Through education and networking, ELA advocates environmentally responsible landscaping and horticul
The Ecological Landscape Alliance is a nonprofit, member-based organization of landscape professionals, homeowners, and community groups who believe in using landscape practices that are environmentally safe and beneficial. ELA was founded in 1992 by a group of forward-thinking landscape professionals to:
* Bring about change in landscaping practices by educating landscape professionals and t
Operating as usual
11/23/2022
Have you heard? NEXT FRIDAY we have a virtual conference! Speakers include Claudia West of Phyto Studio, Mark Fiely of Ernst Conservation Seeds, and Elliott Duemler of Taylor Creek Restoration Nurseries. It sure to be a great day of learning and community! Head to the link in bio for more information and registration🌿 See you on Dec 2nd!
11/05/2022
Find out more here: https://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/regenerative-and-resilient-2022/
We hope to see you on November 10th!
We're excited to share that our team members Bonnie Swan and Robert Harris will be presenting at the Ecological Landscape Alliance conference at Longwood Gardens on Thursday, November 10th.
We invite you to register for this conference to learn more from landscape professionals sharing their expertise and experience focused on the importance of ecological landscape management.
Thu, November 10 @ 8:30 am EST - 4:30 pm EST
Register here: https://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/regenerative-and-resilient-2022/
11/04/2022
In anticipation of next Thursday’s conference, let’s take a moment to introduce and thank our incredible lineup of speakers!
First up we have Kate Austin and her presentation Getting it Right: Lessons Learned in Green Infrastructure Maintenance. strategies, design innovations, inspection and monitoring protocols and program management developed over the last ten years of green infrastructure implementation and maintenance.
Next Gregg Tepper, Nature’s Sanctuary: A Unique, Managed-Succession Landscape. This presentation will cover the mutual benefits of Nature’s Sanctuary from the use of native plants, their wildlife value, and its SITES Gold certification to how resources like air, water and soil are preserved and improved.
Our third session will be a shared hour between Rashid Poulson and Matt Benzie, New Directions in Leadership & Highly Skilled Landscape Maintenance. Rashid will be covering new leadership directions at Brooklyn Bridge Park and Matt will be discussing his work with his company Indigenous Ingenuities.
We hope to see you there!
10/29/2022
"Ecological Landscape Maintenance: Raising the Bar" - Join ELA for the annual 2022 Regenerative Solutions for Resilient Landscapes Conference, IN PERSON at Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA on Thursday, November 10 @ 8:30 EDT-4:30 EDT. Click on the link for more information and for tickets.
2022 Regenerative Solutions for Resilient Landscapes - Ecological Landscape Alliance Ecological Landscape Maintenance: Raising the Bar Join the ELA for the 2022 R & R Conference, in person at Longwood Gardens Thursday, November 10 @ 8:30 EDT-4:30 EDT Please scroll down...
10/28/2022
This year's ELA's Season's End Summit was held at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill and it satisfied the need for information and inspiration in ELA's first in person ELA conference. It's been a while since we gathered together in person! And you could not have asked for a more fabulous location. Fall in New England at Tower Hill is beeeauutifull!!
Thanks to New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill for hosting!! Great to see everyone!
10/28/2022
When you know you want to do your best to care for pollinators, turn to the science-based advice of Heather Holm.
bee-friendly garden cleanup, with heather holm IN A RECENT conversation with Doug Tallamy about ecologically minded fall cleanup, he raised the name of Heather Holm, and how some of the pollinator..
10/18/2022
Wednesday, November 16th - a free webinar for ELA members. $10 for non-member. 12noon - 1 p.m., EST Please register.
Webinar: 100 Plants to Feed the Monarch Butterflies - Ecological Landscape Alliance A book about planting for monarchs (and for motivated readers and gardeners) is not quite as wondrous as monarchs and their individual life cycles, their host relationship with milkweeds, or...
10/18/2022
Thursday, November 10, 2022 at Longwood Gardens, it's ELA's 2022 Regenerative Solutions for Resilient Landscapes. For more information and for tickets, click the link. This is an in person event.
