Showing posts with label #environment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #environment. Show all posts

Monday, July 17, 2017

New York Botanical Garden's "Hortie Hoopla!" Turns Five



The number five is good -- we all wave a “high five” when we are saying congratulations in a physically demonstrable way, don’t we?

I researched the significance of the number five and found that “People with the lucky number five/5 usually tend to pursue freedom.

They do not like to be bounded by their surroundings or other people.

They judge or enjoy things with their senses…”


Well if all that doesn’t more or less describe the Hortie Hoopla attendees’ spirit, I don’t know what does.

Freedom and celebrating nature and the environment with all of our senses is truly a hallmark of those who choose to make horticulture their career.


This Wednesday, July 19, 2017, marks the fifth anniversary of The New York Botanical Garden’s (NYBG) Annual Green Industry Intern Field Day -- or as it’s affectionately referred to: Hortie Hoopla, and hosted by NYBG’s School of Professional Horticulture (SoPH).



(Karen Washington speaking at last year’s Hortie Hoopla.)

The brainchild of Charles Yurgalevitch Director, School of Professional Horticulture, NYBG, and inspired by the rather prescient feature that successful author and horticulturist Ken Druse wrote for Rodale Press in 2013 where Ken introduced us to “The Next Generation” - six young horticulturists, emblematic of the Emergent professionals who are the future of American gardening, Hortie Hoopla has grown to become the seminal event for the future of professional horticulture.

Of the original six, several have spoken at past Hortie Hoopla events - I especially love that Kelly Norris! Here I am last year showing Kelly the spelling of my name so he could autograph his book, Plants with Style for me.






Me, Kelly, and Ken. Happy Plant People.




Kelly Norris speaking at 2016 Hortie Hoopla at NYBG


Brie Arthur is really on a successful roll - this firecracker of a plantswoman is now a first-time author with her just-released book, The Foodscape Revolution, (can't wait to get my autographed copy) published by St. Lynn’s Press; she is the recipient of the American Horticultural Society’s (AHS) first-ever “Emerging Horticultural Professional.”
 

The AHS clearly took a cue from Hortie Hoopla. High-Fives to that!

Brie is also the Keynote speaker at this year’s Hortie Hoopla. Again, High Fives all ‘round.

According to Charles, this year’s Green Industry Intern Field Day has a whopping pre-registration of nearly 250 attendees; over 175 of whom are interns or seasonals. “Further, the event has grown to be regional - attracting attendees from a broader geographic base than the original city or tri-state core audience,” explained Charles. “We’re hosting young professionals from as far away as North Carolina and Massachusetts,” he added, with great pride.

If you are a an intern or seasonal and haven’t yet registered, you can still do so - SoPH and Charles’ team make an exception for you.

Here are the details for Hortie Hoopla's schedule:

5th Annual NYC-area Green Industry Intern Field Day - Hortie Hoopla 5

When: Wednesday, July 19, 2017 @ NYBG

2900 Southern Boulevard

Bronx, NY 10458-5126


Time: 11 a.m.–dusk

Join NYBG for its annual event for interns and seasonal employees involved in the green industry.

This free industry-sponsored event features remarks from top horticulturists around the Tri-State Area.

Plus this being a magical kind of garden, you may discover a special surprise - or two - on this very remarkable day.

View the Garden’s collections and talk with the Garden’s Horticulture curators, test your plant ID skills with a contest, and wrap up the day with food and refreshments, games, and prizes. Nice!

The School of Professional Horticulture is very proud to host Brienne Arthur as the 2017 keynote speaker.

In addition to being a first-time author, Brie helps lead the national suburban foodscape movement -- a model of community development that incorporates sustainable, local food production.

To Register: RSVP with the name and email address of each person attending, and the name of your organization to Eric Lieberman at 718.817.8580 or elieberman@nybg.org.

Space is limited to one supervisory staff member per group of interns.

Arrive early to view the breathtaking works of art created by world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly in his first major garden exhibition in New York in more than ten years.

