Sustainability

Winter speaker series: native plants and the local landscape with Peter Fuller

February 23, 2013 by Louise Livingstone

Selecting, growing and propagating native plants for property owners

Peter Fuller is the owner of Fuller Native and Rare Plants located just east of Belleville on Airport Pkwy.  Growing up in Northern Ontario, Peter has long been an outdoor enthusiast combining his interest in the natural world with his interests in horticulture.  The nursery propagates perennials, grasses, ferns, shrubs and trees mostly from seed to supply property owners with plant material for gardens, naturalizing projects, shoreline restoration and landscaping.  Whenever possible, local seed sources are used.  The nursery also promotes habitat conservation and provides property owners with services to help identify wild plant material, recognize invasive species and choose appropriate plants for their site.  Gardeners are encouraged to develop propagation skills as a way to enjoy our native flora.

Whether you're looking to enhance your formal gardens or planning a naturalizing project, native plants provide a host of interesting, hardy, ornamental and ecologically sound options for home gardeners and property owners.   Increase the diversity of degraded sites, attract pollinators and birds, add colour and texture to natural areas and include plants in your landscape that are adapted to our local conditions.   The presentation will present a wide variety of recommended plant choices from ground covers to shrubs, from sun to shade, and from wet to dry. It will also look at techniques for propagating your own plants from the abundant possibilities that surround us in Eastern Ontario.www.fullerplants.com

Location

Forest cover: growing and maintaining healthy forest cover in the Quinte Region

February 22, 2013 by Louise Livingstone

rees Ontario and Hastings Stewardship Council present 

7 p.m.: “Forest Cover: Growing and Maintaining Healthy Forest Cover in the Quinte Region”

The Ministry of Natural Resources along with Trees Ontario and OPG will host a tree planting workshop focused on tree planting techniques and incentive programs for landowners.  Attend to learn more about available subsidies, financial incentives and technical tree planting expertise. This is a good chance to have your questions on tree planting answered. 

8 p.m.: Importance of Forest Cover: Perspectives from Perth County where forest cover is less than 10 per cent”

Marvin Smith: Registered Professional Forester from Perth County. It is critically important to maintain farm forests.  They provide products and recreation but most importantly help conserve the soil that we depend on.  Forested land has a huge ability to soak up and store water. Where tree cover is low, water reaches the waterways much quicker and carries soil particles and nutrients with it.  Windbreaks and fence rows may also help in reducing loss of moisture and soil to wind erosion.  Marvin Smith will discuss challenges in maintaining forest cover in Perth County where the current forest cover is only 8-9 %.

Pre registration is encouraged.  You can register online at www.treesontario.ca or by calling 

1-877-646-1193.

Location