2022 Regenerative Solutions for Resilient Landscapes - Ecological Landscape Alliance Ecological Landscape Maintenance: Raising the Bar Join the ELA for the 2022 R & R Conference, in person at Longwood Gardens Thursday, November 10 @ 8:30 EDT-4:30 EDT Please scroll down...
10/18/2022
Thursday, October 27, 2022 - Seasons End Summit - a day long event. You can join us in person at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, or join virtually. Click on the link for more information and for tickets.
2022 Season's End Summit - Ecological Landscape Alliance Are we Getting it Right? Observations on the Ecological Landscape Join ELA for the 2022 Season’s End Summit either online, or in person at New England Botanic Garden at Tower...
10/18/2022
Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 12noon. Excellent presenters and it's free to you if you are an ELA member. $10 for non-members.
Webinar: Not in My Front Yard: Social-Aesthetic Barriers to Green Infrastructure in the Public Realm - Ecological Landscape Alliance Landscape designers nationwide believe in the many benefits of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI); but, for this strategy to succeed, the public must want these installations in their yards, parks, schools,...
09/30/2022
Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at 12noon. Join us for a free webinar - from poison ivy to cashew and poisonwood, we will explore the diversity of the family and learn more about its toxic members, which are distributed across approximately 33 genera. Registration required.
Webinar: Poisonous Anacardiaceae: Poison Ivy and Beyond - Ecological Landscape Alliance The cashew family, Anacardiaceae, includes a number of economically important plants and many notoriously poisonous species. From poison ivy to cashew and poisonwood, we will explore the diversity of the...
09/30/2022
JOIN US! Either in person, or virtually for this year's Season's End Summit, Thursday, October 27, 2022. Click here for more info
https://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/ela-summit-2022/
09/29/2022
Thursday, October 27, 2022 - ELA's Season's End Summit. The conference has engaged five professionals to tell their stories of landscape interaction of plants, the environment, the management and the creatures that rely on them (including humans). JOIN us, either in person at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill or virtually, your choice. Click on the link for more information.
2022 Season's End Summit - Ecological Landscape Alliance We’re Going Hybrid! Join ELA for the 2022 Season’s End Summit either online, or in person at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, Boylston, MA. Please scroll down to...
09/10/2022
Wednesday, October 19 @ 6:30 pm EDT - 7:15 pm EDT Are you looking for an alternative to traditional swimming pools? Considering a natural swim pond for your next design project? Join ELA and Karina Lapierre, BFA and Owner of Lavish Gardens, to ask your questions and get professional advice on constructing recreational ponds.
This is a Special ELA Members Only Event. If you aren’t yet a member, you can join here: https://www.ecolandscaping.org/membership/
Eco-Answers with an ELA Eco-Pro - Natural Swim Ponds - Ecological Landscape Alliance Special ELA Members Only Event – If you aren’t yet a member, you can join here. Are you looking for an alternative to traditional swimming pools? Considering a natural swim pond for your next design project? Join ELA and Karina Lapierre, BFA and Owner of Lavish Gardens, to ask your questions and...
08/25/2022
Are you signed up for ELA's enewsletter? If not, you're missing out on great articles like this. Sign up here: https://www.ecolandscaping.org/articles/
Ecological Amenity or Weedy Pit? - Ecological Landscape Alliance Green Street Rain Gardens, Aesthetics, and Social Values By Kate Cholakis and Eliza Pennypacker Evenly trimmed lawns and crisply edged plant beds filled with dyed brown, red, or black mulch. Sheared evergreen shrubs and plants bred for vibrant flowers or patterned leaves. Plants spaced far apart wit...
08/25/2022
An ELA eco-tour, Saturday, September 17 at 4PM - visit the complete landscape renovation designed and built by Jay Archer. Explore the ever-evolving project! At the heart of this project was the complete removal of the entire backyard – formerly a large lawn. Space is limited. Please click on link for more information and for tickets.
Eco-tour - Private Garden in Rye, NY - Ecological Landscape Alliance The Secret Garden of Celestial Happiness These gardens represent a complete landscape renovation designed and built by Jay Archer. Explore the ever-evolving project! At the heart of this project was the complete removal of the entire backyard – formerly a large lawn. As with all of Jay’s project...