Program of Events


  • 11 a.m.— Early Registration
  • Lunch on Your Own (Pine Tree CafĂ© open all afternoon)
  • 12:30–3 p.m.—Arthur and Janet Ross Lecture Hall

Welcome
  • Todd Forrest, Arthur Ross Vice President for Horticulture and Living Collections

“My Stories”/Featured Speakers:

  • Louis Bauer—Director of Horticulture, Wave Hill
  • Francisca Coelho—Vivian and Edward Merrin Vice President for Glasshouses and Exhibitions, New York Botanical Garden

Presentation: 
  • Ken Druse, author/photographer

Keynote Address: 
  • Brienne Arthur, author of The Foodscape Revolution 

3–5 p.m.—Visit the Collections at NYBG, including, 
The Thain Family Forest, 
Native Plant Garden, and 
Green Materials Recycling Center (new composting facility), & Hands-on composting demonstrations
Plant ID contest (ongoing)

5 p.m. to dusk—Food and refreshments, fun, games, and prizes in the Clay Family Picnic Pavilion


Food and drink generously provided by:

Floral Landscape Services

Etain Health

Landcraft Environments, Ltd.

Mario Bulfamante & Sons

Bartlett Tree Experts

NY State Arborists Association

Riverside Park Conservancy

The Bronx Brewery (I love this craft beer!)

Thank you, sponsors.

If you are a green industry professional - or want to become one -- this event is for you. See you at the Garden.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

The 3rd Annual, NYBG NYC-Area, Green Industries Intern Field Day Registration still open for the horticultural event of the summer 7/22/15




New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) and the School of Professional Horticulture (SoPH) invite all Green professional interns and an accompanying staff member to participate in the third annual Green Industries Intern Field Day tomorrow, Wednesday, July 22, at 10 a.m. for Hortie Hoopla III.


This Free event includes a full day of informative and inspiring sessions, including remarks from top horticulturists and garden designers, a career information session over lunch, tours of the beautiful gardens and Conservatory at NYBG, a plant ID contest, capped off with a BBQ in the early evening in the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden.  
This event is for horticultural interns (18 and older), accompanied by one staff member from each organization.  Plans and a schedule can also be found at: http://www.nybg.org/edu/soph/hortiehoopla.php
Registration is required.  To register: Contact Eric Lieberman: elieberman@nybg.org or 718.817.8580.
Send the names and email addresses of each intern and staff person attending.  Don’t forget to include the organization you work with.  


Hortie Hoopla III - Wednesday, July 22, 2015


Check-ins begin at 9:30 am in the Ross Gallery with talks beginning at 10 am in the Ross Lecture Hall.


My Stories – Five inspiring bios by successful horticulturists who started as interns:
Karen Daubmann, Associate Vice President for Exhibitions and Public Engagement
Heather Liljengren, Supervising Seed Collector/Field Taxonomist, NYC Parks Greenbelt Native Plant Center
Rebecca McMackin, Director of Horticulture, Brooklyn Bridge Park
Jason Sheets, Brooklyn/Queens Regional Director, New York Restoration Project
Thomas Smarr, Director of Horticulture, Friends of the High Line
Thoughts on the Future of HorticultureKen Druse, award-winning garden writer, photographer, author of 20 books, and host of the weekly radio program Ken Druse/Real Dirt
Keynote Address: Keep Growing! An Abbreviated Anatomy of Cultivating Yourself and the Craft of HorticultureJared Barnes, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Horticulture, S.F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX

12–1 p.m. — Career Information Session and Lunch

The Career Information Session and Lunch take place in the Support for Science Pfizer Science building’s lobby and terrace, respectively.
Following the lunch are the Garden Visits that will take place from 1 to 4 pm.  

The nearly 200 attendees expected at this year’s Green Industries Hortie Hoopla III will break into smaller garden visit groups, cleverly broken into cohorts based on the attendees astrological sign. (Did NYBG determine the astrological couplings are compatible or simpatico??)  It’s in the stars!
Aries or Leo, will start at the (1) Native Plant Garden entrance pavilion
Sagittarius & Taurus – start at the (2) Thain Family Forest entrance, just past the Native Plant Garden entrance
Virgo & Capricorn – start at the (3) Azalea Garden entrance
Gemini & Libra – (4) Perennial Garden entrance
Aquarius & Cancer – (5) Conservatory - Palm Dome
Scorpio & Pisces – (6) Conservatory - Casa Azul
This is a great way to meet new people, and who knows, it might lead to some exciting things.  A job or a romance is not out of the question - after all, astrology is a kind of science too - albeit a pseudo-science - but based on relationships… And then there’s that magic - not unlike horticulture or botany or taxonomy or gardens....


