Principles of Successful Sustainable Landscapes

This two-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 US 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.

DAY 1: Site Assessment, Preparation, Design and Installation

Topics will include: Soil and ecological health, site assessment and design, soil and vegetation protection zones, organic amendments, compaction, seed selection and establishment techniques 

Participants will be introduced to the concepts of a vegetation and soil management plan, and assessing soil conditions. Additionally, 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 2: Innovation, Installation to Maintenance, Tree Care and Protection, Invasive Species and Creative Plant Assemblages

Topics will include: Case studies in innovation and maintenance, short- 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.

Prerequisite Material

It is recommended that participants review the 2013 Professional Webinar Series, Introductory SITES Webinar Series, and attend all sessions as content builds across the series, including the outdoor field components. Links to the webinar series are provided after registration.

Pricing

Pre-Registration ($300)

• Register using the link below.
• Advanced registration must be made by October 27th, 2016. Advanced registration will include morning/afternoon refreshments and snacks, and lunch.
• Please inform the registrar if you prefer vegetarian lunch.

Onsite Registration ($350)

• Onsite registration is limited to available seating and will begin at 8:00 am on November 10th.
• Discount: Wildflower Center members receive a 10% discount on registration fees.
• Scholarships that provide free registration are available for up to 30 students (underwritten by the Hobby Family Foundation). Apply here.
• Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be provided (self-reporting).