Keynote Address

Turning Drains into Sponges and Water Scarcity into Abundance. Brad Lancaster.
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Morning Sessions

Session 1 (10am-11am, 1 hour)
Sustainability without Sacrificing the Bottom Line Join three talented professionals in exploring how to create sustainability in the landscape without sacrificing the bottom line. Panelists Rick Taylor, Patrick Picard, and Darryl Orr will discuss how they use Bay-Friendly Landscaping principles to grow their businesses and educate clients. What are the business and social benefits of going sustainable? What are the unique challenges and opportunities when selling sustainability to commercial and residential clients? How can Bay-Friendly qualification help your business? Does Sustainability cost more? How do you get started? These questions and more will be addressed by Bay-Friendly Landscaping pioneers in this interactive panel session. Rick Taylor, Patrick Picard, Darryl Orr.

Session 2 (10am-11am, 1 hour)
Working with Soil Biology in the Landscape A healthy landscape is a living ecosystem containing a complex soil food web of beneficial microbes. These microorganisms are responsible for many vital soil functions such as creating soil structure, cycling nutrients, and providing plants with protection from pathogens. In this session Matthew Slaughter, director of Soil Foodweb Oregon, will explain how compost and compost tea can be used to balance and enhance the soil biology in landscape environments. Benefits of a properly balanced soil biology include reduced water requirements, improved nutrient cycling with fewer fertilizers needed, and reduction of disease and pest problems.  Matt will provide case studies and practical tips and solutions for restoring the health of the soil, thereby maximizing the overall health and ecology of the landscape. Matthew Slaughter.
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Session 3 (10am-12noon, 2 hours)
Right as Rain: Stormwater Reduction Through Capture & Infiltration Rainwater is a water source that requires minimal filtration for use in rain gardens, or infiltrating onsite into soil where not needed for gardens. Rainwater harvesting, like all harvesting of alternative waters, should be considered as one of many strategies of integrated water management and low impact development. Two of the state's most qualified rainwater experts, Brock Dolman Director of the OAEC Water Institute, and John Russell, owner of Water Sprout will untangle rainwater quality issues; discuss the pros and cons of harvesting rainwater for ornamental and food crop gardens; explain earthworks, rain gardens, system costs, and how to plan a water budget and estimate necessary storage. Brock Dolman, John Russel.
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Session 4 (10am-12noon, 2 hours)
Top Techniques for Integrated Pest Management in Landscapes What is integrated pest management (IPM)?  Is it the same as Organic?  Does it mean using only EPA Reduced Risk pesticides, or exempt pesticides, or no pesticides at all?   In reality, IPM is a practical, science-based decision-making process that allows us to minimize the risks of both pesticides and pests.  This workshop seeks to shed some light on the often-confused IPM concept, and provide some useful tools to use in your own situation. City of San Francisco IPM Program Manager Chris Geiger will discuss the IPM decision-making process and pesticide issues, popular author and horticulturalist Pam Peirce will provide the rundown on common insects and diseases, landscape architect David Sauter will discuss ways to design weeds out of landscapes, and Strybing Arboretum master gardener Bob Fiorello will share a practical view of applying IPM on a daily basis. Chris Geiger, Bob Fiorello, David Sauter, Pam Peirce.
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Session 5 (10am-12noon, 2 hours)
How Bay-Friendly Rated Landscapes Protect Water Resources What is a Bay-Friendly Rated Landscape and how does a “holistic” approach conserve water and reduce stormwater pollution?  This presentation will explain how saving water and reducing pollution starts with how we treat the soil and goes from there to site drainage, plant selection, irrigation and more. You will get the big picture on Bay-Friendly Rated Landscapes and move to three specific case studies:  Doyle Hollis Park in Emeryville that reduced the turf and introduced a diverse plant pallet adapted to summer dry climates; to Drakes Landing office park in Larkspur where  a two-acre lawn was transformed into a native meadow using sheet mulching; and finally to Ironhorse affordable housing in Oakland that features two green roofs, swales and a community garden. Landscape designers or construction professionals from each project will share their perspectives. A panel discussion will include questions from the audience and drill deep into pros and cons and best practices. Featured speakers / panelists: Teresa Eade, StopWaste.Org; Cynthia Greenberg, Design, Community & the Environment, Landscape Architect; Linda Gates, Gates and Associates, Landscape Architect; Shawn Freeburg, PGA, Landscape Architect; Aaron Majors, Cagwin and Dorward, Construction Supervisor; Peter Schultz-Allen, City of Emeryville. Cynthia Greenberg, Linda Gates, Shawn Freedburg, Aaron Majors, Peter Schultze-Allen.
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Session 6 (11:15am-12:15pm, 1 hour)
Softscape Landscaping for Bay-Friendly Garden Rooms Garden rooms promote harmony in the landscape. They provide functional space for lifestyle activities from al fresco dining and entertaining to telecommuting and yoga. Conventionally, landscapers go in with bobcats and cement mixers to create structure. But, things don’t always have to be so hard. With softscape methods structure is found within the landscape, not imposed upon it. Working with what’s already there, a site’s inherent strengths are emphasized to support both usage needs and aesthetics. Natural systems remain intact. By maximizing permeable space, softscapes retain moisture, biomass and nutrients, resulting in a thriving soil microbiology – and a vital, attractive, and Bay-Friendly landscape. In this session Jillian Steinberger of The Garden Artisan will discuss creative methods and materials for structuring space through softscape techniques. Jillian Steinberger.
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Session 7 (11:15am-12:15pm, 1 hour)
Appropriate Planting: Measuring the Sustainability of Bay-Friendly Landscapes A sustainable landscape is achieved when the carbon and biological energy accrued in plants is greater than the amount of fossil fuel energy consumed during the design, installation, products and maintenance that goes into the landscape.  The key to achieving this goal can be found in the study of plants and planting associations that fit the local environment at all scales, and understanding the many ways energy is directly and indirectly used to build and support these plantings. Author, landscape architect, and educator Bob Perry will present a conceptual framework for quantifying the energy benefits of landscapes and landscape practices that compromise these benefits. He will also discuss specific types of California native trees, shrubs, ground covers, vines and grasses and their use in Bay Friendly landscapes. Bob Perry.
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Afternoon Sessions

