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Regional Report
1 Jan, 2008 By: Jamie Gooch Livescapes
Northwest
NATIVE LANDSCAPING
Botanical Developments Completes North Rim Park
BEND, OR — Drake Design Group (DDG) and Botanical Developments, both affiliates of Brooks Resources Corp., recently completed the North Rim Park project. DDG designed the park to match with the community's architectural guidelines, which includes the incorporation of native landscaping
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The park features native plantings and rock outcroppings, along with erosion control elements to help stabilize the area.
"We specialize in working with the native plants and creating projects that really fit with the high desert environment," says Project Manager Ron Kidder. "North Rim is committed to preserving the natural landscape of the area, and we feel that North Rim Park really epitomizes this goal in many ways."
Southeast
DROUGHT
FNGLA Addresses Drought Issues
In light of reason drought conditions in the state, the staff of the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA) has been meeting with the executive directors and top officials of the South Florida and Southwest Florida Water Management Districts to push for 60-day exemption periods for all new landscapes, as well as funding for consumer marketing to promote proper planting during dry periods.
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According to FNGLA Executive Vice President Ben Bolusky, the association has urged Florida Governor Charlie Crist to work with his colleagues, state and federal agencies to conserve water in Lake Okeechobee as well as Georgia's Lake Lanier (metro Atlanta is North Florida growers' major market). For more information, visit www.fngla.org.
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Southwest
PEOPLE
York Inducted as IA President
PHOENIX — Ewing Irrigation President Douglas W. York was inaugurated as the 2008 Irrigation Association (IA) president during the International Irrigation Show in San Diego. As president, York says he will concentrate on education, active membership involvement, and lobbying initiatives.
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York's induction marks a third generation of irrigation industry advocacy, and second generation of IA leadership: His father, Ray, served as IA president in 1986; and his mother, Sue, served as IA president in 1998.
Midwest
INTERNET
U of I Debuts Hortanswers Site
URBANA, IL — A new website allows horticulturists to gain information about plant pests, diseases, and performance in the USDA hardiness zones 4, 5 and 6.
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"Hortanswers," online at www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/hortanswers, is designed to provide basic information about disease and pest problems, plus determine the right plant for the right place, says Greg Stack, U of I Extension horticulture educator and one of the site's designers. Originally conceived by former U of I Extension specialist Bruce Pallsrud, the site was developed by Jane Scherer, U of I Extension urban program/Web coordination specialist, along with Stack and fellow Extension horticulture educators James Schuster, Maurice Ogutu and Sharon Yiesla.
"Because of its complexity, it took several years to develop," says Stack. "The result is an extremely valuable site."
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