There are a total of five gardens to visit.  

At each garden, there will be one “Mystery Plant” to identify.  A 6th Mystery Plant will be in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory Exhibition House, where the pyramid-like glass structure is located.


Also at each garden on the tour there will be three School of Professional Horticulture students who will talk to the guests/attendees about the hort sites and the plants there.  
This year’s elite SoPH students hail from around the globe, represent the best of what horticulture’s future leaders will be, and are fully engaged in the rigors of SoPH’s exclusive study program.  The attendees are sure to be inspired by them.  
While it’s true that I’m again a SoPH instructor this semester and wear my heartful admiration for the students on my sleeve for all to see, anyone - not just those like me who work with them - can readily see their “hort nobility” in the making..  
 
Attendees can also see the blockbuster Frida Kahlo Art Garden Life exhibition. (check out the NYBG website at http://www.nybg.org/frida/. ) For those with smart phones, check out the app http://www.nybg.org/fridamobile/.  There will be time to visit this exhibit between 4 and 5:30 pm.  

Everyone agrees that there's probably no better way to bond than over food and drink. So after all the more formal, educational and informative program elements featured throughout Hortie Hoopla, there's the chance to network and meet new and interesting people who share a common interest: a successful career in horticulture.  
Charles Yurgalevitch & Alexandria Bogo (2014)

The BBQ at the Family Garden starts around 5:30 pm after the conclusion of the garden tours.  Here’s where the real fun and games get going - amid the luscious, vibrant gardens there, in the picnic area - fueled by homegrown food - some from the Bronx’s famed Italian food nirvana better known as Arthur Avenue and beer from The Bronx Brewery.





Launched in July 2013, The New York Botanical Garden Hosts 'Hortie Hoopla ... the Green event was established to better inform young people interested in a career in horticulture, ecology, landscape design, and ecological restoration about the myriad possibilities and opportunities. Geared toward people who want to improve our environment and the world by working with plants, the event gathered more than 80 attendees from the East Coast.
Doubling the size in just one year, the 2014 event attracted about 160 attendees, demonstrating that horticulture and green jobs offer an exciting, burgeoning career option and further - interested candidates were keen to learn about changing opportunities and the chance to network with other green professionals.  Garden Encore: The Second Annual NYC Green Industry …
Few - if any - institution other than NYBG and its SoPH program has the reach and reputation to produce a program of this caliber.  
Hortie Hoopla is the brainchild of Charles Yurgalevitch, Ph.D., Director of the School of Professional Horticulture and SoPH’s dedicated and tireless advocate of the students and the exciting field of horticulture. (see the August 2013 overview post of the first Green Industry Hortie Hoopla)
 
The Garden extends its special thanks go to this year’s sponsors for their generous support that allows them to provide the free lunch and BBQ.
·        Mario Bulfamante & Sons
·        Metro Hort Group
·        Town & Gardens, Ltd.
·        Carl Schurz Park Volunteers
·        Trees New York
·        The Bronx Brewery
·        Bruce James & Pamela Moulton -- my Landscape Design Alumni Group and Metro Hort      associates.  Kudos to you!  What a good example.  Perhaps next year the LDSA can provide sponsorship..
Any anyone who is keen to support the diverse group of future green industry professionals can invest in this program.


See you at the Garden.  



Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Plant Killer! Multi Media Outreach produced by Chanel Samson, McCartney's LIPA Student Star Advocates How To Go Green



Chanel Samson is a multi-talented student and entertainer: singer, songwriter, and music video creator who is such a “force of nature” that she took up no less a challenge than to raise awareness about taking care of our Mother Nature. 
Chanel is a passionate artist.  Recently she produced a multi-media Green initiative that calls attention to our need to take action and take care.  Of our environment, our community and our planet. 

