Upcoming Educational Events
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 - 9:00am
Place: French Hall, UMass Amherst
This introduction to inland wetland plant identification begins with an overview of the major characteristics of woody and non-woody vegetation used for identification in most plant keys. Guided exercises will be used in a classroom/ laboratory setting to practice keying out plant specimens collected from local wetland sources. An afternoon field trip to a local wetland will allow opportunity to practice identification skills in a natural setting. Related topics such as plant adaptations to wetland hydrology and the concept of “hydrophytic” vegetation will also be discussed.
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 29, 2013 - 9:00am
Place: French Hall, UMass Amherst
Participants will be introduced to some of the fundamental characteristics of soils that are used to identify hydric (wetland) soils in the field — including soil texture, color, horizon type and redoximorphic features. The afternoon will include a field trip to a local wetland where participants will examine plants and soils along a wetland/nonwetland gradient. Plant communities will be used to locate transitional wetland-upland areas in the landscape for further investigation of their soil characteristics. Participants should have taken Part 1 of this series or be able to identify wetland vegetation (by permission of instructor).
Date/Time: Tuesday, June 4, 2013 - 5:00pm
Place: College of the Holy Cross
To maintain landscapes sustainably, regular monitoring and using IPM practices is essential. Join Extension specialists for a diagnostic walkabout through the landscape.
Date/Time: Thursday, June 6, 2013 - 5:00pm
Place: Stockbridge Hall - UMass Amherst
To maintain landscapes sustainably, regular monitoring and use of IPM practices is essential. Join Extension specialists for a diagnostic walkabout through the landscape.
Date/Time: Tuesday, June 11, 2013 - 9:00am
Place: DoubleTree Hotel
This session will help participants develop and implement an invasive plant management program. Management tips and strategies will be discussed including herbicide selection and timing, non-chemical strategies and ways to avoid common program pitfalls.
This workshop is Part B of the 2013 Invasive Plant Certification Program.
Date/Time: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 - 8:00am
Place: Agricultural Engineering Building, Third Floor
UMass Turf Entomologist Pat Vittum will lead this half-day session focusing on the identification of turf insect pests common in the Northeast. Insect categories covered will include white grubs, weevils, chinchbugs & billbugs, caterpillars, and crane flies. Lecture material will be coupled with hands-on examination of specimens, and IPM considerations such as threshold levels will be highlighted.
Date/Time: Thursday, July 25, 2013 - 8:30am
Place: Tower Hill Botanic Garden
The Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association and the Massachusetts Flower Growers Association will again hold their joint Summer Field Day in 2013. The day will offer horticultural education workshops by well known researchers and educators and a trade show.
Date/Time: Thursday, August 1, 2013 - 8:00am
Place: UMass Joseph Troll Turf Research Center
Research Field Day is our turf 'open house', when we invite turf managers and their associates to visit the UMass Joseph Troll Turf Research Center. Participants will have the opportunity to meet and speak with UMass Turf Program staff and to view projects underway.
Date/Time: Wednesday, September 25, 2013 - 4:00pm
Place: Essex Agricultural and Technical High School
To maintain landscapes sustainably, regular monitoring and using IPM practices is essential. Join Extension specialists for a diagnostic walkabout through the landscape.