Past Workshops and Events
2025-26 Speakers
September 27, 2025
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.
November 1, 2025
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.
February 7, 2026
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.
March 7, 2026
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.
2024-25 Speakers
September 21, 2024
Aaron Strong, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, led a presentation on Hamilton College’s initiatives to address climate change and improve campus sustainability. He discussed plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 through electrification of heating systems, expanded use of electric vehicles, and reforestation efforts, as well as the College’s commitment to 90% landfill diversion. Strong also highlighted how these initiatives align with Hamilton’s educational mission and curriculum.
October 19, 2024
Teri Dunn Chace led an engrossing, narrated hour-long presentation based on her best-selling Timber Press book Seeing Flowers. She explained why flowers look and behave the way they do, how plants are classified, and how flowers attract pollinators and achieve pollination. Chace also shared entertaining stories from the era of plant hunters and showcased breathtaking photographs by Robert Llewellyn, explaining his “image-stacking” technique.
November 16, 2024
Natalie Nannas, associate professor of biology, led a presentation on the history, science, and societal debates surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMOs). She discussed how humans have altered plant and animal genetics through domestication, selective breeding, and, more recently, genetic engineering. Nannas highlighted the development of GMOs for food, medicine, and climate solutions, and addressed common myths and misconceptions while exploring the impact of these technologies on society and the environment.
February 8, 2025
Judith Fetterley, Albany County Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener and former owner of Perennial Wisdom, led a presentation on reducing lawns to support healthier ecosystems and lower maintenance costs. She shared strategies ranging from subtle changes to dramatic transformations, showing how smaller lawns can reduce pollution and restore ecological balance. Fetterley also drew on her experience as a Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus at the University at Albany/SUNY and her bi-monthly newsletter, Out in the Garden, to provide practical guidance for participants.
March 8, 2025
Matt Perry, conservation director at Spring Farm CARES Nature Sanctuary in Clinton, led a multimedia presentation on the variety of bird species across Central New York’s habitats. He highlighted songbirds, wading birds, raptors, and more, sharing their behaviors, conservation statuses, and ways to protect the environments they inhabit. Perry, incoming president of the beaver advocacy group Beavers: Wetlands & Wildlife and president and co-founder of the Utica Peregrine Falcon Project, also discussed his work as a nature writer for Mohawk Valley Living Magazine. Participants gained insight into local bird ecology and practical conservation efforts.
April 26, 2025
Lois Girton, peony expert and president of the American Peony Society, led a presentation on A. Percy Saunders, Professor of Chemistry (1900–1939) and Dean (1909–1926) at Hamilton College, and his remarkable contributions to peony hybridization. She highlighted how Saunders assembled the most extensive collection of peony species able to grow in upstate New York and, over nearly 50 years, made countless crosses to produce new colors, forms, and an extended bloom season. Girton discussed how modern peony introductions often trace their parentage back to Saunders’ work and shared insights from her own expertise. Participants also had the opportunity to learn about her new book, available for purchase at the talk.
2023-24 Speakers
September 16, 2023
Horticulturist Nell Gardner led a presentation on growing, harvesting, and arranging a variety of cut flowers, including dahlias. Drawing on her experience growing specialty cut flowers since 1992 at her farm, Flower Fields, Gardner shared methods for producing high-quality blooms for shops, farmers’ markets, and florists. Raised on farms in Vermont and Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, she offered a fresh, down-to-earth perspective that inspired participants to start their own cutting gardens or incorporate cut-flower varieties into existing landscapes.
October 7, 2023
Glen Valentine, landscape architect and principal of STIMSON Associates’ Cambridge studio, led a presentation on Hamilton College’s landscape master plan. He shared the history of the campus, how its spaces have evolved over the decades, and the principles guiding design recommendations for the future. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience—including award-winning campus and institutional master plans, public parks, and private residences—Valentine discussed his interest in the expressive and sculptural potential of landform and highlighted how environmental conditions shape design. Participants gained insight into the past, present, and future of Hamilton’s landscape planning.