Chanel wrote a song, produced a music video, organized a Grow team, (she leaned on her collaborative performance team work experience), produced a fundraising Grow event, wrote a helpful Tip Sheet on “10 Ways to Go Green in the City” and was on a media tour to publicize and promote the Grow Green effort and her Plant Killer!  music message.  Wow.  Did I say Force of Nature?!

It’s no surprise I share Chanel’s commitment and outlook.  I daresay Garden Glamour readers do too.  But I wanted to find out why and how the Green issue so motivated a talented, young, entertainer to take on the effort to get the message out about what we can do – as individuals and as a community -- to make a difference -- to affect change.
There was a time when music especially, was a potent force to illuminate issues and to mobilize action.  No kumbaya, rather a "We Are the World" or Sir Paul McCartney's ode to the environment, "How Many People." 

  1.     What made you want to do a song and music video and an event about plants? You write it started as a love song – was it a love song about plants? What changed your mind about the “love” part/how did it evolve?

Chanel answers: Well I was kinda’ dating this guy, Matthew, about whom I’ve written what seems like a million songs: He is the Matthew of “f___k you,” Matthew, in Plant Killer! I had to go home to Los Angeles for the summer and he was staying in England so I asked him to take care of our love plant and he let it die!! Of course I found out three months later because he didn’t want to upset me.
I was sitting at the breakfast table with my family in LA, so angry, and my dad said I should write a punk song. I’m a huge Green advocate and thought how great it would be to turn this into a political song about saving the environment, after all, music such a huge platform for movements.
By the time I got to the second verse, it was about cutting down our forests and how so many people are unaware of the terrible state our planet’s in -- or how they simply choose to ignore it. Hence the lyric: ‘You don’t know.’
I think doing nothing is just as bad as watching from the sidelines. So I went back to my school, The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), and organized a band; within a month recorded Plant Killer! Since I love making music videos, I got all my friends together, pulled favors, and filmed the whole feature in two days at my Liverpool flat without spending a cent.

*  About LIPA from its homepage: LIPA opened in 1996 to forge a new approach to performing arts training.  It was co-founded by our Lead Patron Sir Paul McCartney and Mark Featherstone-Wittey…LIPA is an acknowledged part of the UK’s higher education provision for the performing arts… LIPA provides learning for the main skills needed for putting on a show (performers and those who make performance possible)…
And boy, did the school ever meet its match with the energy and beauty Chanel embodies.  

No wonder Chanel is the sultry siren poster child for LIPA’s 2015 prospectus (Even Sir Paul and Mark take a back seat: their overview appearing on page 3!))

   







 2.     Did you write the lyrics to Plant Killer!? Can you provide some of the words here as a sample for readers?

Chanel answers: I write all my own lyrics and melodies.
Sample Plant Killer! lyrics:

I thought you'd water me with love
I thought you'd be my very own Sunday
I thought your heart was evergreen
but now I know you got a black thumb babe

You don't know. I said you don't know...

I can't believe you killed my plant!
You didn't have the decency to call me!
No. No. No. No. No. No. plant killer!

I have this earth the same as you
but I don't go burning down forests
I grabbed my spade and dug anew
and now you wanna’ kill that to?! No!

You don't know! I said you don't know...

I can't believe you killed my plant!
You didn't have the decency to call me!
No. No. No. No. No. No plant killer!

You don't know. No. No, you don't know. Hey, hey.
Get out now. You don't know...
You gotta’ get yourself a real job or something man...ha!

You don't know. I said you don't know...
I can't believe you killed my plant!
You didn't have the decency to call me!
No. No. No. No. No. No plant killer!

     3.  What was the event you created? A party fundraiser?

Chanel answers: I created the Plant Killer! event to spread awareness about saving our earth. At the moment, humans are consuming more than the environment can handle. A lot of the people in Liverpool either don’t know what’s happening or don’t care. Consequently, I was motivated to create the “10 Ways to Go Green in the City” as a way to green.
The goal was to influence my community and build hope so we had artists from around England come and perform Green-themed acts.

We organized it so that every sale online for Plant Killer! on iTunes went to planting trees in my community with Mersey Forest. For every CD sold, Mersey Forest will plant a tree – with the effort providing nearly 50 trees, to date! Included on the CD are 10 ways to Go Green. Likewise, proceeds from our bake sale and raffle sales from items donated on behalf of independent Liverpool shops.  


