The Perfect Earth Project, in conjunction with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County and The Peconic Land Trust will hold its second annual Toxin-Free Lawn and Landscape Seminar on March 3, 2016 at the Riverhead Fire Department.
The program will focus on steps landscape professionals and homeowners can take to manage their property without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and highlight the human health and environmental benefits of the toxin-free approach.
Cornell Cooperative Extension will be presenting water-friendly landscaping techniques. Perfect Earth Project’s own lawn expert, Paul Wagner, will give a tutorial on how to brew compost tea and highlight the benefits of soil health to landscapes. Peconic Estuary Program will highlight its Homeowner Rewards Program and the benefits to water quality toxin-free methods have in Peconic Bay.
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation will be available to answer all your contract and posting questions, with additional speakers to be announced. A local landscaper round table discussion will take place to discuss the benefits and challenges of the toxin-free approach.
Schedule
8:30-9 a.m. Sign in and tour of info/merchant booths
9 – 9:30 a.m. Introduction by Perfect Earth Project president Edwina von Gal and Director of Education and Outreach Sean O’Neill.
9:30-10:15 a.m. Paul Wagner, Perfect Earth Project lawn expert, will give a tutorial on how to brew compost tea and highlight the benefits of soil health to landscapes, pest management alternatives, and challenges of managing pests organically.
10:15-11 a.m. – Sherryll Jones, Peconic Estuary Program, will talk about Peconic Estuary Program’s Homeowner Rewards Program Whether you live on the bay or not, you are never far from surface waters. Learn more about the initiatives of the Peconic Estuary Program to reduce pollutants, control runoff, and support the health of our local bays and waterways. Ms. Jones will also present more about their Homeowners Rewards Program and funds available for qualifying home landscape projects.
11-11:30 a.m. Darin Alberry, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, will answer contract and posting question, focusing on requirements of landscapers using minimum-risk pesticides.
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Toxin-free landscape roundtable discussion
12:15 – 1: 00 p.m. Lunch and informational booths
1:00 – 1:45 p.m.Tamson Yeh, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, will discuss water-friendly landscaping and pest management techniques. There will be discussion on the role of vegetative buffers in waterfront landscapes and nitrogen remediation.
1:45 –2:30 p.m. Closing remarks and trade show
Tickets: $25 – Advance registration, or $30 at the door* Click here for online tickets.
*Breakfast and lunch included in ticket price.
About the Perfect Earth Project
Founded in 2013, The Perfect Earth Project (PEP) is a rapidly expanding non-profit organization promoting toxin-free land management around the world. PEP operates from offices in East Hampton, New York. PEP’s goal is to raise consciousness about the dangers of synthetic, toxic, lawn and garden chemicals to humans and the environment, and educate homeowners and professionals in nature-based techniques that provide beautiful, safe results.
Toxin-free lands support biodiversity and carbon capture and are a critical component in climate change resiliency. Toxin-free land management engages decision makers and practitioners in positive environmental learning experiences and inspires action, right in homeowners’ own front yards. PEP sees the landscape industry as a potential “army” of environmental land stewards offering career opportunities that are currently undervalued.
For more information about the Perfect Earth Project click here or call 631.907.9040
