Managers of public spaces are experiencing increasing public and legislative pressure to conserve funds and the environment. In response, their contractors feel the effects and need innovative ways to reduce reliance on chemical products, decrease costs and help preserve the environment. With a roster of expert speakers, this symposium was a place to share valuable ideas and experiences regarding alternative methods of maintaining landscapes. From soil health to lawn and tree care to initiatives being taken locally and nationally, Natural Plans for Urban Lands covered it all.

 

Program

Facilitator/M.C.
Mike Nowak
Host of ”Let’s Talk Gardening” WGN Radio
Co-Founder of Midwest Ecological Landscaping Association

Opening Remarks
Sadhu A. Johnston
Assistant to the Mayor for Green Initiatives
Mr. Johnston works for the City of Chicago in the coordination and facilitation of green efforts throughout the City. Founder and former Executive Director of the Cleveland Green Building Coalition.

Guest Speakers
Jeff Frank
Founder of the Long Island Lyceum School of Environmental Horticulture
Consultant to New York and Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, Yankee Stadium, golf courses on Long Island, growers, greenhouse growers and tree care companies.

Shawn Kingzette
Arborist Representative, The Care of Trees, MELA Board Member
“Managing the Soil Food Web to Maintain Tree Health”
Discussing methods of monitoring soil health and techniques available to manipulate the soil microbe populations to impact landscape health.

Shirl McMayon
Director of Natural Resources, Chicago Park District
Discussing new initiatives at Chicago Park District for the wise use of resources.

Lynn Webster
Leelanau Composting
Lynn owns a composting facility and produces compost tea for use in orchards in Michigan.As a Soil Foodweb consultant she has experienced first hand the results of this program.

Dan Dinelli
North Shore Country Club
“Using Compost to Improve Soil and Turf Ecology”
What to look for in “good” compost and the result of applying it to lawns.

Bill Scheffler
Pure Prairie Organics, MELA Board Member
“Providing nutritional solutions for Landscape Problems”
Controlling insects and disease with a natural fertility program.

Symposium Creators

Christine Nye, Horticultural Manager, Shedd Aquarium
As manager of the Shedd Aquarium grounds for over seven years, Christine Nye instituted an organically maintained lawn, and limited chemical and pesticide use. This year she will begin trials using compost tea for disease suppression in cooperation with the Chicago Park District at many of their sites. Along with the Shedd’s grower, Jim Clesen, of Ron Clesen Ornamental Plants, Inc., trials will also begin on select annual crops in the greenhouse.

Daniel Staackmann, President, Organic Matters
As president of Organic Matters, Daniel Staackmann saw a need to raise awareness of environmentally safer landscaping alternatives and create a forum to connect innovative community resources for their mutual benefit. Natural Plans for Urban Lands is the product of this vision. Organic Matters serves the landscaping industry by supplying it with natural and organic products that provide effective chemical alternatives.