Education

Professional Workshops

EDG Professional Workshop Series 2012

LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER, PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SERIES
Principles of Successful Sustainable Landscapes: Specification, Installation, Maintenance
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on February 27, March 26 & April 23

This three-part workshop series with classroom and outdoor components will focus on specific techniques with the intent to provide understanding of the principles, and specific practices, design and implementation of projects featuring sustainable landscapes. The goal of this series is to help train contractor and design professionals for efficient and successful specification, installation, and maintenance of projects which have sustainable features, including:  ecological restoration, native plants, low-maintenance and water conservation landscapes, as applied to roadsides, parks, turf, residential yards, commercial campuses and utility corridors.

For over ten years, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has been designing, specifying, installing and maintaining ecological restored and sustainable landscapes throughout Texas. Partnered with ASLA and U.S. Botanical Garden, the Center has also led the development of the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES™) which includes a series of metrics and guidelines for these types of designs. Making landscapes sustainable is an increasing national practice due to voluntary green rating systems such as SITES™ and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™), as well as local city incentives and regulations.  Improved landscape practices increase the ecosystem benefits of the landscape and create landscapes that go beyond conventional amenities to provide valuable performance benefits such as clean air and water, storm water mitigation and improved habitat value.

The workshops will be held at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin, TX 78739) from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on February 27^th, March 26^th and April 23^rd. Each class will consist of an outdoor field component to get hands-on experience with concepts, methods and identification.

Day 1: Site preparation and protection: plant-soil fundamentals

Topics will include: Vegetation Soil Protection Zones, soil survey, soil specifications, soil testing

Participants will be introduced to the concepts of a vegetation and soil management plan, including basic soil-plant relationships, soil surveys and types, soil testing and results, and testing for soil compaction and infiltration. Additionally, participants will review ecological site descriptions, map and classify vegetation types, and introduction to creating a management plan for invasive plant species using the Integrated Pest Management strategies.

Day 2: Soil preparation and installation: soil quality, characteristics and plant establishment 

Topics will include: Compost, compaction, seed selection and establishment techniques

Participants will be introduced to soil preparation and protection strategies covering compost (testing and amendments), mineral soils (types and sourcing), compaction testing and BMP’s, soil protection and site hygiene. Installation of plant material will focus on seed selection and sourcing, seeding rates and timing, supplemental irrigation and fertilization. Additional discussions will reinforce concepts of site ecological hygiene, erosion control, germination and vegetation monitoring.

Day 3: Site maintenance: short and long term techniques and plant identification

Topics will include: Short term and long term establishment, invasive and native species , BMPs, Integrated Pest Management

Participants will be introduced to maintenance strategies to maintain establishment and vigor of desired landscape plant material. Techniques considered include irrigation and mowing frequency, prescribed fire use, plant succession, over-seeding and monitoring of plant health. Additionally, monitoring and treatment (cultural, physical & chemical) of invasive species is discussed following the Integrated Pest Management strategy. Lastly, participants will discuss appropriate benchmarks in relation to establishing and maintaining sustainable landscapes.