Session 8 (1:30-3:30, 2 hours)
The Nitty Gritty on Soils for Successful Stormwater BMPs The new Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP) requires new soil specifications for landscape based stormwater best management practices. Leading in the effort to create the new biotreatment soil specifications, Laura Prickett (Senior Planner for EOA, Inc.) will moderate a discussion on the functions of the soil in rain gardens, bioswales and other BMPs and the role of compost (the nitty) and the topsoil, aggregate and sand components (the gritty).  A case study will be used to describe how installation is an important as getting the recipe right. Featured speakers / panelists: Megan Stromberg, WRA Engineering;  Scott Wikstrom, Contra Costa County Clean Water, City of Walnut Creek; Dan Noble, Executive Director of the Association of Compost Producers (ACP); and Paul Niemuth, Alameda County Clean Water, City of Fremont. Laura Prickett, Dan Noble, Scott Wikstrom, Megan Stromberg, Paul Niemuth.
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Session 9 (1:30-3:30, 2 hours)
Designing Landscapes for Conserving Water and New California Legislation How will new legislative mandates in California affect water efficiency in the landscape? How can you use this legislative knowledge as a business development tool? This workshop will make the connection between new legislative requirements and opportunities in landscape water management. City of Santa Rosa Water Conservation Program Coordinator Daniel Muelrath will identify relevant state legislation including the revised Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO), Senate Bill x7-7 (20% x 2020) and current legislation regarding rainwater and graywater. LEED AP Designer Sierra Hart will use an actual landscape design plan and ordinance checklist to illustrate current requirements and methods to be in compliance with WELO. Cagwin & Dorward Irrigation Resource Manager Paul Schultz will provide several water conservation case studies on existing landscapes, and City of Santa Rosa Water Conservation Representative Debra Lane will share highlights of participating sites in the City of Santa Rosa’s Cash for Grass Rebate Program. Daniel Mulreath, Sierra Hart, Debra Lane, Paul Schultz.
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Session 10 (1:30-3:30, 2 hours)
Greywater in the Landscape: Year-Round Alternative Water Source Graywater, a year round water source, is an essential component of integrated water management, particularly in California which has wet and dry seasons.  Graywater experts Laura Allen of Greywater Action, Bill Wilson of Carlisle Macy and Susie Murray of the City of Santa Rosa's Graywater Program, will share in-depth knowledge on the new CA Graywater code and localized adoption and civic graywater programs; explain how to match appropriate systems with specific site conditions, water quality and permitting issues; and discuss the successes and failures of implementing systems around the state. Laura Allen, Bill Wilson, Susie Murray.
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Session 11 (1:30-3:30, 2 hours)
Creating Year-Round Edible Landscapes: The New Niche More and more homeowners are interested in growing edibles in their own gardens, but lack the know-how. Landscape designers will share their experiences in designing, installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining residential edible gardens – that also conserve water.  Session will include a hands-on charette to provide participants an opportunity to play with creative designs for urban landscapes including edible front yards and urban orchards. Charlotte Woody, Katrine Benninger.
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Session 12 (1:30-3:30, 2 hours)
Habitat in the City: Lessons, Practice, and Theories for Bringing Bay-Friendly to the Urban Frontier Sustainable landscapes and the core principles of Bay Friendly Landscapes and SITES™ focus on eco-system services and regenerative design. Challenges to successful implementation of these principles and practices include lack of perceived economic value and visual aesthetics. How can we as landscape architects, designers and contractors create sustainable landscapes that restore ecology and a unique sense of place? Sarah Sutton, ASLA, Principal, Design, Community & Environment, will share good, bad and truly ugly examples of urban design and sustainable solutions from a range of projects at varied scales, and introduce tools and techniques for successfully integrating Bay-Friendly principles to create landscapes that contribute positively to both the local ecology and community character. April Philips, ASLA, Principal, April Philips Design Works, will discuss Sustainable Sites metrics, selling the value of sustainability and the current trends that promote movement towards eco-friendly cities. She will also share examples of how Bay Friendly and other sustainable rating tools such as SITES can work together to foster a more regenerative urban environment that balances ecology, culture and economics. April Philips, Sarah Sutton.
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Late Afternoon Sessions

