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Mad Gardeners

Welcome!

Who We Are

Mad Gardeners, Inc. is an organization of professional horticulturists and serious home gardeners. The Corporation is formed for charitable, scientific, and education purposes, including to promote and foster the appreciation and understanding of horticulture, botany, and related environmental and ecological concerns; to conduct educational programs and forums; to promote public education, the development of students, and the improvement of professional skill in the field; to provide support to schools, arboreta and other organizations qualified under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and conduct any other activities and perform any and all acts which may be necessary, useful, suitable, or proper for the furtherance of the foregoing purposes.

 

Science Day 2024

April 12, 2024 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

at Housatonic Valley Regional High School

Speakers include:

Kyle Testerman, BS (UConn), MS (CCSU) - Wildlife Specialist, DEEP
Kyle will share his background, wildlife experiences and expertise on fur bearing animals - fishers, bears and more.

Alison Robey, PhD Candidate (Yale) - Environmental Science and Climate Change
One of the most pressing goals of ecology today is accurately predicting and effectively managing the impacts of changing temperatures on populations of plants and animals.Alison will talk about how ecologists use tools from mathematics, computer science, and environmental studies to create models that help us predict and manage these risks, then present some of her own results showing how we can use our knowledge about organism physiology and population dynamics to predict how heatwaves affect extinction risks.

Dr. Charles Canham, PhD (Cornell), Cary Institute - Ecology and Management of Temperate Forests
Drawing from his recent book Forests Adrift, Charles Canham will sketch both the ecological legacies and modern currents that will shape the future of eastern forests. It is not possible to understand where our forests are headed without accounting for the legacies of centuries of changes in land use and forest management. And while the impacts of climate change rightly dominate headlines, the effects on eastern forests will take place in the context of the many other currents that will determine the future distribution and abundance of eastern tree species. Those include both the intrinsic process of forest succession, and many human threats, including air pollution, invasive species, and the ever-expanding list of introduced forest pests and pathogens.

Wendy Miller, BS (Penn State) Sharon Audubon - Birds of Prey
Various species of live birds of prey will accompany Sharon Audubon Center Staff to demonstrate their beauty, power and connection with the natural world. Participants will learn about the amazing adaptations of these impressive birds and will understand why raptors and their environment should continue to be protected and respected. All of the resident education birds are non-releasable due to human interference and are ambassadors of their species, traveling with SAC staff to educate people about the importance of these predators.

Brian Saccardi, PhD (UMass) - Environmental Scientist, University of Illinois
Brian will give a presentation that starts with what it is like to be a researcher in environmental science and then proceed into his own research. The research he will talk about will focus on stream carbon and how his research team developed reactive transport models to predict how climate change will affect the carbon cycle.

Emily Peters - Engineer, Pratt and Whitney
Emily will discuss her job from two different perspectives. First she will present what inspired her to go into engineering and the various paths one can choose. The World of Engineering calls all curious minds to learn about the variety of engineering disciplines and roles that drive change and inspire a better tomorrow. Second, Emily will describe her role as a test engineer. She describes it as MythBusters at work where one learns how to use the scientific method and validate designs of new products! Development test engineering at Pratt & Whitney conducts many certification tests to approve engines for flight. These tests verify the products are safe and reliable for the flying public.

There is room for a limited number of Mad Gardeners to attend. The fee of $25 includes lunch. If you are interested in attending, contact Dana Slaughter at dana99usa@gmail.com or 860-927-0081 no later than April 1.

Download the flyer through this link.

 

Upcoming Meetings - Latest Bulletin

Members can see the full bulletin with photos and links on the members page.

NEWSLETTERS, MEMBERSHIP, WEBSITE:

 

To Join Mad Gardeners: Membership renewal forms are mailed to members every fall. Membership applications for new members are available 1) on-line on our website, 2) by email from moebius122@optonline.net, or 3) by sending a request for an application with a stamped self-addressed business-sized envelope to the membership coordinator, Margaret Moebius, 122 Ridge Road, Clinton Corners, NY 12514-2549. People requesting membership applications after 9/1/2023 will receive the 2024 membership application when it is ready.

Donations: Mad Gardeners members have always been generous when we have been in need of money. Dues cover our basic expenses. Please continue your generosity. Your tax-deductible donations have allowed us to cover increased costs, organize educational programs, provide student scholarships and launch the Mile-a-Minute Control Project. Thank you!

 

Early Career Award for Horticulturists

The Early Career Award has been developed for professionals to further develop their desire to become more knowledgeable in their field. The purpose of this award is to provide a platform for new horticulturists to advance their work and reputation.

This opportunity is available to established professional gardeners, growers, landscape designers within the first 2 to 4 years of their current position to attend classes or meetings. It may also be awarded to qualifying second-year Horticultural and Environmental Science College students.

A one-time stipend not to exceed $2,000.00 will be offered.

Each participant will be required to submit details of the costs of the proposed program and an expanded 500-word letter detailing and explaining the entire learning program and how the learning opportunity will benefit them and the local community.

The applications will be judged by the Scholarship committee based on the following criteria:
• Applicants must be a member of Mad Gardeners and/or other professional Horticultural Organization.
• Scholarly Content: Description of the desired program is original, relevant, and presented clearly.
• Writing is concise, informative and effectively conveys knowledge. The story about the applicant's need is clear.
• Importance to Horticulture: The value and contribution to the horticultural science profession is substantiated.

Application may be submitted at any time.

For questions or to submit your application, please contact Robert Gambino, Chairman, Mad Gardeners' Scholarship Committee, 4 Old Mill Road, New Milford, CT 06776 • Telephone: 860 354-3319

The award will be announced as needed.

 

MEMBERS

JOIN / RENEW Mad Gardeners Membership—Download the Mad Gardeners Membership Application HERE. Visit the About Us page to learn about the benefits of joining.

Do not hesitate to recommend us to anyone who might benefit from the networking and educational opportunities we provide. As always, any donation sent in with your membership is greatly appreciated!

OUR WEBSITE—Our website is now open to the public, so it is much easier for our members to spread the word about our organization. Feel free to share the website link with prospective members. The Members section of the site remains private, however, and requires use of our password.

AREA EVENTS—Noteworthy events and announcements are listed. It is a frequently updated resource for garden-related events in the area, and is a page we recommend you visit regularly. Events open only to MG members will be listed in the Members section of the site and accessible by password.

HOW TO SHARE NEWS & EVENTS—How to spread the word about your non-profit organization’s event through us: We are an informal group. Our 3 mailed newsletters are published fall, winter and spring.

Some events are included in the newsletter, but all are forwarded to our webmaster for possible posting. Note: notices emailed to members are restricted to business-related information and meeting reminders, with other events occasionally tacked on. They are sent infrequently so we recommend that you regularly check this website for area news and events.

 

2021 Virtual Lecture:

Thank you to Douglas Tallamy for his talk "Plant It And They Will Come" and thank you to all who attended! The video is posted below.

Douglas Tallamy: Plant It And They Will Come
sponsored by Mad Gardeners

a non-profit organization of professional and non-professional gardeners dedicated to promoting "appreciation and cultivation of plants, and the creation, conservation and maintenance of gardens and suitable habitats for such plants through educational programs and meetings.

LINKS—Here are some links from Douglas Tallamy's talk:
• Homegrown National Park—https://homegrownnationalpark.org/
• Native Plant Finder—https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/

 

Contact Mad Gardeners

Email  Email:   MadGardener@MadGardeners.org

mail  Mailing Address:   PO Box 146, Sherman, CT 06784-0146

Copyright © 2021  Mad Gardeners. All rights reserved.