Nature’s Best Hope: Tallamy offers advice on how we can restore biodiversity

Doug Tallamy addresses the need for all of us to participate in restoring our natural world. Global insect declines and 3,000,000,000 fewer birds in North American are a bleak reality check about how ineffective our current landscape designs have been at sustaining the plants and animals that sustain us.

To create landscapes that enhance local ecosystems rather than degrade them, we must 1) remove invasives and 2) add native plant communities that sustain food webs, sequester carbon, maintain diverse native been communities and manage our watersheds.

​If we do this in half the area now in lawn, we can create Homegrown National Park, a network of viable habitats throughout the US that will provide vital corridors connecting the natural areas that remain. This approach to conservation empowers everyone to play a significant role in the future of the natural world. It is also enormously satisfying and restorative for those who act.

Doug Tallamy, the T. A. Baker Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, has authored 111 research publications and taught insect related courses for 41 years. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities. His books include Bringing Nature HomeThe Living Landscape, co-authored with Rick Darke, Nature’s Best Hope, a New York Time’s bestseller and The Nature of Oaks, a winner of the American Horticultural Society’s 2022 book award. In 2021 he co-founded Homegrown National Park with Michelle Alfandari. His awards include recognition from The Garden Writer’s Association, Audubon, The National Wildlife Federation, Allegheny College, Ecoforesters, The Garden Club of America and The American Horticultural association.

Sunday, February 26
3 pm – Author signing & Wine Reception
4 pm – Tallamy’s Chat 

Mt Vernon Unitarian Church, Main Building
1909 Windmill Lane
Alexandria, VA 22307

Tickets are $25. Other options include donations to Friends of Hollin Hills.

Buy tickets for the event HERE

https://www.friendsofhollinhills.org/store/p31/Nature%E2%80%99s_Best_Hope%3A_Tallamy_offers_advice_on_how_we_can_restore_biodiversity.html

Gardener- Architect of the Capitol

An excellent opportunity just came across my desk and I had to share! The Architect of the Capitol is hiring a gardener! You might be asking yourself, well what does this mean? Well, The Capitol Grounds and Arboretum is responsible for preserving and maintaining acres of landscape across Capitol Hill including plantings and infrastructure. The Gardener performs gardening tasks in support of the overall efficiency and effectiveness in the maintenance of the Capitol Grounds. So that means you, yes you!, could be helping preserve the beauty of our nation’s capitol’s most iconic government areas.

If this interests you, please don’t hesitate to apply! The position posting closes on February 10th!

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/700653000?utm_name=

Continue reading Gardener- Architect of the Capitol

Green and Grounds Landscape Internships- Congressional Country Club

Don’t stress about finding the perfect opportunity for your summer 2023 internship… I’ve got the perfect one for your right here! The Congressional Country Club, located in Potomac, MD, is looking for Green and Grounds Landscape interns for their 2023 summer season! They’re known to host some of the biggest events in golf through their continued partnership with the PGA  of America! As an intern with the Congressional Country Club, you’ll have the opportunity to tend to the clubhouse grounds that boast famous members and attendees like President Obama.

If you’re interested in this position please email your resume to either:
Dave Burdette, Clubhouse Grounds Superintendent Daveb@ccclub.org
or
Cody Jennings, Assistant Clubhouse Grounds Superintendent Cjennings@ccclub.org

The employment is flexible, but spaces are limited, so make sure to apply as soon as possible!

CCC Horticulture Internship 2023

Continue reading Green and Grounds Landscape Internships- Congressional Country Club

First Club Meeting of the Spring Semester

Hello Horticulture Enthusiasts!

         We sure did miss you over the winter break! We hope that everybody had a safe and happy holiday season and that you’re back and ready to get your hands dirty!
Our first Horticulture Club meeting of the Spring 2023 semester is going to be on
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 2ND FROM 4 TO 6 PM IN LS 102!!!!!
    In this meeting, we will be discussing the upcoming events for the semester including the Career Fair in March, the Plant Sale and Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival in April, the end of the semester field trip in May, possible spring break plans, guest lecturers, and other meetings and events!
There will be a small selection of snacks and drinks available and we hope to see you there!

