Sustainability of Horticultural Practices

Harrogate and RHS Garden Harlow Carr, 19 to 21 April 2006
A topical meeting for botanic and heritage gardens at a time of increasing debate and legislation on environmental issues. The conference is being organised with the support of the Royal Horticultural Society and will include a visit to RHS garden Harlow Carr.

Presentations

Introduction & welcome

Chaired by Simon Thornton-Wood, Director of Science & Learning, RHS Matthew Jebb, PlantNetwork Chairman; & National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin Matthew Wilson, Curator, RHS Harlow Carr

Sustainability

Rebecca Matthews Joyce, RHS Environmental Policy Adviser

How Green is my Zoo? Chester Zoo and Environmental Management System ISO 14001

John Winward & Ray Morrison, Chester Zoo

Harrogate approach to gaining ISO 14001 accreditation

Deborah Wright, Parks Development Manager, Harrogate Council

Implementing ISO 14001 at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

David Barnes, RBG Kew

Carbon-conscious building design

Johnny Winter, Edward Cullinan Architects

Alternative energy for public gardens

Peter Harper, Centre for Alternative Technology

It's all PANTS: Eden's approach to threading sustainability through operations

Tony Kendle, Eden Project

Report on RHS/NCCPG conference

Simon Thornton Wood, RHS

Don't add water - dry gardens and drought-tolerant plants

Matthew Wilson, RHS Harlow Carr

Water Framework Directive

Neil Tytler, Foundation for Water Research

Organic Soil Management

Sally Smithy, Garden Organic

Developing more sustainable horticultural planting

Prof James Hitchmough, Department of Landscape, University of Sheffield

Landlife and Creative conservation

Richard Scott, Landlife

Irrigation, plant growth and efficient use of water

Chris Atkinson, East Malling Water Centre

Potential for reduced watering in ornamental plants

Tijana Blanusa, RHS Fellow and University of Reading

Green roofs and rain gardens: water management in gardens and public landscapes

Nigel Dunnett, Department of Landscape, University of Sheffield

Visit to Harewood House Gardens

Jim Hatfield, Senior Gardener

Visit to Valley Garden

Deb Wright, Sue and Alan

Visit to RHS Garden Harlow Carr

Paul Griffiths, Nicola Wright, Alison, Sarah and James Hitchmough

Composting regulations and bioaerosols

Toni Gladding, Integrated Waste Systems, Open University

Peat alternatives - trials and examples

Paul Alexander, RHS Garden Wisley David Hide, RHS Garden Wisley Sally Pettit, Cambridge University Botanic Garden

Biomaterials

Erica Russell, Nomad

Science of composting (part 1)

Edward Stentiford, University of Leeds

Science of composting (part 2)

Paul Alexander, RHS Garden Wisley

Useful links

learningforsustainability.net

Social learning is increasingly cited as an essential process for addressing the complexity and uncertainty inherent in many sustainability issues, for developing understanding between the different perspectives involved, and for supporting collective action. This guide to on-line resources (formerly NRM-changelinks) includes a number of topic areas that are relevant to social learning. A short introduction to each section outlines the nature of the resource links provided, and provides pointers to other topic areas which are closely related in use. These can be accessed through the drop-down menu on the left...