was to develop a meadow to bring…
Find out more »Screening: Five Seasons: The Gardens of Piet Oudolf
Directed by Thomas Piper, this 75 minute film captures the remarkable design genius of revolutionary landscape designer Piet Oudolf. Oudolf is known for designing public works like New York City’s popular High Line and the Lurie Garden in Chicago’s Millennium Park that redefine our conception of gardens as works of art in themselves. This gorgeous, meditative documentary immerses viewers in his work, taking us inside Oudolf’s creative process. From his aesthetic theories to his strikingly abstract sketches to the ecological implications…
Find out more »Native Woody Plant Materials
This is a three-part class. * Wednesday, August 28, 10:00am - 2:30pm *Wednesday, September 4, 2018, 11:00am - 1:00pm *Wednesday, September 11, 2018, 10:00am - 2:30pm Explore the huge variety of native trees, shrubs, and woody vines. Learn which species grow well in shade, which support local wildlife, and how you should stagger your plantings for continuous bloom, fruit production, and fall color. We’ll discuss growth characteristics, cultural requirements, and best horticultural uses. The course will include lectures and walks…
Find out more »Webinar: Capturing Carbon with Trees
Dr. Christopher Woodall will look at how forested rural area carbon assessment is done in the US. He will discuss how these assessments suggest that forests currently offset over 10% of carbon dioxide associated with fossil fuel emissions every year. Because forests and trees in developed landscapes sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide through growth and expansion, their preservation could play an important role in the ability of the US to reach net zero emissions. Christopher Woodall, PhD, is the Project Leader…
Find out more »Eco-tour: Urban Horticulture, Squared
William Penn would likely be pleased with the outcome of the public squares he inserted into Philadelphia’s 1683 city plan. Intended to provide breathing room within the city grid and boost property values, the parks do just that—these much loved public landscapes are social and economic hubs where horticulture plays a leading role. This walking tour will take us to three of the five squares—Rittenhouse, Logan, and Center Square—where we will hear from designers, stewards, and users. The focus of…
Find out more »Eco-tour and Workshop: Meadow Building
Join us at Helia Native Nursery for an Eco-tour through beautiful woodlands, get a glimpse of a rare fen and limestone outcropping, and explore beautiful meadows at Sky Meadow Farm. Learn about the importance of a meadow ecosystem, different methods for meadow building and how to maintain existing meadows to maximize wildlife benefits. Learn how to analyze site and soil conditions and use these results to design and create meadow plant palettes. Come prepared to be outside, walk, dig, and…
Find out more »Webinar: Landscaping for Plant Diversity
What is the role of diversity in the garden and what do we gain by increasing diversity in our gardens, fields, and forests? Despite the wealth of native plant species at our fingertips, we rely too heavily on too few species. By using the great diversity of plants that are native to a region, we can beautify the landscape, minimize inputs, support wildlife, and do away with the ecological deserts created in seas of mulch and functionally sterile lawns. Randi…
Find out more »