* To really take it to the people, Chanel walked along the street, handing out roses -- fresh ones - and in keeping with the theme of Plant Killer! - dead roses -- along with the invitation to the Plant Killer! event invite


      4.  Why did you choose Mersey Forest?  Do you have a relationship with the Forest?

Chanel answers: I chose Mersey Forest because it is located in Merseyside, my community district. I wanted to get across the point of starting “getting Green,” in your own home, sustaining your community, and then growing – or expanding - outwards to other parts of the planet. Green starts in at home...

 5.  Did “Climate Coalition” come through to support Plant Killer! ? Any other associations        come on board?

Chanel answers: They did not but were very supportive and said it was a great idea and wanted other communities to do the same.  If anyone belongs to a Green or Sustainable organization that wants to support our efforts, please contact me!

6.     It looks like you had a fantastic turn out at the event – was there drink/food? How did you fund it? I see there were potting up elements too – tell me what your takeaway for the event was – and did it meet your goals? (I Love the poster!) - see the Plant Killer! Facebook events page It is still so interesting and entertaining to experience.)

Chanel answers: I was so pleased with the event! There was a smoothie bike machine, a homemade bake sale with treats from friends and family, tree seedlings, and raffle prizes! I funded the overall event from my own pocket but the community all pitched in at the end because it was a good cause.

7.     Do you do all the work or is there a team? I loved the decayed/dying plant being buried – even though it was beautiful “you”… And in that spirit – do you think plants need to be anthropomorphized / morphed with human traits in order for more people to relate to them as "Living" things?

Chanel answers: I put together a team for this event, and in the spirit of community… the more the merrier! Ian Weller and Eve Howlett are two Liverpool promoters who helped me with organization, ideas, and getting the word out.
I’ve always had a special connection to plants; we cannot survive without them. We need to show more appreciation and take care of what we have (our community/our planet) before we lose it…

8.     Your visuals are so vibrant and the costumes so robust on the Plant Killer! music video – how do you come up with the ideas for the look and how is that key to the video and song’s success? Where do you source the materials? Do you have a “costume closet” of sorts??

Chanel answers: I have a wild imagination! I get an image in my head and I do my best to create that. Because of my many live shows with my band, I collect tons of crazy costumes and things borrowed. I’m a glitter punk kind of girl: got the class and the sparkle but never afraid to get my hands dirty or in this case, be buried alive!   


I think it’s important to share your head notes on the Plant Killer! YouTube Music Video – you wrote: What started out as a love song became an environmental piece, and I'm so glad it did. Instead of just talking about how humans use more resources than we can replenish, I've decided to take action. For every CD sold, a new tree is planted with The Mersey Forest. The 'Plant Killer!' release event spread awareness and brought together the green community. We can still save this world!

9.     Do you have a garden?  Do you frequent parks and botanical gardens?  

Chanel answers: Since I live in a small flat, I grow my own herbs and plants on my windowsills and often attend the farmer’s markets, supporting the local producers and growers, instead of the chain stores. I always feel at peace in parks and gardens, and of course the air is magnificent!

10.  What does Going Green mean to you?

Chanel answersWe have no choice but to “Go Green.” We’re over-using our resources and polluting the environment when we’re done with them. Four planets would be required to sustain US levels of consumption, and 2.5 Earths for UK consumption levels.  Not to mention the wildlife population has dropped 505 in the past 40 years, according to Chanel’s research.  “We cannot keep ignoring these facts!  We absolutely must take action," Chanel advocates. 

11.  Who provided the “10 Tips to Go Green in the City?” (See Tip Sheet below)

Chanel answers: I live in the city center here in Liverpool where I attend school. I’ve been researching how to Go Green in the city because I’m so passionate about it. So I came up with the “10 Tips on Going Green” based on my own experience, which makes it realistic and proves going Green CAN BE DONE. Just packing a small bag in your purse and using it for shopping or recycling can help. Making people understand that it is possible and easier than they think to get in the habit of living a Green lifestyle.

12.  What are next steps for Plant Killer! ?  How will you extend the program and outreach??

Chanel answers: I will continue selling my CDs at gigs and online, sending all the money to Mersey Forest. People can help the environment while having a good time.  And as ever, spreading the word, inspiring people to have hope and take action.

