Wild Ones "Design with Nature" 2010 Conference - SOLD OUT

!SOLD OUT!

We invite you to attend our monthly meetings, garden tours and plant sale.
Please check the calendars for St. Croix Oak Savanna and Twin Cities Wild Ones chapters for future events at www.for-wild.org.

The St. Croix Oak Savanna and Twin Cities chapters of Wild Ones are partnering with the Minnesota Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (MASLA), and "Blue Thumb-Planting for Clean Water" to present:

Douglas Tallamy: "Nature Happens Here" Ed Plaster: "Soil Restoration" Welby Smith: "Trees and Shrubs for our Area" Evelyn Hadden: "Natural Habitat for Humans and other Species"

Presenters will share the latest research on designing beneficial habitats using native plants to provide essential support for insects, birds and wildlife. Also featured are exhibitors from native plant nurseries, natural landscape designers and environmental organizations. Please join us for an exciting day of ideas in preparation for spring.


Conference Schedule 8:00 am - 8:45 am Registration Lobby
8:00 am - 1:30 pm Exhibits Open Salon E
8:45 am - 9:00 am Welcome Main Hall
9:00 am - 10:45 am Nature Happens Here Doug Tallamy
Nature Happens Here calls us to re-examine the link between the vitality of our landscape ecosystems with human well-being. The message is simple. By reconnecting to our patch of earth, be it small plot or large project, we make a significant contribution in restoring nature’s healthy bounty.

Doug Tallamy, renowned entomologist, focuses on the key role native plants play in our landscape through their co-evolved relationships with insects, birds and other wildlife above and below ground. Based on his extensive research, he discusses ways to improve insect diversity which in turn supports a healthy community of natural enemies to maintain balance. In addition, we discover the impacts of exotic ornamentals on natural systems, what defines “alien” and “native” when selecting plants, and design strategies to restore vital wildlife food, shelter and nesting areas.

10:45 am - 11:15 am Break and Exhibits
11:15 am - 12:15 pm Soil Restoration Ed Plaster
Almost every gardener and designer has faced the question of how to amend their soil to reduce compaction, improve low nutrient levels, and increase water holding capacity. What are the appropriate soil strategies? Use of compost? Is compost tea the answer? Ed begins to address these questions with the simple philosophy that healthy soil is alive and teeming with essential bacteria, fungi, mycorrhyzea and other living organisms. These underground organisms making up the soil food web are fundamental for plant health. He will share his learning on beneficial practices to restore our soil to support a robust environment.

12:15 pm - 1:30 pm Lunch Buffet and Exhibits
1:30 pm - 2:45 pm Trees and Shrubs of Minnesota Welby Smith
Native trees and shrubs represent an important factor in our landscapes for more than the aesthetic attributes. They are important contributors to increasing our wildlife diversity by habitat, food, and insect life that in turn is food for other animals. Interestingly, not all native plants provide the same level of habitat for a wide variety of insect and animal species. From initial research in this area, trees and shrubs lead the list, such as oaks, cherries and dogwoods. Welby will share with us the top offerings, ecological significance, their habitat and requirements for growth, flowers and fruit, native adaptive range, culture and cultivation requirements in the landscape.

2:45 pm - 3:15 pm Break and Silent Auction
3:15 pm - 4:30 pm Natural Habitat for Humans and Other Species Evelyn Hadden
Evelyn brings the final component to the day’s ideas by describing design elements for a more nurturing and diversified approach to your land. We will learn about “inside - out” design, vertical layering of vegetation for increased diversity and habitat, matrix plants, island sanctuaries, corridors, choosing plant companions that support each other and boost soil health. Other approaches to your design include shaping the land to address runoff, identifying unfilled niches in your landscape palette and supporting natural cycles by viewing “wastes” as resources.

4:30 pm - 4:40 pm Auction Announcement and Closing


Date and Time: Saturday, February 27, 2010 to Saturday, February 27, 2010 : 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Cost: $45.00

Location

Radisson Hotel in Roseville
2540 North Cleveland Ave.
Roseville MN 55113

Contact Information

Phone: 612-293-3833
Email: designwithnature.conference@gmail.com
Website: http://for-wild.org/chapters/twincities/conference.html