Community College Scholarship- Shenandoah District VFGC

Are you struggling to pay for your horticulture classes? FAFSA didn’t cover all of your expenses? Well, we don’t want you to worry when there are options like the Shenandoah District Community College Scholarship from the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs! This scholarship offers financial aid ($1000) to a full-time rising second-year student of an accredited Community College in the Shenandoah District of Virginia. In order to qualify for the scholarship, your career goals must align with garden-related objectives, and your degree must be in a garden-related field such as horticulture, forestry, environmental science, botany, and landscaping.

The deadline to apply is March 1st. Applications must be completed and received prior to this date.

Shen District Scholarship Guide

SDS Application

Continue reading Community College Scholarship- Shenandoah District VFGC

Summer 2023 Horticulture Internship- Moore Farms Botanical Garden

Are you looking to get out of Northern Virginia? Looking to fulfill your cooperative education requirement? With this position, you can kill two birds with one stone! Moore Farms Botanical Garden located in Lake City, South Carolina, is excited to announce its 2023 Summer Horticulture Internship Opportunity! You could spend 3 months at a spectacular public garden reinforcing your learning in areas such as landscape design, installation and maintenance, integrated pest management, propagation, and turf management! The deadline to apply is March 5th! So don’t dawdle and miss out on this amazing out-of-state opportunity!

Horticulture Intern Flyer 2023

Continue reading Summer 2023 Horticulture Internship- Moore Farms Botanical Garden

Summer Internship- Oak Spring Garden Foundation

Are you still looking for something to help you satisfy your Cooperative Education requirement? Well, look no further than Oak Spring Garden Foundation! A favorite of the NOVA Horticulture Professors for various reasons, this historical garden located in Upperville, is looking to place interns in multiple teams! So if you’re looking for an internship opportunity in Communication, Arboriculture, Conservation and Landscape (ACL), Biodiversity Management, Gardens, Biocultural Conservation Farming, Education and Outreach, or Culinary and Hospitality, don’t hesitate to apply! Opportunities are available from May-early June through August-early September, depending on the availability of the successful applicants.

2023 INTERN OPPORTUNITIES – 1.10.23 v3

Continue reading Summer Internship- Oak Spring Garden Foundation

IMP Technician- Environmental Enhancements

Did you fall in love with IPM during HRT 207 Plant Pest Management? Or are you currently in the class and getting the itch to start taking care of some creepy crawlies? Environmental Enhancements, located in Sterling, is looking to hire TWO! that’s right! TWO IPM Technicians! So if you’re looking to get your start in the industry, or you’re still looking for a position to fulfill your cooperative education requirement, look no further!

EE – IPM Technician

Continue reading IMP Technician- Environmental Enhancements

Multiple Positions- Legacy Farms

Are you looking to make a difference in your position? are you neurodiverse? If you are, take a look at these positions that came in from Legacy Farms located outside of Leesburg, VA.
Legacy Farms is a 501(c)3 non-profit with gardens on the grounds of Temple Hall Farm Regional Park and Fabbioli Cellars, just outside of  Leesburg. Our neurodiverse team of staff, mentors, and apprentices grow and deliver herbs, flowers, and vegetables to area businesses, CSA customers, and food pantries. The nonprofit offers a vocational training program for neurodivergent individuals ages 16 and up, focused on mentoring job skills, increased self-awareness, and personal development. Legacy Farms is launching a profit-focused flower business based on its two-year track record of delivering a robust floral CSA called Legacy Blooms. The objective of this floral business, over time, will be to generate revenue sufficient to self-fund the nonprofit’s vocational training programs and goals for supporting neurodiversity.

Legacy Farms – Assistant Farm Program Manager Job Description – Part-time – 2023

Legacy Farms – Farmer_Gardener Job Description – Part-time – 2023

Legacy Farms – Mentor Job Description 2023

3 – Legacy Farms – Bouquet Production Assistant Job Description – 2023

 

Horticulture Internship- Washington National Cathedral

Did you fall in love with the beauty of the Washington National Cathedral Grounds during Plant Composition or History of Garden Design? Well, then you’re in luck! The Washington National Cathedral is looking to hire 3! that’s right 3! Horticulture Interns for the Summer of 2023! If you’re interested in this position, please make sure you get your application in before the deadline of March 31st 2023! These positions go fast, so if you’re still looking for something to satisfy your Cooperative Education Credits, don’t hesitate!

Hort Internship WNC 2023

Continue reading Horticulture Internship- Washington National Cathedral