2006 MELA G-3 Conference
Triton College
2000 Fifth Ave
River Grove, Illinois
February 22, 2006
9:00 am to 3:30 pm
This conference program has been left on the website for reference. If you would like to see reports on this and other past MELA events, click here.
The Midwest Ecological Landscaping Association invites you to our 2006 annual conference, fourth in an ongoing series that we call MELA G-3: Getting Green Greener . This year the focus is on how "green" as a way of life and a business practice has evolved far beyond being simply an ethical choice. More and more, "green" makes practical and financially beneficial sense. Landscaping clients are more savvy, and horticultural techniques and philosophy are inexorably moving towards that much overused but important concept, "sustainability." 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. As always, we welcome both professionals and the public as we share and celebrate green industry changes that are making our planet more liveable.
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Morning Sessions
Building a Green Business
James Sotillo, arborist and owner, Tree Wise: The Organic Experts, New York
More and more, landscapers are discovering that creating a successful business and employing earth-friendly techinques is not an "either/or" proposition. Arborist James G Sottilo of Treewise illustrates, through scientifically proven practices, the ability to cultivate and maintain some of the world's most pristine and private landscapes. Within 3 years he built an all organic tree care company from conception to multi-million dollar organization and will tell you how he did it.
Prosper With Efficient Water Use
Tom Cangelosi, account manager, John Deere Landscapes
The area of water management has made significant advances in the past several decades, with the not-for-profit Irrigation Association actively promoting water conservation and efficient water use. Today it is possible to construct high-efficiency irrigation systems for landscapes of all types and sizes. Drip irrigation, sprinkler controllers utilizing ET data and rain and moisture sensors have improved the performance of sprinkler systems. These are some of the "best management practices" that John Deere's Tom Cangelosi will discuss, along with green roof irrigation and rainwater collection systems.
Shawn (above)
and Mike (right)
Chicago Tribune's' Beth Botts
interviews Triton's Ken Benson at the 2005 conference.
Afternoon Sessions
GreenScapes: Profitable Sustainability at Work
Jean Schwab, GreenScapes Program Manager, EPA
Here's the bad news: Whether it's highways, golf courses or parks and campuses, there are millions of tons of waste materials that are hauled away, burned or buried each day from landscaping operations during construction and day-to-day operations. These include trees, shrubs, brush, lumber, asphalt and concrete. Not only that, these same operations also use millions of gallons of water, pesticides, fuels and oils every single day . Now the good news: The costs of these materials, both economic and environmental, can in most instances, be easily reduced or eliminated with updated landscaping methods. The EPA's Jean Schwab will explain how through GreenScapes, which is short for Green Landscaping, the costs of these materials--both economic and environmental--can be easily reduced or eliminated.
Greening Troubled Sites
Chris Newman, environmental scientist, EPA
How can the green industry get involved in applying responsible resource management to brownfield redevelopment? Many working in brownfield redevelopment are changing the cultural thinking and see including ‘green' traits in a project equal with the economic development that is taking place. There are many ways to define ‘green' in the redevelopment landscape, and Chris Newman with the EPA in Chicago will focus on how responsible resource management could be applied to brownfields.
Keeping Ahead of Landscaper Liability
Liz Karns, Law of the Garden
A good landscaper is also a responsible one who not only knows and employs good horticultural practices but doesn't neglect potential legal repercussions. Tree and garden lawyer Liz Karns will walk us through the road map regarding legal issues facing landscapers today. She will examine trends in chemical trespass and and personal injuries due to improper spray applications and make suggestions on how to prevent liability situations and effectively use MSDS.
3:30 pm--Final remarks and thunderous applause
The inimitable gourmet lunch
will be provided from 11:30 til 1:00 by the Triton College Hospitality Culinary Arts Department
Elegant landscape designer Julie Siegel leads a panel discussion at the 2005 conference.
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