Sustainable Landscaping

Watch this collection of videos to learn how to expand your sustainable and ecological landscaping business.

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  • New Naturalism: Lessons from Wild Plant Communities

    An in-depth lecture that applies elements of plant ecology and real-world examples from wild plant communities to the built landscape; highly recommended for conferences and venues geared towards landscape designers and managers. Kelly’s love for native plants and his experiences with wild plant ...

  • Building a Business Strategy Around Native Plants

    Sage Advice Landscape Design has become known as a go-to design company for those who want to incorporate native plants in their garden. The truth is, we put them in every garden and we're gaining referral customers because of it! This presentation will present our formula for successfully using ...

  • In Full View

    Let us examine a "warts and all" real-world case study of the challenges, failures, and successes of an ecological landscape design/build. From sales and marketing strategies focused on changing the paradigm of landscape design towards a more sustainable, ecological model, to failures and success...

  • Transitioning Your Company to Eco-friendly Maintenance

    It is easy to recognize the shifting winds in business as many clients desire a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to their yard care. How can your company act on that desire to create a pollinator-friendly yard while still meeting their needs for a tidy look? What are the best practice...

  • An Ecologist's Approach to Pest Management

    This presentation will focus on the science behind integrated pest management (IPM) and how those who provide pest management services can transition into a holistic IPM approach. Integrated approaches begin at the time of installation, and include biological control, proper cultural practices, c...

  • Case Studies in Working Landscapes

    Working landscapes provide natural beauty and serve additional functions, such as; managing storm water, supporting resilient plant communities, growing crops, creating habitats, and engaging spaces for people. We will be looking at some of the terminology, examples of materials and systems, and ...

  • Kid, You Don't Know Anything!

    A lifetime lived in horticulture and 30+ years of sustainability can teach you lots of lessons. I will share some things I have learned about sustainability, being green, being a pioneer, PSP (psychology, sociology and politics) and business.

  • Foodscaping with Natives

    Thoughtful design and management of landscapes is more important than ever as concerns of climate, water quality and invasive plants increase. Brie will discuss how to create a foodscape using native plants mixed with favorite seasonal food crops. The best organic products are featured and easy, ...

  • Invasives That We Know and Love

  • Natural Pools & Swimming Ponds: Recreational Waterscapes for the Landscape

    Natural pools, swimming ponds, and recreational ponds are eco-friendly man made water features designed for human swimming and bathing. These biologically purified watershapes promote biodiversity and help to restore native wildlife habitats while providing relaxation and enjoyment for families w...

  • Salt Reduction in Winter Management & Emission Free Commercial Maintenance

    Environmental preservation has always been a significant part of the landscaping industry. Today, it plays a major role in sales, operations, and recruiting. This presentation will review the positive influence electrical maintenance equipment and salt tracking has on these three roles.

  • Interview with Refugia, Ltd.

    From the 2021 Impact Conference, Jennifer Jewell interviews Jeff Lorenz and how the audience can connect smaller concepts to make a larger impact.

  • Why Wouldn't You

    Refugia Design/Build embodies Doug Tallamy's call-to-action of 'bringing nature home' with their tangible, practical approach to neighborhood restoration. Since 2015, founder Jeff Lorenz has been cultivating an ever-growing constellation of native habitat throughout PA & NJ via Refugia's Ecologic...

  • Planting a new Paradigm

    In recent years, the case for ecological approaches to landscape design, implementation, and management has gained visibility on the national level as a viable method of combating climate change, species collapse, and energy and chemical dependent practices. Presently, traditional horticulture an...

  • Creating a Sustainable Urban Oasis: The Meadow at the Old Chicago Post Office

    Hoerr Schaudt’s design, horticulture, and construction administration team share the process of transforming the rooftop of a desolate, unused industrial building into the nation’s largest private rooftop garden atop a modern workplace. Designed with sustainability in mind, The Meadow sets the st...

  • Unlawning Suburbia: Lessons in Design, Mgmt & Activism of Prairie Inspired Yards

    Over the last several years Benjamin has worked on a variety of lawn-conversion projects, from 2 acres of sown meadow at a university to countless urban front yards. In this diverse presentation, we’ll explore several public and private spaces, how they were designed and implemented, what the man...

  • Improving Environmental Quality Through Phytoremediation Using Native Plants

    In this program, you’ll learn about how native plants can be used to improve soil, air, and water quality by removing or transforming common environmental contaminants found in urban, suburban, and rural settings through a process known as phytoremediation. You’ll also learn how to consider the l...

  • Sustainability vs. High Value Crops

    This presentation discusses the growing operations and maintenance of high value greenhouse crops, like annual flowers, vegetables, and hemp. Many landscapers select their annuals and other flowers based on cost or relationships. Rarely are the practices and procedures of the grower considered. I...

  • Designing Native Seed Mixes

    Native seed mixes can be tricky. You want to get good coverage without breaking the bank, but how much of each species do you need? During this session, Jason Fritz will share 20 years of insights on native seed and teach you how to design a robust, native seed mix that is not only appropriate fo...

  • Know Your Natives on a First Name Basis

    Landscape design has shifted to designing based on plant communities and how plants interact with each other. This session will focus on species that work well as the filler/groundcover species, with a heavy emphasis on our native sedges well adapted for a designed plant community. Attendees will...

  • Nativars and Communicating Their Value to Clients

    This session explores the phenomenon of cultivated native plants, their benefits, and the ecological impact on the surrounding habitat. By reviewing a combination of scientific research and anecdotal narrative, Ryan will provide a look at how nativars fit into a modern landscape and what data sho...

  • Native Plants and the New Ecology: Impacts for the Commercial Landscaper

    This seminar would outline the problems that common horticultural practices have created in ecological systems during the past 60 years in a non-confrontational, good humored and engaging way. It will describe the new native plant initiatives that are now disrupting the design and commercial land...

  • Brooklyn Bridge Park: Lessons (so far!) in Constructed Ecology

    Brooklyn Bridge Park, an 85 acre, organic park in the middle of New York City, was created with ecology in mind. The park’s award winning piers include top notch recreation, from opera to outdoor films, all of it beautifully designed. But the piers also contain native woodlands, freshwater wetlan...

  • Best of Both Worlds: Art & Ecology to Elevate Public Space Landscapes

    Public space landscapes are the primary interface between the public and our industry. As such, these special landscapes need not be relegated to a utilitarian design with a limited plant palette. Beyond the public-facing nature of these landscapes, public space landscapes are more than decoratio...