November 11, 2023
Robert Fry led a presentation on his use of reclaimed wood and other recycled materials in sculpture, salvaging wood from storm-damaged or diseased trees to keep it out of landfills. He shared images of his work, explained his creative process, and described how he selects materials. Fry, who studied sculpture at Northern Kentucky University, has created museum installations and private commissions, and his reductive yet sensually executed aesthetic has been featured in numerous exhibitions and publications. Participants learned how texture, color, and line are used to explore the contrasts and similarities of materials in his work.
February 17, 2024
Maggie Reilly, environmental engineer with Wild Ones Mohawk Valley, led a presentation on using native plants to create healthy, biodiverse, and compassionate landscapes. She highlighted how well-designed native gardens enrich our lives while supporting plants, pollinators, wildlife, and humans. Reilly demonstrated practical ways to incorporate native species into traditional garden design, showing how landscapes can respect and sustain all living things.
March 16, 2024
In April 2023, Hamilton College released three action plans—the Climate Action Plan, Land & Forest Stewardship Plan, and Sustainability Action Plan—highlighting its commitment to sustainability. The presentation explored the development of the Land and Forest Stewardship Plan, explained the mechanics of carbon sequestration and the College’s 2030 carbon neutrality goal, and examined how Hamilton’s sustainability initiatives align with education and research efforts. Participants gained insight into the College’s integrated approach to environmental stewardship and sustainability planning.
April 13, 2024
Ernest Williams, professor emeritus of biology and author of The Nature Handbook (2005, Oxford University Press), led a presentation offering a naturalist’s perspective on seasonal changes from May through September in the Mohawk Valley and western Adirondacks. He shared photographs of birds, butterflies, and wildflowers that illustrated patterns of seasonal change and highlighted the beauty and diversity of the region’s natural world.
2022-23 Speakers
April 15, 2023
Peter Guiden, assistant professor of biology at Hamilton College, led a presentation on how changing temperatures, precipitation patterns, and seasonal shifts affect plant stress and productivity. He shared research on invasive plants, changing autumn conditions, and winter climate impacts, highlighting the ways humans alter ecosystems through climate change, habitat loss, and the introduction of non-native species. Guiden, a community ecologist, also discussed involving students in efforts to conserve and restore biodiversity on campus and shared insights from his Ph.D. in integrative biology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
March 25, 2023
Tim Hardiman, owner and executive chef of The Tailor and the Cook in Utica, led a presentation on New York State wines and their role in his restaurant’s cuisine. He shared the story of sourcing local ingredients, promoting seasonal cooking, and supporting the environmental and economic health of the community. Hardiman discussed cool-climate viticulture, the wine varietals of New York, and how wine became both a passion project and a core part of his business mission. Participants learned about the unique quality of New York wines and their integration into creative, locally inspired cuisine.
February 25, 2023
Scott Brinitzer ’85, a landscape architect and member of Hamilton Arboretum’s advisory committee, led a presentation drawing on 34 years of experience in landscape architecture and garden design. He discussed the importance of trees and how culture, public policy, and the environment influence tree selection and planting. Brinitzer shared examples from his Arlington, Virginia–based firm, Scott Brinitzer Design Associates, which has planted hundreds of trees for homeowners, neighborhoods, and county officials. His award-winning work has been recognized by APLD International, Monrovia International Landscape Design, and Arlington Excellence in Design, and featured in Better Homes & Gardens and This Old House.
February 11, 2023
Jason Townsend, farmer, conservation biologist, and Hamilton College Professor of Instruction in Biology, led a presentation on sustainable orchard practices, focusing on apples and grafting techniques. He shared insights from his 500+ tree organic orchard at Kingfisher Farm in Oneida County and discussed New York’s small farm hard cider industry. Townsend also highlighted the wildlife and ecological benefits of organic and sustainable farming, drawing on his experience managing farms across New York, California, and the Dominican Republic. Participants learned about agroecology, sustainable practices, and opportunities for hands-on student involvement at Kingfisher Farm.
November 19, 2022
Thomas Horton, professor of mycorrhizal ecology at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, led a presentation on the fascinating world of fungi. He discussed mushrooms and toadstools, their ecological roles, and the historical use of psilocybin-producing fungi in shamanic and spiritual practices. Horton shared insights into techniques for identifying fungi and the symbiotic relationships between fungi and plants, drawing on his award-winning research and teaching, including recognition from the Mycological Society of America.
