Using Native Ecotypes for Habitat Restoration

Darryl Newman of Planters' Choice and Dina Brewster of CT NOFA will speak about the founding of the Ecotype Project, why it is critically important, and the role of LAs in helping move a critical vision for environmental stewardship, food systems security and retooling expectations of the aesthetic for the end consumer. 

A focus will be on helping ensure success on all sizes of projects from a small pollinator garden at a residence to massive restoration sites. Insight into the needs of the nurseries producing the material as well as those installing and maintaining it will be provided so the specifier can make sure proposed projects are set up to be a positive experience for all parties. An active question and answer portion will be included so participants have an opportunity to share experiences, whether good or bad, and to ask about future work to be done.  

Presenters

Darryl Newman co-owns Planters' Choice alongside his father Chuck, the nursery's founder. He is a University of Maryland graduate with a degree in Landscape Management. He worked as a Project Manager for prominent landscape design/build firms in the Washington DC area before returning to Planters’ Choice in 2004. Darryl is a Past President of the Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association and the 2019 Award of Merit Winner. Being blessed with an incredibly gifted and supportive staff who allows him enough time, he has given presentations for the New York Botanical Garden, UCONN, Naugatuck Valley Community College, University of Maryland, CTASLA, CT Northeast Organic Farming Association, the Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association, the Connecticut Groundskeepers Association, the Connecticut Tree Protective Association, the Connecticut Urban Forest Council, the Connecticut Tree Wardens Association, the Connecticut Environmental Council, the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group and the Ecological Landscape Alliance.

Dina Brewster has been a full-time farmer for 15 years, after teaching, first in the Philippines as a Peace Corps volunteer and then in the Bronx as a high school English teacher. She founded The Hickories as a one-acre vegetable garden and has overseen the development of new products and new acreage as the farm business has grown to a 45 acre certified organic fruit, vegetable, cut flower, and livestock business. Committed to connecting people with working land, Dina chose to return to her family’s farm in Ridgefield and start the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program, one that still exists as the backbone of the farm’s business plan. Dina believes we have a responsibility to increase the economic vitality of our regional agrarian economy, improve the long-range ecological stewardship of our land and water, and enliven our cultural commitment to farming.

Objectives

At the end of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Learn how nurseries produce plugs and how that affects specifications and design

2. Understand specification of installation techniques to ensure success and reduce subsequent inputs.

3. Develop an understanding of the aesthetic of wildflowers, and how to articulate that to clients

4. Address siting of different plants in order to achieve the design intent and improve success of the installation

This program is being offered at no cost thanks to a collaborative effort between ASLA Connecticut and Planter's Choice

This program has been approved by LA CES for 1.0 hours of HSW distance learning suitable for landscape architects.

Course Code: 020421

Provider: CT Chapter of ASLA