08/25/2022
Join ELA for an eco-tour in western Massachusetts, Friday, September 9, 10AM-12PM. Explore three beautiful meadows at Helia Native Nursery. Learn about the importance of a meadow ecosystem, different methods for meadow building and how to maintain existing meadows to maximize wildlife benefits. Helia Native Nursery is situated on Sky Meadow Farm, a beautiful 109-acre farm in Alford, Massachusetts. Click the link to learn more.
Eco-tour: Exploring the Demonstration Meadows at Helia Native Nursery - Ecological Landscape Alliance Explore three beautiful meadows at Helia Native Nursery. Learn about the importance of a meadow ecosystem, different methods for meadow building and how to maintain existing meadows to maximize wildlife benefits. Helia Native Nursery is situated on Sky Meadow Farm, a beautiful 109-acre farm in Alfor...
08/12/2022
Save the Date! Season's End Summit this year - Thursday, October 27th. Check back to register!
Two other conferences coming in 2022, still in the planning phase, that you want to mark your calendars for and check back for details:
2022 Regenerative Solutions for Resilient Landscapes
Thu, November 10 @ 8:30 am EST - 4:30 pm EST
****AND****
Ecological Plant Conference
Fri, December 2 @ 8:30 am EST - 4:30 pm EST
2022 Season's End Summit - Ecological Landscape Alliance We’re Going Hybrid! Join ELA for the 2022 Season’s End Summit either online, or in person at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, Boylston, MA. More details coming soon.
08/12/2022
Check out this great resource for the northeast.
The Northeast Native Plant Primer - Ecological Landscape Alliance By Uli Lorimer Published by Timber Press The following excerpt is adapted from Uli Lorimer’s book The Northeast Native Plant Primer (Timber Press Publishing, May 2012) and is reprinted with permission from the publisher and the author. What Is a Native Plant? What defines a native plant? This is a...
08/10/2022
Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at 2 p.m., join us for an hour long webinar about designing with native plants. ELA members register for free. Non-members $10.
Not an ELA member - that's easy to fix. Join safely online here https://www.ecolandscaping.org/membership/
Webinar: Native Plant Gardens: Designing for Beauty - Ecological Landscape Alliance Now that we understand why native plant gardens are so important for creating habitat and supporting pollinators, it’s time to kick things up a notch! Can native plants be used to design a stunning garden? Indeed they can! Whether you are designing for an exacting client, or spiffing up your own g...
08/05/2022
What a great opportunity, Saturday, August 20th! Register while space is still available.
Eco-Tour - Flying Trillium Gardens and Preserve - Ecological Landscape Alliance Flying Trillium Gardens and Preserve is located in the southern Catskill Mountains in Sullivan County, NY. (Please note the tour location is not in Tarrytown.) The gardens are an ongoing work by author, teacher, and landscape designer, Carolyn Summers. Throughout her career, Carolyn has been acutely...
07/07/2022
"Trees have adapted, making compounds to help fend off herbivory and fungal infections. But there is no chemical strong enough for some of what we wreak: We dig in or drive over their root zones. We prune, not because a tree needs it, but because a garden bed below has grown too shady for our liking. We strand a tree in a sea of lawn, where it is exposed to unwanted fertilizer and an automated watering schedule."
In Your Enthusiasm for Planting, Don’t Forget About the Trees Trees can take a lot of punishment, but they have their limits. Here’s how to work around them safely.
06/16/2022
Free to ELA members. Wed, August 24 @ 2:00 pm EDT - 3:00 pm EDT (Not a member yet? click here: https://www.ecolandscaping.org/membership/)
Webinar: Native Plant Gardens: Designing for Beauty - Ecological Landscape Alliance Now that we understand why native plant gardens are so important for creating habitat and supporting pollinators, it’s time to kick things up a notch! Can native plants be used to design a stunning garden? Indeed they can! Whether you are designing for an exacting client, or spiffing up your own g...
06/16/2022
For certain, "Kill Your Lawn" has been a popular talk title given by Dan Jaffe Wilder and Mark Richardson, both ELA trustees. Dan is interviewed by Margaret Roach in this New York Times piece about making that transition to a more ecologically-friendly "lawn."