October 8, 2022
Ernest Cavallo led a presentation on Galanthus, or snowdrops, sharing insights from a decade of study on cultivars, propagation, and best practices for encouraging blooming and multiplication. Drawing on research and knowledge from the Galanthus community in the UK, he highlighted rare specimens and practical gardening strategies. Cavallo, with 40 years of gardening experience, is a New York Botanical Garden volunteer and member of the NYBG Horticulture Committee, and he shared stories of discovering his passion for snowdrops after a trip to Colesbourne Park in the UK.
September 10, 2022
Christine Froehlich led a presentation on turning challenging landscapes into beautiful, sustainable gardens. She shared strategies for working with damp boggy areas, dry shade, root-ridden soil, deer, and other obstacles, emphasizing the importance of matching plants to the site. Drawing on her experience experimenting with plants in their natural habitats, Froehlich showed how careful observation and creativity can transform seemingly impossible spots. Participants saw examples of her slide lecture highlighting the transformation of difficult sites into thriving gardens.
2021-22 Speakers
April 23, 2022
Teri Dunn Chace led a presentation based on her best-selling Timber Press book How to Eradicate Invasive Plants, exploring weeds and invasive species from the perspective of gardeners, landscapers, and park managers. Geared toward the layperson, she defined “weed,” discussed the scope of the problem, and reviewed low- and non-toxic strategies for managing invasives, saving herbicides as a last resort. The talk included profiles of 10–12 common problem plants in the region. Chace, with over 35 published books including Landscaping for Dummies (2022), drew on her experience living in central New York and her education at Bard College.
March 23, 2022
John Rogers led a presentation on the life history of Eastern Bluebirds and other species that nest in bluebird boxes, as well as nest box management and related topics. He shared his love of the natural world, weaving in lessons about nature, wildflowers, butterflies, other birds, and quotes from renowned naturalists. Rogers has maintained a trail of bluebird nest boxes in central New York for over four decades and has presented programs and workshops to hundreds of organizations across 12 states and 2 Canadian provinces.
February 19, 2022
Jim Chamberlain of the U.S. Forest Service led a presentation on the non-timber forest products industry, including food, medicine, floral, and decorative items. He highlighted the role of understory vegetation in biodiversity management and discussed how many harvesters rely on these plants for income and food security. Chamberlain emphasized sustainable forest management to ensure these valuable resources remain available for future generations.
January 29, 2022
Kerry Ann Mendez, award-winning garden designer, author, and owner of Perennially Yours, led a presentation on creating gardens with perennials, flowering shrubs, and annuals that deliver vibrant color with less maintenance. She highlighted underused, often native plants that are pollinator-friendly and require less water, helping gardeners enjoy more time relaxing while others admire their handiwork. Mendez has shared her expertise with over 40,000 gardeners through lectures, workshops, and classes across 21 states and Canada.
November 20, 2021
Neil Pederson, researcher and ecologist at Harvard Forest, led a presentation on accessing the “memories” of trees through tree-ring analysis, or dendrochronology. He shared how tree rings provide centuries of detailed information about climate, ecology, and competition, and discussed methods for determining when wood was cut for buildings. Pederson also explored the development of the oldest forests in eastern North America and how trees may be resilient enough to withstand future extreme weather events.
2020-21 Speakers
May 8, 2021
Jan Johnsen, professional landscape designer and principal of Johnsen Landscapes & Pools in Westchester County, NY, led a presentation on using natural stone in gardens. Drawing on her training in landscape architecture and professional horticulture, as well as her experience teaching at Columbia University and the New York Botanical Garden, she shared creative and practical ideas for incorporating stone in rock gardens, dry streams, benches, art, paths, and more. Her firm’s work has been featured in Garden Design Magazine, Landscape Architecture, East Coast Home and Design, and This Old House.
April 24, 2021
Scott Hart, a passionate beekeeper for nearly a decade, led a presentation for aspiring and experienced beekeepers. He shared his experience maintaining hives for eight years without treatment, raising his own queens, and selecting genetics to combat varroa mites. Recent testing of his hives showed some of the lowest mite numbers in New York State. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions and learn about Scott’s Adopt-A-Hive Program.
