MassConn Roundtable Discussion: hunting on public and private conservation lands
Representing the Massachusetts Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, I will be providing a brief 15-minute presentation at the MassConn All Partners meeting at Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary in Wales, MA on the importance of access to open space for hunting, how conservation organizations can be good partners to the hunting community, and what sorts of policies encourage/discourage hunting on conserved property from the perspective of the hunting community, etc. This will be a way to connect conservation minded hunters and anglers with land trusts and town conservations commissions for the purpose of joint stewardship projects and management of deer populations for habitat restoration.
Behind the Green Curtain: The Hidden Work of Plant Conservation Presented by the APGA Plant Conservation Community
In partnership between the Native Plant Community, and the Plant Conservation Community of the American Public Gardens Association, I will be joining a handful of other speakers talking about the behind the scenes work that goes into plant conservation related projects. I will be focusing on my work in restoring the American Chestnut, and some of the challenges New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill has faced in managed our 100% pure American Chestnut planting
Learn more and Register Here!
Getting Started with Drones & GIS in Your Botanic Garden
Presenting for the American Public Gardens Association’s 2025 Technology & Innovation Professionals (TIPS) Virtual Symposium
Getting Started with Drones & GIS in Your Botanic Garden (30 minutes)
Presenters: Robert Graham, Anna Petrie
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill staff presents how GIS technology is being utilized in the organization; from utilizing historical imagery, taking high resolution drone images, and mapping the living and non-living collections. Other topics include the types of tools for mapping the garden’s collections (living collections and dedicated features), current GIS projects, and future goals for how GIS can create accessibility to the collections along with sharing information and knowledge with other institutions for conservation research.
Earth, Environment & Physics Senior Seminar Career Panel: Worcester State University
Spoke alongside other environmental professionals to the graduating class of Worcester State Universities Earth, Environment and Physics students regarding the environmental field, career direction and generally about my experience in the environmental field as a Worcester State University Alumni
In Partnership with the Place: Site-Specific Native Design, New England-Style
Full day presentation for NDAL
What’s Hiding in the Landscape? Uncovering a Site’s True Potential
Steve Conaway & Robert Graham (indoor lecture)
In this presentation Steve and Robert will discuss the essential work of site assessment in uncovering the plant community traits, ecological processes, and past human activities that inform New England’s widely varied landscapes. Through historic land use records, observations on the ground, and regional resources they will show how to effectively reveal the potential diversity and ecological character of a site. With insights from the past and analysis of the present, designers can more successfully enhance botanical diversity while curating inspirational spaces that elicit a true “sense of place.”
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Field Walk (outdoor walk)
Robert Graham and Larry Weaner
We will visit multiple meadows with varying compositions and histories, including a native meadow that was planted in 2021; an older meadow dominated by pasture grasses and many of the broadleaf forbes that commonly associate with them; and a wet meadow containing a large population of native forbs and shrubs, managed by period mowing. Finally, we’ll visit an invasive plant-dominated vernal pool and discuss aggressive vs. gradual approaches to a native plant transition.
Power Up Your Yard: Switching to Electric
Curious about battery-powered landscaping equipment but unsure if it's right for you? Battery-powered landscaping equipment is transforming how we maintain our outdoor spaces, and it's more accessible than ever. While many homeowners and commercial users wonder about performance and return on investment, Robert is here to showcase the options. He'll explore the diverse range of battery-powered equipment, showcasing its powerful advantages and addressing common concerns. Plus, discover how trade-in programs, rebates, and new initiatives can make your switch to electric seamless and affordable.
Recording :ELA Webinar Power Up Your Yard Switching to Electric - YouTube
The Climate Toolkit: Electrification Strategies
For this presentation for The Climate Toolkit working group, I will speak on some of the electrification initiatives we’ve taken part in our horticultural operation at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. This includes battery operated landscaping equipment as well as heavy equipment, and sustainable building infrastructure.
“Making the Move to Green Equipment” American Public Gardens Association: Gardens of the Future Symposium Colombus, Ohio
Presenting on transitioning New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill’s transition to sustainably and ecologically minded land management practices for the APGA Horticulture, Greenhouse and Facilities Community “Gardens of the Future” Symposium