Yes, You Can Do Better Than the Great American Lawn There are any number of ecologically friendly alternatives to that lawn you’re so proud of — and they look nice, too. Here’s how to start slowly.
06/13/2022
For ELA members only - Wed, June 22 @ 6:30 pm EDT - 7:30 pm EDT Get your questions answered about going electric! Join ELA and Matt Benzie as we take a look at Battery-Powered Landscape Equipment.
There are now practical alternatives on the market to gas-powered landscape maintenance equipment (GLMEs). Let’s talk about why they are worth a try and how to choose your best option. Join us as we talk with Matt Benzie, President and Owner of Indigenous Ingenuities, an environmental landscape design, build and management company located in Doylestown, PA that exclusively uses battery-powered equipment.
Eco-Answers: Going Electric in the Landscape - Battery Powered Options - Ecological Landscape Alliance Special ELA Members Only Event Join ELA and Matt Benzie as we take a look at Battery-Powered Landscape Equipment. There are now practical alternatives on the market to gas-powered landscape maintenance equipment (GLMEs). Let’s talk about why they are worth a try and how to choose your best option....
06/13/2022
A unique opportunity! Saturday, August 20th at 10 a.m. - a tour! Flying Trillium Gardens and Preserve is located in the southern Catskill Mountains in Sullivan County, NY. The gardens are an ongoing work by author, teacher, and landscape designer, Carolyn Summers. Throughout her career, Carolyn has been acutely aware of the need for clients, DIY homeowners, and designers to be able to see how lovely native plants are when used in garden settings. Carolyn is the author of Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East.
Eco-Tour - Flying Trillium Gardens and Preserve - Ecological Landscape Alliance Flying Trillium Gardens and Preserve is located in the southern Catskill Mountains in Sullivan County, NY. (Please note the tour location is not in Tarrytown.) The gardens are an ongoing work by author, teacher, and landscape designer, Carolyn Summers. Throughout her career, Carolyn has been acutely...
06/13/2022
An interesting interview by Margaret Roach with Wesley Knapp (for us plant nerds.)
taking stock of native plants, with natureserve's wesley knapp WHILE RESEARCHING a story about the endangered status of native trillium in North America recently, I was happy to meet botanist Wesley Knapp. Our trillium..
05/19/2022
From ELA's May enewsletter. If you don't get our monthly enewsletter, sign up here: https://www.ecolandscaping.org/
Herbicide Drift: How To Monitor And Report Damage To Wild Plants - Ecological Landscape Alliance This article was first published on the Xerces Society’s blog in March 2022 and is reprinted with permission. By Emily May With spring weather just around the corner across the Midwest and northeast US, I have my eyes peeled for woody plants to start blooming and bees to start flying. As you watch...
05/19/2022
A helpful article from ELA's most recent enewsletter! If you are not on ELA's email list, you're missing out on these monthly enewsletters packed full of good stuff. Sign up here: https://www.ecolandscaping.org/
How and Why Trees Die After Planting - Ecological Landscape Alliance By Norman Helie The annual death rate of newly planted trees in the city is high. Many trees die during the first season. The first season of life at the new site is very important. Regardless of the tree planting technique, bare-root, container, or balled and burlap, the tree roots system is distur...
05/19/2022
We need more green infrastructure to address stormwater and contractors that know how to maintain these systems.
Green infrastructure helps cities with climate change. So why isn't there more of it? The U.S. is making the largest investment in history in the country's water system. In the rush to spend, some worry green projects will be overlooked.
05/19/2022
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. EDT. It's free!. Join us and register here: https://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/restoring-the-heirloom-apple-orchard-at-tower-hill/
Webinar: Restoring the Heirloom Apple Orchard at Tower Hill (Free to All) - Ecological Landscape Alliance A Wednesday Walk in the Garden Learn about the restoration of New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill’s heirloom apple orchard. Mark Richardson is Director of Horticulture for Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, MA, where he oversees the horticulture and horticulture outreach staff and serves ...
