Programs
and Workshops
I offer lectures and workshops
on topics relating to themes of “Naturally Beautiful Landscapes” and
“Nature and Human Nature.” If you belong to an organization that would be
interested in one of my unique presentations, or would like to be informed of
upcoming events, please contact me at dsmith@newview.org
or 978-835-5568.
Because
I have a deep love and concern for our natural environment, I communicate that
passion to my audiences. My approach is unique, in that I offer participants a
positive vision of how they can help protect the environment and their families
through enlightened land care practices – and also have beautiful gardens.
Using colorful PowerPoint presentations, discussion, and helpful handouts, I
offer inspiration and resources to empower people to update their landscape
practices. I endeavor to help everyone realize that their actions, no matter how
small, can contribute to restoring the ecological balance of nature.
Upcoming Events
"Rain
Gardens: Beautiful Water-Saving Designs," Arnold
Arboretum,
Thursdays, April 5 and 12, 2007, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Cosponsored with the New
England Wildflower Society.
" Would you like to help protect our precious water resources, while at
the same time creating lush, beautiful gardens that attract birds and
butterflies? Rain gardens take advantage of our natural abundance of
rainfall rather than wasting it as runoff—using rainwater flowing off
your roof, driveway, or lawn. Rain gardens save you watering time and
money, and may even solve drainage problems such as damp basements, icy
walkways, or soggy lawns. In this two-session course we will focus on
concepts, designs, and use of native plantings in rain gardens, using
case studies for inspiration. The second session covers practical
details for planning and designing your own rain garden."
Past
Events
"Creative Residential-Scale Rain Gardens," NOFA Winter Conference, Jan. 20, 2007.
"Naturally Beautiful Gardens: Adventures in Landscape Ecology," for the Acton Garden Club, February 7, 2006.
"Rain Gardens: Beautiful Water-Saving Designs," Lincoln Garden Club, 2006.
"Rain Gardens: Beautiful Water-Saving Designs," Garden in the Woods, Framingham, MA, Thursdays, March 16 and 23, 2006, 7–9 p.m. Cosponsored with the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University.
"Colorful Plants that Attract Birds," for the Harvard Garden Club, April 24, 2006.
"Naturally
Healthy Gardens" for the Green Forum and Fair sponsored by
the Green Sanctuary initiative at the First Parish Church of Stow and Acton.
October, 2004. (Delivered with Mary Whitney, a land use planner)
"Naturally
Beautiful Gardens: Adventures in Landscape Ecology,"
sponsored by the Carlisle Pesticide Awareness Program, in association with
the Carlisle Board of Health and the First Religious Society Environmental
Action Committee, November, 2004. (Delivered with Mary Whitney, a land use
planner):
"Naturally Beautiful Lawns & Gardens: Adventures in Landscape Ecology," lecture and workshop sponsored by the Maynard Conservation Commission and the Maynard Garden Club, May, 2005
"Reinventing Wildlife Habitat," slide lecture offered at the Northeast Organic Farmers Association (NOFA) conference in August, 2005.
"Naturally Beautiful Gardens: Adventures in Landscape Ecology," at the Whole Health Expo, Boxborough, MA, October, 2005.
Programs
I can offer:
Naturally Beautiful Gardens: Adventures in Landscape Ecology
Naturally Healthy Landscapes: Practical Wisdom
Water-Wise Landscapes: Beautiful, Earth Friendly, and Easy Care
Rain Gardens:
Beautiful Water-Saving Designs
Creating Wildlife Habitat: Rebuilding the Web of Life
Sanctuary Gardens: Create Your Own Oasis of Peace
Nature and Human Nature: How We Can Enhance Our Connection with Nature
Organic
Lawns and Lawn Alternatives
Invasive Plants: Understanding, Removing, and Replacing Them
Gardening for Life: Nature and gardening as a springboard for discussion of the meaning of our lives -- experiential workshop format; particularly geared toward elders
My training and experience
includes:
Adult
education (M.Ed. in Instructional Design; M.A. in Education)
Landscape
design and horticulture certificate programs at the New England School of
Gardening (Clark University/Tower Hill Botanical Garden) and New England
Wildflower Society’s Certificate Program in Native Plants/ Ecological
Gardening
Accredited
as an Organic Land Care Professional by the Northeast Organic Farming
Association (NOFA)
Fifteen
years in the corporate environment in publishing and training program design –
managing multiple projects, conducting needs assessments, and developing
training and organizational change programs
A
lifetime as a gardener and nature lover
Recent publicity
The
Carlisle lecture on “Naturally Beautiful Landscapes” was written up in the
Carlisle Mosquito, http://www.carlislemosquito.org/2004/2004-12-10/pages/fea08.html,
as well as mentioned in a Globe article on pesticides and lawn care.
My
work as an ecological landscape designer was featured in the Acton Beacon,
May 15, 2003, in Jill Pontius’ column entitled “Nature’s Way.”
Recent
Publications
An
essay entitled “Life on the Edge,” about nature’s tenacity and
vulnerability, was published in Spirit of Change, Sept.-Oct. 2003 issue.
An
article entitled “Reinventing Habitat: Designing a landscape to satisfy birds,
butterflies, earthworms – and humans” appeared in the March, 2004 issue of Sanctuary
Magazine published by the Massachusetts Audubon Society.
An
essay entitled “A Day Full of Grace,” about nature’s power to renew our
spirits, was published in Spirit of Change, Jan.-Feb. 2005 issue.
Affiliations and Volunteer Activities
New
England Wildflower Society: member of the Educational Committee
NOFA
Organic Land Care Program: evaluation consultant
The
Underground, business-focused social networking organization
for landscape professionals: founding member of the Steering Committee
Worcester County Horticultural Society: member
Massachusetts Audubon Society: member
Recent publications:
Gardens
for Life Dori
Smith, M.Ed.
978.835.5568 in Acton
dsmith@newview.org
www.gardensforlife.net