Professional Development Programs and Symposia

Sentinel Plant Network (SPN) Regional Workshops

The Sentinel Plant Network (SPN) is holding its second series of regional workshops this spring and summer. SPN engages public garden professionals, volunteers and visitors in the early detection of high-consequence plant pests and diseases and your participation in this exciting program demonstrates your organization’s commitment and community leadership in plant conservation. Were you looking for another good reason to join? SPN offers these terrific professional development workshops at virtually NO cost to SPN member gardens...there is no registration fee, we provide all attendees with meals and overnight accommodations and offer travel reimbursements to participating organizations!

The next workshop is for the Northeastern Region and will be held at Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown, NJ on June 24 & 25, 2013. This event is around the corner so don't delay! You can learn more about this workshop, see the location and dates of other upcoming events and download the application materials on SPN's workshop web page.

Longwood Gardens International Trials Conference

September 16-20, 2013 - Submit abstracts until April, 30, 2013.

If you conduct or use plant trials, don’t miss this cutting-edge conference focusing on the latest research and techniques of trialing annual, perennial and woody plants. Professionals from around the world will converge to share ideas, evaluation strategies, and the importance of trials to each component of the supply chain. Abstracts are being accepted through April 30.

For details and to register, visit http://www.longwoodgardens.org/InternationalTrialsConference.html

Beech Tree Summit:How to Manage Overall Beech Tree Health

April 5, 2013

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Event Details:

Learn about the latest tree management strategies including research on Phytophthora at Longwood Gardens Beech Tree Summit.

Leading experts will discuss pest issues along with management strategies that will help provide better growing conditions for beech trees.

FREE Landscape for Life, 'Train the Trainer Webinar Series'

Save the Date!

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the U.S. Botanic Garden are calling for applications for the new Landscape for Life™ ‘Train the Trainer’ webinar series offered free of charge in 2013. Bring Landscape for Life to your community by becoming an official trainer. Ideal for botanic garden and horticulture educators, master gardeners, master naturalists, garden clubs and those interested in teaching sustainable gardening practices.

The series of five, two-hour webinars offers helpful teaching tips and tools that show you how to effectively utilize the instructor’s manual to deliver this valuable information to your target audience. The manual is a complete teaching toolbox that comes with ready to go presentations that make the Landscape for Life classes convenient to offer in your area. Application deadline is April 19, 2013. For more information and to apply please visit http://landscapeforlife.org/train-the-trainer-webinar-series/.u.

17th Annual Historic Landscape Institute

“Preserving Jefferson’s Gardens and Landscapes”

June 16-21, 2013

This one-week course uses the gardens and landscapes of Monticello and the University of Virginia as an outdoor classroom for the study of historic landscape preservation. Lectures, workshops, fieldtrips, and practical working experiences will provide an introduction to the fields of landscape history, garden restoration, and historical horticulture. Fee charged; registration deadline is April 1, 2013. Call (434) 984-9816 or visit www.monticello.org/hli.

Horticulture Seminar sponsored by the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College

June 21, 9:30 am - 2:00 pm

Join curator Andrew Bunting and horticulturist Josh Coceano for an in-depth look at some truly awesome trees for summer flowering such as Lagerstroemia, Heptacodium, Oxydendrum, Vitex, and Emmenopterys, to name only a few! All trees covered are here at the Arboretum and have proven to do well in the Delaware Valley. Participants will receive thorough plant fact sheets on each tree covered. Please dress for time outside. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. The cost is $15 for members and $25 for nonmembers.

2013 Invasive Plant Conference

Wednesday, July 31 & Thursday, August 1, 2013

National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, WV

The conference will focus on the importance of having a restoration plan prior to invasive plant removal. This is critical to avoid regrowth and re-infestation by targeted and other invasive species. The conference is geared to land managers, restoration specialists, botanic garden managers, and others interested in learning more about invasive plants, biodiversity, and habitat restoration.

For more information, visit: https://online.morrisarboretum.org/IPC

All-American Selections Summer Summit 2013

"Trialed in Canada"
August 12-14, 2013

Join All-America Selections in Ontario, Canada for a 2 1/2 day event designed for AAS participants, supporters, AAS Display Gardens, trade media and garden writers to view the AAS flower and vegetable trials courtesy of local host trials and display gardens. Everyone can learn first-hand exactly what the extensive AAS trialing and judging process is all about and why it matters.

In 2013 we will visit the Niagara Peninsula, which is the first time AAS has visited this area since 2004 and in that time span, we have added one more trial site at William Dam Seeds. So in addition to the trials at William Dam Seeds, we will also see AAS trials at the University of Guelph and Stokes Seeds. As a bonus, we will visit the expansive container trials at JVK, the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens and the impressive Vineland Research Station.

This trip is a great opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about the AAS Trialing process as we'll visit at least three different AAS Trial grounds where the on-site judges will give us a walk-through of what they have seen thus far in their 2013 trials. It's an eye-opening experience to see each AAS entry and hear what the expert judges have to say about their garden performance compared to the other varieties that are planted side-by-side with our entries.

Click here for more information or register to attend.

APGA Volunteer Interaction Symposium

Save the Date!

The Volunteer Interaction Symposium will be held September 25-27, 2013. The event will be hosted by Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. More details will be provided as they become available.

Planet 2013 Green Industry Conference

October 23-25, 2013

The 2013 Green Industry Conference will take place in Louisville, Kentucky. This is the most highly anticipated landscape industry education and networking experience of the year. A speaker lineup composed of the industry's leaders and most successful entrepreneurs; an exposition floor, hosting nearly 500 exhibits; and an unparalleled opportunity to be inspired, learn about industry trends, and build new relationships make this an event you cannot miss.

Please visit the conference website at www.landcarenetwork.org/events/GreenIndustryConf for more information about the event.

For AFP Webinar/Audioconference Series, click here.