Upcoming Create Abundant Landscapes classes
Fred Meyer
Greetings!
When you have time, I would greatly appreciate it if you spread the word about these upcoming Backyard Abundance classes (especially to those folks who missed the mid-March event with Dave Jacke).
May 1-2
This class enables you with skills to design a lush, inviting outdoor space that is based upon your values and goals. You will see your landscape in a whole new way and understand how to incorporate nature’s design patterns and processes in ways that lower maintenance and increase value.
At the end of the class you will be able to apply these skills in any landscape:
· Articulate goals and visions.
· Create an accurate landscape map.
· Analyze and assess a landscape to get a complete understanding of its potential.
· Create landscape designs that help people and wildlife thrive in harmony.
· Design outdoor rooms, food forests, windbreaks, efficient garden beds and pathways.
May 15-16
In this class you will learn where your landscape fits in our larger watershed and how it can improve the health of our urban streams and groundwater. Through hands-on exercises, you will learn how to design and implement rain gardens and prairie gardens as an elegant ecosystem that enhances the beauty and resiliency of your landscape. Rain barrel design is also covered.
At the end of the class you will be able to:
· Describe our water and prairie heritage.
· Design swales and rain gardens to maximize water use.
· Build a rain garden.
· Establish a native prairie garden with minimal effort.
View the brochure (let me know if you would like printed versions to hand out).
Space is limited to 30 people in each class. Registration information is on the website. Small groups of people with similar landscapes will work as a team in the classes, so it would be great to have groups of people attend.
Please let me know if you need more information or have any questions. Thanks so much for your time and energy.
Media Release: Backyard Abundance to Hold “Create Abundant Landscape” Classes
Backyard Abundance, an Iowa City nonprofit, has launched a series of classes entitled “Create Abundant Landscapes” that help people learn how to design and implement beautiful, self-maintaining ecological yards, gardens and landscapes. The classes focus on helping residents create beautiful landscapes that save them time, energy and money while improving the health of our environment. A wide variety of hands-on activities creates a fun and engaging learning experience.
The series began with a kickoff event in March led by Dave Jacke, nationally renowned author of “Edible Forest Gardens.” The enthusiastic response of over 150 attendees set the stage for these follow-up classes.
The next class will be held May 1 and 2 and will focus on how to “Design an Abundant Landscape.” Instructors are Fred Meyer, Director of Backyard Abundance and Jason Grimm, landscape architect and Food Systems Planner for Iowa Valley RC & D. Meyer is a Master Gardener and Permaculture Designer. Participants will learn how to analyze their landscape, set goals that match their needs and create designs for their yard or other spaces.
“At our many yard tours, people requested more in-depth classes on how to plan gardens and yards that include ecological features”, Meyer says. “People want to reduce the maintenance required in their yards and many people want to grow more of their own food. Our classes give people these useful, hands-on skills.”
On May 15 and 16, the class topic is “Improve Our Water Quality”. Meyer and Liz Maas, ecologist and owner of Transition Ecology, will be co-teachers. “People are very concerned about our water quality and the damage caused by floods and other water-related issues,” says Maas. Participants will learn how to mimic the historical water absorption properties of our native Iowa prairies by designing beautiful rain gardens and prairie gardens.
In June, classes include “Seeds of Sustainability” and “Create an Edible Landscape.” Additional classes are held throughout the year.
To register for classes and find more information, visit the Backyard Abundance website at www.BackyardAbundance.org or call 319-325-610. All classes are held at Willowwind School, 950 Dover Street in Iowa City.