striking a balance
common sense choices for landscape design and care

This conference is a continuation of our mission to speak to all sectors of the landscape industry about new and innovative approaches to promoting environmental responsibility. We will explore ways to bridge the gap between what's ideal and what's available, forging a link between knowledge and action and shedding light on how to make the process from landscape design to installation to maintenance a healthier one for all of us. Our speakers will present practical examples of how to incorporate ecologically conscious decision-making into realistic and profitable practice. If you want our industry to remain green and vibrant for the long term, come be a part of this lively exchange.

8:15 - Registration
9:00 - Welcome and Introduction
Michael Nowak, MELA president and WGN Radio host

9:15 - Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool Restoration: Meeting Site Challenges
Dan Purciarello, project manager for the restoration
Shawn Kingzette, The Care of Trees
The Chicago Park District’s Lily Pool was designed by Alfred Caldwell, a renowned landscape architect and disciple of Jens Jensen, in the late 1930’s to be a refuge from the city. Over the years the site, just north of the Lincoln Park Zoo, fell into neglect and was no longer suitable for public use. In the late 1990’s the park district partnered with local community groups to restore the site to Caldwell’s original design concepts. Dan and Shawn will describe how they tackled the challenge of restoring the park to the original prairie style design while meeting the needs of the different constituents involved in the process.

10:15 - Diversifying Your Plant Palette
Roy Diblik, Northwind Perennials
While ecological science is becoming more and more important in choosing plants for landscapes, aesthetics and maintenance costs remain a huge part of design reality. Roy will use the knowledge and experience gained over decades of growing plants to show how native and non-native selections can work together, providing diverse, compatible and pleasing gardens that your clients will enjoy and learn from.

11:00 - Panel Discussion
Dan Purciarello, Roy Diblik, Shawn Kingsette
Your turn. The speakers will participate in a panel discussion, moderated by Julie Siegel of J. Siegel Designs. We encourage all conference attendees to offer their opinions--it's one of the ways we all learn and move forward.

11:30 to 1:00 - Gourmet Lunch
Prepared by the Amazing Triton College Hospitality Culinary Arts Department. Their food is so good you may forget to schmooze.  

1:15 - Sex in the Soil
Lynn Bement, The Organic Coach
Christine Nye, The Shedd Aquarium
Bill Scheffler, Pure Prairie Organics
For years soil health has been measured almost exclusively by chemical analysis.  Now this testing can be paired with a biological one to give a more complete picture.  Bill, Christine and Lynn will discuss the complementary nature of these soil analyses and examine test results of Activated Compost Tea trials being conducted in Chicago this year.

2:15 - Killing the Critters, Not the Earth
Dr. Raymond A. Cloyd, University of Illinois
If you missed his talk at the recent Mid-Am conference, here's a chance to learn about the wide range of pest controls that can serve as alternatives to so-called "traditional" methods. In recent years, words like "bio-rationals" have entered the landscaper's lexicon, while insect growth regulators, feeding inhibitors and beneficial organisms have been used with increasing sophistication to deal with destructive pests. Dr. Cloyd will examine these "reduced risk" solutions to old problems and how to apply them effectively in your landscapes.

3:00 - Panel Discussion
Lynn Bement, Christine Nye, Bill Scheffler.
The afternoon panel will be moderated by Donna Danielson, of the Morton Aboretum.

The fee for MELA members is $50, which includes your 2005 membership!
For non-members, the fee is the same, but you have to pay $25 more if you want to become a member for this year. To see why you should, click below.

REGISTRATION

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