Little Island NYC’s Post

Help us choose our next native plant heroes! You don't need to be a Native Plant Trust member to submit your nominations. See our award criteria and nomination links for three different categories: 1. Founders' Medal: For exceptional leadership and achievement in the conservation and promotion of healthy, biologically diverse landscapes. The Founders' Medal honors achievement in conservation, horticulture, or education whose impact rises to national or international importance. The recipient may be based anywhere in the world. Nominate here: https://lnkd.in/epvnn4w6... 2. Regional Impact Award: For exceptional leadership and achievement in native plant conservation, horticulture, or education in New England. The Regional Impact Award recognizes one or more individuals or organizations for exceptional leadership and achievement in native plant conservation, horticulture, or education with regional significance. Although the individual or organization could be based elsewhere, the work must be executed in New England or have its primary focus on the native plants of New England. Nominate here: https://lnkd.in/eMKqfCGS 3. Volunteer Service Award: For outstanding service to Native Plant Trust. The Volunteer Service Award recognizes leadership, consistent dedication, and effectiveness in furthering the mission and activities of Native Plant Trust. The ideal candidate will have brought tangible value to the organization over many years and served as a model and inspiration for others. Nominate here: https://lnkd.in/eKcmhUm2

Wollondilly Shire Council is seeking feedback on a planning proposal to amend the Wollondilly Local Environmental Plan 2013. The intent of the Planning Proposal is to amend WLEP 2011 to create a pathway for horticulture to be undertaken on certain rural zoned land across the Shire as either: Exempt development (where a development application is not required), or Via a fast tracked approval process known as Complying Development. More specifically, the proposal intends to amend WLEP 2011 so that on suitable land, horticulture can be undertaken: (i) As exempt development in the RU1 Primary Production Zone (ii) As exempt or complying development in the RU2 Rural Landscape Zone (iii) As exempt or complying development in the RU4 Primary Production Small Lot Zone. Submissions close on the proposed changes close on 14 August 2024. Jeff Mead Sophie Perry Troy Loveday

🌱 Applying Behavior Analysis to Horticulture: Cultivating Growth Beyond the Garden! 🌱 As a behavior analyst, I’ve recently begun exploring how behavioral principles can extend beyond traditional settings and into the world of horticulture. Just as we observe and modify behavior in individuals, we can apply similar strategies to foster healthier plants and sustainable practices. 🌼 Here are a few key insights from my journey in learning how to integrate behavior analysis with horticulture: 1. Reinforcement in Plant Care: Just like in behavior analysis, positive reinforcement can enhance plant growth. Consistent watering, adequate sunlight, and nutrient-rich soil act as reinforcers that promote thriving plants. Understanding what "reinforces" optimal growth is key! 2. Data-Driven Gardening: Regularly tracking plant health and growth patterns allows us to make informed decisions. By analyzing data on factors such as soil moisture levels and pest activity, we can adapt our care strategies for better outcomes. 3. Environmental Behavior: Encouraging sustainable gardening practices involves understanding the behaviors of gardeners and the community. By promoting eco-friendly habits—like composting or using native plants—we can foster a culture of environmental responsibility. 4. Education and Training: Just as we train individuals, we can educate gardeners on best practices. Workshops and community programs can empower others to apply behavioral principles in their gardening efforts, leading to healthier ecosystems. Let’s bridge the gap between behavior analysis and horticulture! I’d love to hear your thoughts on how we can further integrate these fields. What strategies have you found effective in promoting sustainable practices in your gardening or community initiatives? If horticulture isn’t an interest of yours, what are other nontraditional settings you’re passionate about integrating behavior analysis with? #BehaviorAnalysis #Horticulture #SustainableGardening #DataDriven #EnvironmentalBehavior #PlantCare #GrowthMindset

Despite misconceptions, horticulture is seeing a rise in youth interest, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic stimulated general interest in plants and gardening. Education institutions are now taking steps to attract and guide these students towards a career in horticulture. #horticulture #greenhouses #education #farming https://lnkd.in/gi8sBJ64

Happy Earth Day! 🌎🌱 Biology student Christopher Szekeres champions water conservation through his research on gardening ollas, a low-tech self-watering system for plants. An olla is a clay pot that is placed in the soil and filled with water to irrigate plants slowly while conserving as much water as possible. But a traditional terracotta olla can cost anywhere between $15 and $50 depending on the size. “I thought there must be a better solution,” Christopher says. “I found that when you mix concrete with bamboo fibres, it functions almost identically to terracotta, but costs a sixth of the price.” Christopher used baby leaf lettuce as his test subject for his project and envisions a greater plan that could aid sustainable farming. “What I would love to see are large-scale versions of these concrete-bamboo ollas that farmers can stick in the ground and run crops down both sides of,” he says. “They could even incorporate funnels around the outside to catch rainwater at the same time. It’s zero-energy, makes it easier for the farmer, easier for the plants.” With five greenspace courtyards at the Coquitlam Campus and our rooftop garden at the New Westminster Campus, we see the benefit of both water conservation and sustainable plant growth firsthand. Research like Christopher’s shows how small changes can make a big difference. Learn more about our commitment to climate action and environmental sustainability: https://ow.ly/rafa50Rlrfk

American Floral Endowment (AFE)'s next #Grow Pro webinar covers ways to prevent the purpling of young plants under LED grow lights. #Floriculture #Horticulture #LEDlights #PurplePlants #Webinar

What's that in the sky? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Horticulture Hall's new and improved green roof, thanks to Ben Moss, senior in horticulture! Do you know how many square feet of "living roofs," as they're sometimes called, are on Iowa State's campus? Share your guesses in the comments! Read more ⬇️ #WeAreCALS #CALSproud #ISUCALS

The Agriculture and Horticulture School aims to map all the trees, plants, and flowers in the school garden more clearly via Plantsoon. They plan to open the garden to parents and the wider public. "Currently we only have plastic cards with names, but there's no systematic approach. Students cannot easily access additional information. I dream of a system where students can use QR codes to access detailed information about each plant or tree, instantly learning about its location preferences, such as sun or shade, soil choice, and grouping with other species. Visitors to our flower picking garden can also check which flowers are ready to pick via the webshop"; principal Kimara envisions. Read the full article here: https://buff.ly/4clkZXp Would you like to get started in your school garden yourself? Contact us: hello@plantsoon.com

There has long been an intuitive sense that gardens and gardening are both good for us and good for promoting sustainable environmental stewardship. Despite the usual scientific caveat that more research is needed, this sense is supported by an expanding evidence base. "Viewed as socio-ecological systems, gardens are sites of horticultural management that provide an interface between people and the natural cycling of water and nutrients by plants, fungi, bacteria and archaea. Gardens are also places that can promote physical, mental and social health, through opportunities for connection with ourselves and others." http://bit.ly/3RtUHcQ Alongside expanding this evidence base, this report also identifies the need to grow the green collar skills base in horticulture and environmental science. The vital capacity to turn the evidence into action. #horticulture #gardening #sustainability #environmentalhorticulture #health #wellbeing #soilhealth #climatechange #water #people #plants

Hello Horti Graduates, get insights about our profession in this commercial world by registering to this 2hr workshop on “Career in landscaping and horticulture . https://lnkd.in/gEKQ_E_V