As we start to see the first tentative signs of spring, it’s time to get excited about spring shows. From organization meetings to flower shows, all the way to California Spring Trials, what could put you in a warmer mood than to get planning your travel for the next couple months? For details on all these shows and many more from around the world, check out www.hortcalendar.com. 

If you are in the business of landscaping, you're probably concerned with how to best design landscapes in ways that prevent harm to existing ecosystems and regenerate the environment.

Join Green Matters, an annual symposium sponsored by Brookside Gardens, that concentrates attention on the intersection of horticulture and environmental issues.

Talks are to include:

Biophillic Urbanism: A New Approach for Creating Sustainable Environments—Dr. Timothy Beatley and Teresa Heinz, University of Virginia

Creating Healthy Soils Through Regenerative Gardening Practices—Jeff Lowenfels, author and columnist

Habitat Matters: Restoring Ecosystem Functionality & Biodiversity—Heather Holm, horticulturist, biologist, writer and landscape designer

Lessons In Landscape Design: Integrating Natural Systems into the Built Environment—Kate Hayes, Associate, SCAPE Landscape Architecture DPC

To register, go HERE.

Flowers After Hours–Disco Fever

Enjoy exclusive evening access to the Flower Show, and dance the night away to the tunes of your favorite '70s hits. Sip on wine from the New York Finger Lakes and spirits samples while surrounded by breathtaking garden exhibits. There’s even a ‘70s costume contest—Better pack your bell bottoms!

Butterflies Live!

This fully immersive habitat features native plants that attract butterflies and encourage pollination. It is an interactive and educational exhibit presented by California’s SkyRiver Butterflies. More than 1,000 butterflies of 20-plus domestic and exotic species are included in the attraction. Upon entering the room, guests of all ages have the chance to walk through the pollinator garden and feed the butterflies. This sounds like a great event for kids and adults alike; it’s never too early to instill in them a love of plants and pollinators.

2018 Tree Care Update

Bartlett Tree Experts and PHS are co-sponsoring the 16th Annual Tree Care Update, a seminar for tree professionals and those committed to planting and maintaining trees. This seminar will highlight the latest research, best practices, pests and legal perspectives in arboriculture. In connection with the Flower Show’s theme “Wonders of Water,” the topics of stormwater management and water-related tree issues will be discussed. Also offered are a variety of continuing education credits.

For more information, visit www.theflowershow.com or email phs-info@pennhort.org

Thursday, March 8th includes concurrent workshops covering a variety of topics, including restoring urban habitat, permaculture approaches to managing invasive species and designing with the wild in mind. The day will also include two panel discussions, a talk and demonstration on seeding and propagating native plants, and a tour of the landscape for the UMass Design Building, recently constructed and considered a model of ecological design.

For more information, visit their WEBSITE.

It can sometimes feel like the government doesn’t know quite what we do in the plant business. This is an opportunity to fix that by getting to Washington and letting lawmakers know what matters to the horticulture industry.

Retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and growers will be there to tell Capitol Hill about their businesses and the floral industry’s legislative priorities.

New to the process of lobbying? SAF has sessions to make sure you're well-prepared to go in front of your representative. They will pair you up with a veteran attendee or SAF staff member to show you the ropes. Here’s some of what you’ll be doing at Congressional Action Days:

Issues and Advocacy Training

Speakers: Dr. Joe Bischoff, Cornerstone Government Affairs; Shawn McBurney, SAF; Stephanie Vance, Advocacy Associates

Find out how to talk about the key issues affecting the industry in a way that brings it home to lawmakers and their staff. During this informative session, SAF lobbyists explain the issues they’ll be taking to Capitol Hill. You will also get a hands-on lesson in effective Hill communications from professional lobbyist trainer Stephanie Vance.

Meet Over Lunch

Meet with participants from your state or region over lunch and talk about how best to tell the industry’s story during your congressional appointments.

Congressional Appointments

This is your chance to tell lawmakers about how laws and regulations affect your business. Per SAF: Wear comfy dress shoes, and we’ll give you a wearable flower and take you to Capitol Hill to visit congressional offices as part of your state or regional delegation.

White House Briefing

CAD participants will have the opportunity to attend an exclusive Administration briefing with the President's advisors. Held on March 12, it will be in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in the White House complex, and will replace the Newseum tour. More details coming soon.

For more information and to get involved, go to www.safnow.org or email info@safnow.org

Act fast, the discounted registration ends today!

Learn the latest about invasive pests, biological controls, and other topics at the 9th International Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Symposium in Baltimore, Maryland.

More than 40 concurrent sessions will be presented during the symposium.

Other highlights include: 

• Presentations specifically designed for practitioners of IPM in agriculture and community settings 
• Latest information on Integrated Tick Management 
• Mini-symposia featuring experts addressing hot topics in the IPM field 
• CCA credits available – 25 CCA CEUs in IPM category, 5 CCA CEUs in the professional development category
• Field trips to see IPM in action in downtown Baltimore 
• Exhibits from leading IPM suppliers 
• Post-symposium workshop on evaluation IPM programs

For registration, visit HERE.

The California Spring Trials event is coming up soon. Travel up and down the coast to visit breeders and see what’s new. For all your Spring Trials planning needs, check out GrowerTalks’ newly redesigned webpage at http://www.springtrials.com/ to find information on restaurants, hotels, and which breeder is at what location, along with contact information for each location to schedule appointments (some locations take visitors only by appointment). Be sure to plan your trip early to make sure you get to visit everyone you want to see!