04/29/2022
Corridor Ecology: Linking Landscapes for Wildlife Conservation - Ecological Landscape Alliance By Dr. Annika Keeley, Senior Conservation Scientist Center for Large Landscape Conservation Building is usually a positive sign of economic growth – new roads, new homes, and new businesses in our communities can improve our quality of life and provide more employment, education, and recreation op...
04/21/2022
Celebrate Earth Day!!
Celebrate Earth Day Every Day - Get Started with these Eco-Actions! - Ecological Landscape Alliance As we approach Earth Day, share ELA’s list of ecological steps with colleagues, friends, and family. Here are actions all of us can take to make our landscapes more earth friendly. Lawns Reduce the size of your lawn and replace with an alternative such as a low maintenance meadow, edible landscape...
04/03/2022
Take advantage of this great opportunity to learn more about soil from Mark Highland, The Organic Mechanic ~ Wed, May 11 @ 12:00 pm EDT - 1:00 pm EDT
Join us, it's free! You just need to register. Click the link below.
Webinar: Soil - It's What Plants Crave! (Free to All) - Ecological Landscape Alliance A Wednesday Walk in the Garden Come get your soils questions answered by The Organic Mechanic! Soils are the foundation of any garden. Managing soils organically improves soil structure, soil microbiology, and increases ecosystem health. This conversation about organic soils, fertilizers, and soil a...
03/29/2022
ELA Members! A special event just for you. Wednesday, April 20th at 6:30-8:00PM, EDT
Spring is here and the plants are putting out their new growth. We all understand that plant health is directly correlated to soil health – so how do we keep the soil healthy to support our plants? Join us as we talk with Andrew Brousseau from Black Earth Compost to discuss soils, fertilizer, and compost. During this 45-minute live Zoom Q&A, Andrew will provide a quick overview of the “Bread Oven” method of composting for your yard or farm. Then he will jump right into your questions for the bulk of the Q&A session. Please click on the link to register.
Eco-Answers: Soils & Compost - Ecological Landscape Alliance Special ELA Members Only Event Spring is here and the plants are putting out their new growth. We all understand that plant health is directly correlated to soil health – so how do we keep the soil healthy to support our plants? Join us as we talk with Andrew Brousseau from Black Earth Compost to....
03/29/2022
Wed, April 20 @ 12:00 pm EDT - 1:00 pm EDT Join us for this informative webinar! Event is free, registration is required. https://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/lawn-to-meadow-2/
Webinar: Lawn to Meadow, or How I Killed My Lawn During COVID (Free to All) - Ecological Landscape Alliance A Wednesday Walk in the Garden Visit Leslie Duthie’s lawn murder in south central Massachusetts and learn the techniques she used to kill the lawn and turn it into a meadow. She will detail the steps she used to transform the space. What were the pitfalls? What were the high points? You’ll see t...
Encore Performing Arts Studio Inc. Encore Performing Arts Studio
Swift Creek Academy of the Performing Arts Swift Creek Academy of the Performing Arts (SCAPA) ended as a school of performing arts on June 15,
J.B. Watkins Elementary PTA Welcome to the J.B. Watkins PTA page!
Midlothian Middle School Library Midlothian Middle School Library 13501 Midlothian Turnpike Midlothian, Virginia
Empire Beauty School at Midlothian Empire Beauty School offers a full cosmetology program with an education in Hair, Nails, Skincare and Makeup. We also offer the Esthetics program at select locations. We want to help you take the next step to living your best life.
ArtHaus Visual Art Studio ArtHaus is a full service Visual Arts Studio that currently offers exceptional classes for artists of all ages. We are located at 1811 Huguenot Road #304 in Midlothian, VA. Come by and see us! www.arthausrichmond.com
Cloverhill Christian Academy Preparing today's students to impact tomorrow's world.
Mt. Pisgah Preschool Mt. Pisgah Preschool is a faith-based preschool education program of Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Chu
SWIFT CREEK DRIVER IMPROVEMENT Teaching the Richmond area to drive defensively since 2001.PAUL H. MCCRAY 804-332-1596
James River High School PTSA Welcome to the James River High School's Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) Facebook Site. James River High School's PTSA is a local unit of the Virginia PTA and the National PTA, and a member of the Chesterfield County Council of PTA's.
Millwood School Millwood School is a college preparatory school for students in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.