University of Wisconsin - Extension

The 11th Annual Native Landscaping Conference of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum will be Saturday, March 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Alliant Center in Madison. It is geared to the general public as well as developers, public and school officials, planners and engineers. Conference participants will learn to create sustainable native landscape plans that improve water quality and methods for developing larger tracts of land in an environmentally sound manner.

The keynote speaker is Fred Rozumalski, an award-winning landscape architect from Minneapolis and author of Landscaping for Wildlife and Water Quality. Rozumalski will show participants how aesthetically pleasing, yet ecologically sound, restoration projects can be used to manage storm water in neighborhoods and to protect lakeshores and wetlands.

A session is offered for land developers, planners, and land managers who are interested in using native plants and sustainable design solutions as part of the overall project. Tracks include: eco-developer, eco-citizens, eco-learning (for educators), restoration for beginners, ecosystems (woodlands, wetlands, grasslands) and schoolyard restoration. In the eco-developer track there will be presentations on land use, development and roadside management. In the eco-citizens track presentations will include rain gardening, backyard habitat and yard management: wastes, run-off yard chemicals, composting and soil stabilization.

There is a registration fee of $25 per person. For more information or to receive a flyer with registration information, contact the UW-Arboretum at 608-263-7888.