Workshops & Events

Join Assistant Professor of Biology Ariel Kahrl for a fascinating walk through Hamilton’s glens to discover local amphibians and learn about their life cycles, calls, and behaviors. She’ll highlight species that are easy to hear but hard to see, sharing tips for appreciating and supporting amphibians in your own backyard. Professor Kahrl will also discuss how climate change and environmental contaminants are affecting populations globally, and introduce current research from her lab at Hamilton College studying the impact of these factors on local amphibian reproduction.

Maggie Reilly of Wild Ones Mohawk Valley returned with a sequel to The Power of Compassionate Landscape, inspiring participants to transform small suburban yards into welcoming, restorative spaces that foster a deeper connection with nature. She discussed the importance of developing a reciprocal relationship with the land by creating landscapes that support biodiversity. Maggie shared practical ideas for designing outdoor spaces with a sense of enclosure, distinct destination areas, focal points, and functional rooms, all surrounded by ecological native plant communities. Through examples such as hedgerows, foundation plantings, and pollinator gardens, she highlighted her favorite plant combinations and showed how compassionate landscapes can help heal the land, build community, and celebrate native gardening.

Tom Horton offered a fresh perspective on forest ecology, starting with the fungi beneath the forest floor—the mycorrhizal networks—and exploring how they connect to the trees above. He highlighted how these underground systems consist of many fungal species with different life histories and selective partnerships. Rather than forming a single, seamless network linking all trees, these fungi are patchily distributed, making the transfer of resources through forests far more complex—and less free-flowing—than popular accounts suggest. Participants gained insight into the hidden dynamics of forests and the vital role fungi play in supporting tree health and forest resilience.

Landscape designer Christine Froehlich led an inspiring presentation on how to blend native plants into new or existing gardens. She shared practical strategies for attracting pollinators, managing invasive species, and balancing cultivated and natural areas for a beautiful, resilient landscape. Froehlich specializes in creating sustainable, ecologically rich designs that promote biodiversity while maintaining visual harmony in home gardens and larger landscapes.

Landis Arboretum executive director and ISA-certified arborist Fred “Tree Man” Breglia led an engaging session on proper pruning techniques for trees and shrubs. He shared the latest best practices in pruning, planting, and mulching to keep plants healthy and resilient. The talk included time for questions.

Breglia has worked in the green industry for more than 25 years and is a frequent speaker, writer, and guest on WAMC’s Vox Pop radio show.