March 20, 2021
Hamilton College Professor of Art Rebecca Murtaugh led a presentation on foraging botanical color from campus flowers, trees, kitchens, and compost piles to create natural dyes for sustainable artmaking. She shared images and discussed artworks by renowned artists who use plant-based palettes, as well as sculptures by Hamilton students from her new Art & the Environment course. Participants learned practical techniques and explored the creative possibilities of eco-friendly materials in art.
February 20, 2021
Hamilton College Professor of Biology Andrea Townsend led a presentation on her research exploring how land-use changes affect the behavior, health, and populations of wild birds. She shared findings from recent work examining how urbanization influences the transmission of West Nile virus and foodborne pathogens in crows. Participants gained insight into the complex interactions between wildlife, human activity, and disease ecology.
January 16, 2021
Steve Bick, a forester, writer, and researcher, led a presentation exploring Hamilton College’s forests. Drawing on his experience as a self-employed forestry consultant and director of the Vermont Forest Business School, he shared insights from stewardship planning, conservation projects, and forest management research. Bick, who has authored eight books and numerous technical articles, discussed his work in Hamilton’s woodlands since 2016 and highlighted the ecological and cultural significance of the forests.
2019-20 Speakers
April 11, 2020
Amy Ziffer, owner of A Shady Lady Garden Design, led a presentation drawing on her decades of experience helping clients in Connecticut and sharing her expertise through lectures and demonstrations since 1998. A former editor at Fine Gardening magazine and a certified Master Gardener, she highlighted cold-climate ornamental gardening in the Northeast. Her garden writing and photography have appeared in Fine Gardening, Horticulture, Yankee magazines, Reader’s Digest books, and other publications.
February 15, 2020
Chris Luley, president and pathologist of Urban Forest Diagnostics in Naples, New York, led a presentation on the many aspects of wood decay fungi. Drawing on more than 35 years of experience in urban forestry and arboriculture, he explored fungi that indicate serious tree problems as well as those used for medicinal purposes or culinary uses. Luley also shared his expertise in urban forest management, tree diagnostics, and decay assessment, using advanced equipment to test trees for internal decay. Note: This lecture qualified for ISA CEU credit.
January 18, 2020
Christine Froehlich, with a long career in horticulture, led a presentation sharing her expertise in garden design and maintenance. Drawing on her training at the New York Botanical Garden and 25 years operating her own design company in Connecticut, she highlighted practical strategies for gardening with existing resources. Participants also learned from her experience publishing in Fine Gardening, American Gardener, Country Gardens, and other magazines, as well as her teaching and leadership work at the Rochester Civic Garden Center. Froehlich continues to work as a garden designer, consultant, and lecturer.
November 16, 2019
John Forti, garden historian, ethnobotanist, and writer, led a presentation on edible landscapes. He explored how to eat locally and enjoy the fruits of one’s own labor, highlighting edible gardens and landscapes that provide healthy alternatives to traditional lawns and hedges.
October 19, 2019
Teri Dunn Chace, a writer and editor with more than 35 published titles, led a presentation on her book Seeing Seeds: A Journey into the World of Seedheads, Pods, and Fruit. She drew on her extensive experience writing and blogging for major gardening and outdoor-living publications, including Horticulture, North American Gardener, Backyard Living, and Birds & Blooms, to explore the fascinating forms, functions, and stories behind seeds and fruit.
2018-19 Speakers
May 4, 2019
Darryl King, a member of the Ikenobo school of ikebana for over 35 years, led a presentation introducing himself and the Ikenobo tradition of Japanese flower arranging. Drawing on 32 years of study in Japan, including international workshops and exhibitions at Ikenobo headquarters in Kyoto, he shared insights into both historic and modern styles. Participants learned about his unique experiences studying under teachers in Kyoto and attending lectures and demonstrations by the Headmaster and senior professors.
April 6, 2019
Karen Bussolini led a presentation offering gardeners simple, intuitive ways to combine plants without relying on a color wheel. She demonstrated how to use color, texture, gesture, light-reflecting qualities, repetition, and other elements, starting with basic combinations and progressing to more complex planting schemes. Participants learned practical strategies to create visually appealing gardens with confidence and ease.
February 16, 2019
Steve Bick, a forester, researcher, and writer, led a presentation on the forests of Hamilton College. Drawing on his work as a forestry consultant, he shared insights into stewardship, education, and applied research. Participants also learned about his 2017 forest carbon inventory and stewardship plan for the College’s woodlands.