Session 13 (3:45pm-5pm, 1.25 hours)
Sourcing and Specifying Sustainable Materials Finding, specifying and utilizing sustainable materials for landscape projects can be time consuming and sometimes frustrating for a designer. Clear communication of expected outcomes — from early phases of design to the final constructed landscape — is one key success. Drawing on more than 20 years of professional practice, teaching and research, Bruce Jett — Principal of Bruce Jett Associates, Inc. Landscape Architects, in Alameda, CA — will focus on the design, specification and detailing, and construction phases of a project, with particular emphasis on working with contractors on projects requiring Bay Friendly Landscape compliance. Bruce Jett.
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Session 14 (3:45pm-5pm, 1.25 hours)
Practical Solutions for Nurturing Healthy Soil We are often faced with soils that have been severely impacted by construction, conventional landscaping methods, and toxic residues.  These impacts can result in soils that are devoid of life, thus depriving plants of the nutrient cycling, aeration, and disease prevention that characterizes a healthy landscape ecosystem.  Landscape Architect Charles McCulloch and Alan Mart, who specializes in organic land management, have worked together for years to restore the health of landscape ecosystems.  They will showcase several local projects in which living soils were created from urban soils that were deficient in organic matter, water holding capacity, living organisms, and balanced minerals. They will present project solutions that maximize the long-term health and ecology of the landscape environment while reducing water needs, maintenance and other costs. Alan Mart, Charles McCulloch.
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Session 15 (3:45pm-5pm, 1.25 hours)
Drip for Skeptics: Why Should You Convert? Have you tripped on emitters? Cut through lines? If you think drip is hard to install and impossible to maintain, think again. Our panel of experts – believers all – present a compelling case for drip as the most effective way to create well-watered gardens on a tight water budget, and a key piece in any sustainable water management strategy. With extensive experience designing and installing drip irrigation systems throughout Northern California in both the commercial and residential sectors, our panelists have successfully irrigated everything from the vast lawns of gated communities to corporate Permaculture installations, from posh hotels and wineries to market farms and backyard edibles. And everything in between! Learn the ins and outs, the tips and tricks, the best brands and technologies, and more. Come armed with all your doubts, questions and complaints! Tom Bressan, Robert Kourik, Johnnie Mitchell, Geoff Hall.

Session 16 (3:45pm-5pm, 1.25 hours)
Appropriate Planting: Measuring the Sustainability of Bay-Friendly Landscapes Repeat of Session 7. Bob Perry.
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For More Information:

Joanne Connelly, Conference Planner

Joanne@BayFriendlyCoalition.org

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