Course (1) Title: Sustainable Techniques for Cities

October 6th - 9:30 am

Course (2) Title: LEED Sustainable Site Techniques

October 7th - 10:30 am

Biography:

Alrie Middlebrook is a committed advocate and practitioner of the sustainable lifestyle, respected landscape professional and California native plant specialist. Her San Jose, California-based build/design firm, Middlebrook Gardens, has installed over 200 California native gardens and remains on the leading edge of the rising sustainability movement.

She published the California native plant cook book, "Eating California" and co-authored the groundbreaking new book "Designing California Native Gardens; The Plant Community Approach to Artful, Ecological Gardens," with renowned field botanist, Dr. Glenn Keator. She produced the first full color glossy magazine focusing on sustainable construction and native gardening, "Green Heart," named after her regional newspaper column.

Course (1) Title: Sustainable Techniques for Cities

Course Description: Components of a sustainable city. A sustainable city functions for it's citizens today without compromising the needs of it's citizens tomorrow. It prioritizes and perpetuates local ecology, it provides locally grown organic food and through its thoughtful planning, design, construction and stewardship protects its food supply, its soils, water and air quality.

Course (2) Title: LEED Sustainable Site Techniques

Course Description: USGBC LEED Certification. What is it's counterpart for Sustainable landscaping? The Sustainable Sites Initiative. This is a 250 point rating system with four categories of excellence. There are 17 pilot SITES in California. We will describe why our site qualifies for the designation. Native plants, watershed protection, retention of rainfall, soil building, less paving, greywater/constructed wetlands, etc. We'll explore at least 15 sustainable landscaping components.

Schedule subject to change