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News from Garfield Farm |
CAMPTON HILLS, IL Garfield Farm Museum’s
annual Prairie, Woodlands, and Wetlands Management Seminar will be held
on Saturday, February 20 from 8 am - 4:30pm. This annual seminar is an
in depth introduction to native plants and a thorough refresher course
for the intermediate restorationist and backyard gardener. Although
basic techniques remain stable, new details and methods in this
constantly evolving field of ecological restoration are also challenged
by an ever growing list of new invasive species threatening native
populations.
Museum biologist, Jerome Johnson will begin the
seminar with methods of research to determine the environmental
conditions before the land was settled and subsequently developed. The
following session featuring side by side photos of similar species of
native plants helps both the novice and experienced plant enthusiast
sharpen their plant identification skills.
Pat Hollingsworth, retail manager of Natural
Gardens, a native plant and perennial ornamental nursery in St.Charles,
IL will discuss using native plants for the home landscape. Her
well-honed design sense and passion for horticulture were developed
over 18 years as a designer for The Planter’s Palette in
Winfield, IL.
After lunch, Conner Shaw who founded
Possibility Place Nursery near Monee, IL will discuss the use of native
trees. All the native trees Shaw sells are grown from seed collected
from the wild, producing specimens that are well prepared for
transplanting. His method produces a high number of roots that gives
each tree a better chance for survival. Shaw’s knowledge of what
conditions will cause native trees and shrubs to thrive makes this
presentation valuable to all property owners
John Engstrom, the museum’s
natural areas manager and Johnson will follow up with a discussion on
different management methods used in small lots, woodlands, old fields,
and wetlands. Identifying invasive plants and how to control them will
be examined. Engstrom’s specialty in minimal and safe herbicide
use complements both his and Johnson‚s knowledge of controlled
burns and mechanical removal of aggressive plants of disturbance.
Engstrom will add his comments on the collection of seed for
propagation.
With the current economic conditions and a
critical need to re-discover the true and lasting values that can
improve life for the long run has been an underlying goal of the
preservation of and education offered by Garfield Farm Museum. Whether
it is using plants best suited for ones environs and economics,
preserving centuries of plant and animal breeding, or demonstrating the
high standards of hard work that previous generations endured and
embraced for the success of America, Garfield Farm Museum is such a
place for discovery. The museum endeavors to be an anchor that allows
necessary new ideas and technologies to flourish with out sacrificing
America‚s existing and historic strengths. Hands-on experience
can be gained through Garfield Farm Museum’s prairie volunteer
program where participants are welcome to assist with controlled burns,
brush removal, seed collecting and planting throughout the year.
There is a $50 fee for the seminar and lunch to
be held at Garfield Farm Museum, five miles west of Geneva, IL off IL
Rt. 38 on Garfield Road. Handouts will be provided but participants
should come prepared to take notes. Reservations can be made by calling
(630) 584-8485 or email info@garfieldfarm.org. Garfield Farm Museum is
a 370 acre historically intact former 1840s prairie farmstead and
teamster inn being restored by donors and volunteers from 37 states as
an 1840s working farm museum.