13.  Tell me about the radio interview – and what was the take away/upshot? Can you share a link for that?

Chanel answers: Jon Morter, who got Rage Against the Machine to win Christmas #1 against the X Factor, now has a rock station. You can find my song there at 1:45


Plus, I’m going to be played and interviewed by Dave Monks of BBC Radio Merseyside hosted by Dave Monks December 6th! Interview is at the 1:04:45 time mark.
Chanel also appeared on the “newish” BBC Show, BBC Introducing...that features “unsigned, undiscovered and under the radar musicians.

Very exciting. For Chanel, Plant Killer! And for the message of going Green and nurturing our environment. 
Surely, Mother Nature is hugging Chanel -- her Green-child -- and her efforts to love the earth and care for its denizens. 

Thank you, Chanel. 

Love Chanel.  And Like her Chanel Samson! Music Facebook page   


Below is Chanel and the Grow team’s tip sheet: (Honor it and share it like your world depended on it!)


10 Ways to Go Green in the City
Our main aim is to cut back the consumption of natural resources. At the moment, humans are consuming more than the environment can handle. The UK would need 2.5 earths to sustain it at current rate, but you can help. Here are 10 ways to lessen consumption in your everyday life. Even if you only do a few, it’s a start!

1. Bring Your Own Bags


Bring your own bags. Plastic bags are not biodegradable, meaning they take upwards of 1,000 years to degrade and in the meantime, harm the environment.  

Take a re-usable bag from home when you go shopping.  If you must take a plastic bag from the store, keep it to use again.

2. Use Less Paper/Recycle


70% less energy is required to recycle paper than making it from raw materials.
Check the companies your with and switch from physical bills to online.

www.mpsonline.org.uk and opt out (In the States, you can go to: onlinebillpay.com or pay trust.com)

Ask if your work/school/library recycles paper


3. Shop and eat local
Not only are you supporting your community, but also reducing the global footprint by less manufacturing and transportation.
-Find Farmer’s markets
http://liverpool.gov.uk/leisure-parks-and-events/markets/farmers-markets/
-Support Liverpool Independent stores

4. Re-use
-Purchase gifts and clothes from charity shops to lesson waste and the need for new production.
-Take a re-usable water bottle and/or coffee mug to work/school/gym
275,000 tons of plastic are used each year in the UK, 15 million bottles per day.

5. Recycle
Although it’s best to reduce and re-use, recycling uses less energy and resources than new production. Everything not recycled gets dumped into the environment and poisons wildlife and natural resources we need to survive.
-Use a separate bin, or bag for recycling in your house. If your flat or house doesn’t have a recycling bin you can order one from your city council.

6. Use Eco-friendly cleaners
Many companies make non-toxic and biodegradable-cleaning products, just read the labels, or order online:

http://www.greenbrands.co.uk/

7. Control Power usage
-Turn off all lights when you leave
-Use energy efficient light bulbs
-Turn appliances completely off, standby mode still uses 85% of electricity

8. Control Water usage
The average person in the UK uses about 150 liters of water for daily living.
With a few changed you can save water, and it lowers your bill J

-Install low flow or eco friendly showerheads, and diffusers on faucets
-Shut off faucets when brushing teeth, dishwashing, shaving etc. 
-Make sure when you’re done the faucet doesn’t drip
-Run dish washer/washer/dryer with full loads
-Limit shower time as much as possible: 5-10 minutes is preferable

9. Join the ‘Big Energy Saving Week’
Go online to lower your energy costs and usage.

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/campaigns/current_campaigns/consumer_campaigns/besw/bigenergysavingweek.htm

10. Spread the Word!
Talk to your family and friends about going green. Go shopping together with your canvass bags, attend farmer’s markets, even start your own green event. The more we talk, the stronger we become; the more action we take, the clearer the reality.

Become a supporter of The Mersey Forest by logging on, and find out what you can do in your community. http://www.merseyforest.org.uk/things-to-do/support-us/
We thank you for being a part of ‘Plant Killer!’ and making a difference!
Chanel Samson and the ‘GROW’ team


 
Chanel !