January 26, 2019
Fred Breglia, a certified, award-winning arborist with over 26 years in the green industry, led a presentation on pruning, planting, and mulching to promote healthy, resilient plants. Known locally as “Tree Man” from his frequent appearances on WAMC’s Vox Pop radio show, he shared practical strategies to reduce plant problems and maintain vibrant trees and shrubs.
November 17, 2018
Kerry Ann Mendez led a presentation on Gardening Simplified: Exceptional Plants and Design Solutions for Busy and Maturing Gardeners, sharing her approach to low-maintenance flower gardening and landscaping. She highlighted time-saving techniques, workhorse plants, and sustainable practices, drawing on her experience creating gardens featured in Horticulture, Fine Gardening, Garden Gate, and Better Homes and Gardens.
October 20, 2018
Matthew Benson presented insights from his new book Growing Beautiful Food: A Gardener’s Guide to Cultivating Extraordinary Vegetables and Fruit, highlighting the shift toward local and homegrown food and the growing appreciation for visually appealing vegetable gardens. He explored how beauty inspires behavior, showing that growing food that is visually enticing can encourage healthier eating, more sustainable living, and a deeper connection to the food we grow and enjoy.
2017-18 Speakers
April 28, 2018
Marta McDowell, who lives, writes, and gardens in Chatham, New Jersey, led a presentation on her new book about Laura Ingalls Wilder. She shared insights from her garden life with her husband, Kirke Bent, their crested cockatiel Sydney, and local wildlife, and drew on her extensive garden writing for publications including Woman’s Day, Fine Gardening, and The New York Times. Scholars and specialists also know her work from essays on American authors and their horticultural interests in journals such as Hortus and Arnoldia.
March 17, 2018
Kathryn Aalto, landscape designer, historian, lecturer, and nonfiction writer, led a presentation on the natural world of Winnie-the-Pooh. She drew on her bestselling book The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh: A Walk through the Forest that Inspired the Hundred Acre Wood (Timber Press) to explore the places where nature and culture intersect. Over the past 25 years, Aalto has focused on teaching literature about nature and place, designing gardens, and writing about the natural world.
February 17, 2018
Leon Ginenthal, who had been growing roses for 30 years, shared his experience cultivating a wide variety of both new and old roses at Der Rosenmeister Nursery, which he built 12 years ago on a former hilly hayfield. He discussed his specialty GreenTree soil, the rose-selling season from May to July 4th, and his other passions, including bonsai cultivation and raising white pigeons for local events. Visitors also gained insight into his creative use of terraces and repurposed treasures throughout the nursery.
January 27, 2018
Fred Breglia, executive director of the Landis Arboretum and a certified arborist with more than 26 years in the green industry, shared his expertise as a nationally known, award-winning arborist and frequent speaker. Capital District residents knew him as the “Tree Man” from his regular appearances on WAMC’s Vox Pop radio show. Breglia brought insights from his more than 15 years at Landis Arboretum to engage participants in the care and management of trees and shrubs.
November 11, 2017
Harvey Buchite, who had been growing peonies for over 40 years, shared his expertise from Hidden Springs Flower Farm in Spring Grove, Minnesota, where he and his wife cultivated over 600 varieties, including many rare Saunders peonies. Drawing on his research and published articles, he presented new peony insights in a practical and colorful format. Participants enjoyed an unprecedented look at 72 of Arthur Percy Saunders’ historic herbaceous peony creations developed while he was a professor at Hamilton College, as well as a wide range of woody peonies that form the basis of many modern lutea tree peony hybrids.
October 21, 2017
Teri Dunn Chace, a writer and editor with over 35 published titles, led an engrossing, narrated hour-long talk based on her best-selling Seeing Flowers. She explored why flowers look and behave the way they do, how plants are classified into families, and the mechanics of pollination, sharing entertaining stories from the era of plant hunters. Chace also highlighted the work of photographer Robert Llewellyn, explaining his “image-stacking” technique for capturing stunning floral images. She brought insights from her extensive experience writing and editing for major gardening and outdoor-living publications and as the gardening expert for the award-winning Bottom Line Personal newsletter.
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