Integrating Ecology, Beauty and Adaptability in Design
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Friday, February 13, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST
*Live Zoom Event
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Thriving landscapes that support wildlife, enhance biodiversity, and respond to environmental challenges require thoughtful design and tested practices. This engaging symposium brings together experts in horticulture, ecology, and design to share solutions that work—from small gardens to large public landscapes.
Learn how native keystone plants and layered “soft landings” can support pollinators from canopy to ground, and explore regenerative approaches that blend beauty, function, and biodiversity in every setting. Through illustrative real-world case studies, you’ll discover how dynamic, naturalistic plantings can adapt and thrive, and how climate-resilient and diverse plant palettes can strengthen ecosystems in both urban and suburban environments.
Attendees will gain practical tools for plant selection, soil preparation, and habitat design, along with proven strategies for creating landscapes that actively support wildlife and the environment. Whether you’re tending a home garden or shaping public spaces, this symposium provides the knowledge and solutions to design with purpose—and with the future in mind.
Learn how native keystone plants and layered “soft landings” can support nments.
*This will be offered as a series of live online lectures using Zoom with audience Q&A incorporated into the program. Each session will be recorded and a link to watch the symposium will be emailed to all participants. Professional development credit hours will be available for each session.
Learn how native keystone plants and layered “soft landings” can support
The following languages are supported for translated captions:
Arabic, Cantonese, Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Simplified). Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish , French (Canada), French (France), German, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
About GreenScapes
The GreenScapes Symposium is an annual program planned by Brookside Gardens since 2004. The Symposium explores the latest topics related to landscape sustainability and the environment. This event appeals to a broad audience ranging from landscape architects and designers to master gardeners, horticulturists, and urban planners. Environmental stewardship is a core value of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Brookside Gardens’ parent organization. As such, we strive to provide timely information and viable solutions to environmental challenges that help create a healthy planet for all people, plants and living things.
Registration Information
If you create a new Active Montgomery account, please check your Inbox for an email with a link to authenticate your account. This must be done prior to adding the GreenScapes event to your cart and checking out.
- Register by clicking on this link via ActiveMontgomery.org (Activity # PBG0057) or call 301-962-1451
- Early Bird Fee: $50 (ends Friday, January 9)
- Student Fee: $30 (proof of current enrollment as a full-time student required)
Registration Help
- Click here for Frequently Asked Questions on creating and accessing your ActiveMONTGOMERY user account.
- You must first either create an account or log into your account in order to add the event to your cart for processing payment.
- If you haven’t accessed your ActiveMONTGOMERY account in the past 1 year (365 days), you will need to update your password.
- If you forgot your password and/or your username, on the login screen, select the “Forgot Username?” or “Forgot Password?” under the Login box. Provide the Primary Email Address you used to create your account. If you selected “Forgot Username?”, you will receive an email that will include your username. If you selected “Forgot Password?”, you will receive an email to reset your password.
- If you are still experiencing difficulties with your username and password, email ActiveMONTGOMERYHelp@montgomeryparks.org or call our ActiveMONTGOMERY Customer Service at 301-495-2580.
- If you would like to register over the phone, please call Brookside Gardens at 301-962-1451.
Schedule of the Day
| TIME | AGENDA |
|---|---|
| 8:45am | Welcome & Introductions |
| 9:00am | Design by Nature: Dynamic Planting at the Intersection of Horticulture and Ecology Patrick Cullina, award-winning horticulturist, landscape designer, photographer and planning consultant Join planting designer and founding Vice President of Horticulture at New York City’s High Line, Patrick Cullina, for an inspiring exploration of landscape design rooted in ecology, adaptability, and narrative. Through a series of compelling case studies, Patrick will reveal the mechanics behind successful projects—unpacking plant palettes, design strategies, and real-world challenges. This session will offer a deep dive into his signature approach: creating dynamic, naturalistic plantings that evolve with the seasons and thrive under pressure. Learn how to design resilient landscapes that balance beauty and function—whether in dense urban parks or suburban home gardens. Gain practical insights into plant performance, soil constraints, and the ecological thinking that drives lasting, adaptive design. |
| 10:15 am | Break |
| 10:45 am | From Canopy to Groundcover: Building Soft Landings with Keystone Plants for Pollinators Heather Holm, biologist, pollinator conservationist, and award-winning author This presentation explores the powerful connection between keystone plants and the insects that depend on them. You’ll learn how to implement “Soft Landings” in landscapes of all scales from home gardens to larger managed sites. This innovative habitat design and management strategy focuses on creating layered mini ecosystems beneath native trees to support pollinators throughout their life cycles.Participants will learn what defines a pollen specialist, discover examples of these fascinating bee-plant relationships, and understand how keystone plants function as foundational species in our ecosystems. You’ll benefit from practical strategies on site preparation methods, herbicide considerations, and building a resilient plant matrix of sedges, cool-season grasses, and flowering keystone species. By the end of the presentation, participants will be equipped to design and install Soft Landing plantings that transform conventional landscapes into thriving sanctuaries for bees, caterpillars, and other beneficial insects. |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch |
| 12:30 pm | Sponsor Presentations |
| 1:00 pm | Bridging Design and Ecology: Strategies for Resilient and Engaging Landscapes Ching-Fang Chen, Landscape Architect, Montgomery Parks (MD) Discover how Montgomery Parks in Maryland is reshaping public spaces through ecologically driven design. This lecture presents a series of innovative, award-winning park projects that demonstrate how regenerative principles can be seamlessly integrated into a variety of landscapes. Featured projects include the design of a neighborhood park featuring native woody and herbaceous plants including a container pollinator garden to boost biodiversity. Other case studies focus on the transformation of a parking lot into a vibrant demonstration rain garden, meadow restoration using strategic transplanting techniques and environmental art installation crafted from recycled materials. Gain insight into collaborative efforts with ecologists to test meadow mixes tailored to varying light conditions and plant heights. Whether you’re a homeowner, landscape designer, or park professional, this session offers fresh inspiration and practical strategies for enhancing habitat, beauty, and functionality—while fostering deeper connections between people and places. |
| 2:15 pm | Break |
| 2:45 pm | Adapting Gardens for a Changing Climate: Building Biodiversity Through Plant Diversity David McKinney, Curator of Collections and Grounds, Iowa Arboretum & Gardens Over the past century, our cities and suburbs have been transformed, leaving few landscapes that resemble their original habitats. True ecological restoration is often out of reach—and climate change is making it even harder. As native plants bloom earlier or for shorter periods, critical gaps in nectar and habitat threaten the pollinators and wildlife that depend on them. |
| 4:00 pm | Closing Remarks |
Continuing Education
The following CEUs were available at last year’s symposium and are expected to be offered again this year:
- American Society of Landscape Architects (LA CES 5.0)
- Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD 5.0)
- Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals (CBLP 5.0)
- DC Master Gardener (5.0)
- Delaware Master Gardener (5.0)
- ISA BCMA Science: 1.25
- Management: 3.75
- ISA Certified Arborist: 5
- Municipal Specialist: 5
- Maryland Master Gardener (5.0)
- Maryland Master Naturalist Advanced Training (5 hours)
- New Jersey Master Gardener (5.0)
- New York Master Gardener (5.0 – contact your local extension agent)
- Penn State Extension Master Gardeners (5.0)
- Virginia Master Gardener (5.0 – contact your local extension agent)