Aesthetics of Ecology

About This Event

Register here for April 6
Register here for May 25
Register here for June 22 **Update: Class has been cancelled. Questions? Please contact the Education Department at 626.821.4623.**

10am-12pm
$25 Arboretum members
$35 non-members (includes Arboretum Admission)

When we hear the word ‘ecology,’ or associated terms like ‘nature’ and ‘environment,’ perhaps we envision weeds overgrowing vacant lots or scrappy wooded areas that ought to be tamed. In the context of this workshop series, Jadene Mayla aims to replace such images with orderly scenes of ecosystem function within contemporary developed landscapes. Ecology does not have to be messy – water can be purified, beneficial pollinators can be fed, and soil can regain a rich top layer when landscape architecture is combined with regenerative design principles.

April 6 – Soil: Fountain of Youth
The skin is the largest organ of the body. Similarly, the earth is protected by a living interface – soil. Supporting this soil layer is similar to a great skin-care routine. By making moves in accord to nature, you can re-establish your soil’s powerful ability to in turn support a healthy web of life.

May 25 – Trees: Architecture of Beauty
Affecting change on the surface often starts within. Can our attitude toward seemingly insentient aspects of the landscape cause cosmetic and other (undreamed of) shifts? We are told the plant kingdom is comprised of “lower” organisms – stubborn players that require surgery and control. What if we approached them as highly intelligent partners in the co-creation of our city? This workshop introduces modern communication received directly from trees as framework for replacing our traditional relationship with them. When we allow these powerful anchors of our biosphere to feel as well as look their best, they are then able to contribute a fuller range of their gifts to us.

June 22 – Understory Plants: Accessories Communicate
How we adorn ourselves is our first layer of communication with the world. Garments and accessories protect us, inspire others, and tell our story. Attracting a supportive, positive community is a key benefit of showing who we are. Regenerative design acts as your stylist, effectively selecting and accessorizing the right wardrobe for your soil and trees so they draw in the right non-human people. The result is more beauty with less effort and more rapid success. In this workshop, we will discuss the effective strategies for placing, planting, and supporting a community of understory and mid-canopy plants that work for us by bringing in special helpers.