New Feature - Post Your Job Opportunities

We would like to announce a new feature that is now available at our wiki website --- the ability to post job opportunities to our members! Just visit our website and click on "POST YOUR JOB"

By filling out the Employment Opportunities form, members as well as non-members will be able to post new job openings that will be forwarded to members of The Underground via our Yahoo Group.

Looking for some help this coming season? Then please give it a try.

New Online Store

We would like to announce that The Underground now has an online store. We have a great selection of books and supplies that you may wish to purchase for the holidays and we are happy to add more based upon member suggestions.

A small portion of your purchase price of items selected through our website will go to benefit The Underground. We thank you for your support of our organization.

Please visit our website and click on STORE.

If you have other suggestions for great books or merchandise please let us know and we will add them to our store. What's in your top ten list?

Article About Native Plants As Part of the Sustainable Landscape

We would like to give a very big thank you to Scott LaFleur and Tom Smarr of The New England Wild Flower Society for writing our latest online consumer article "How Native Plants Work as Part of the Sustainable Landscape". This article can be viewed at our Find A Landscape Pro wiki website.

If you would like to contribute an article or photo to either of our wiki websites or to our forums please let us know. We welcome your contributions.

New Speakers Bureau

The Underground is currently developing a Speakers Bureau and will be providing listings on our 'Find A Landscape Professional' wiki website. All speakers must be members in good standing of The Underground. To add your speaker listing please visit our website and fill out our form.

Garden Ornamentation Workshop with Marie Stella and Artisans

Photos credit: Charlotte Fleetwood

Garden ornamentation has been integral to private and public garden spaces for more than two thousand years. In this "Garden Ornamentation Workshop" we examined the history of garden ornamentation, materials that are commonly used, and how fine garden art can be incorporated into your landscape projects. Our presentation was followed by a studio visit, artisan demonstrations and a self-guided tour of local installations.

Guest Presenter: Marie Stella, Kirin Farm Enterprises, Inc., Charlemont, MA
Guest Artisans: Ray Ciemny, Artist/Blacksmith and Doug Patten, Artist/Stone Carver, Groton, MA

Fine garden ornamentation adds a sense of embellishment to an existing garden. Using one-of-a kind pieces can establish a new sense of peace or provide a complete makeover for the garden. Incorporating extraordinary furnishings and art of the past or present can create a sense of ambiance and mood or establish a focal point that demands attention. It can draw people into the garden, frame an important view or anchor a perennial bed. It can create unity and harmony in a garden that might not otherwise exist.

In this workshop we looked at ways that we can enhance our landscape plans and add that special finishing touch to our projects.

Following our slide presentation we drove a short distance to visit a local studio to see wrought iron forging and stone carving demonstrations and talk with the artisans about their craft.

Marie Stella - MA, MS, is a landscape historian and designer. Her design firm, Kirin Farm Enterprises, Inc., specializes in historic gardens and environmental landscapes. She is on the faculty of the Landscape Institute, Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University, and adjunct faculty at the New York Botanical Garden, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, The Institute of Ecosystem Studies, and Cooper Union.

Ray Ciemny (Artisan/Blacksmith) - Ray received his initial professional art training at the Massachusetts College of Art. He worked as an illustrator and founded a computer design studio. When he first touched hammer to iron, however he knew this was his true passion. Mr. Ciemny began an apprenticeship with Master Blacksmith William Senseney of Williamstown, MA in 1987. Following years of honing his craft, Mr. Ciemny now offers his personal vision of the fusion of Art and Craft. http://www.ArtisanIron.com

Doug Patten (Artisan/Stone Carver) - DM Patten began carving small wooden objects as a young boy. While in his twenties he discovered stone sculpting and was instantly hooked. Over the years he has developed his own style and methods for working in various native stones. His skills are primarily self taught from readings and occasional conversations with old timers who practiced this craft many years ago. Patten’s work is peppered throughout Groton, the surrounding communities and beyond.

Thank you to Charlotte Fleetwood for providing her digital photos taken at this workshop.

Discount on Google SketchUp for Members

We have a special time limited offer for Underground members only. Purchase Google SketchUp Pro Single User license through 11/22 and save $50 off the current price of $495. If you are interested in this offer please and are a current Underground member please contact us for more information.

You do not need to have attended our Software Shootout to take advantage of this offer. Google SketchUp is PC and Mac compatible.

Discount on Dynascape Software for Members

Dynascape will offer members of The Underground a 10% discount on any purchase of DynaSCAPE Design, DynaSCAPE Quote, or DynaSCAPE Color through December 31, 2007. This includes any purchases made by Underground members since the Software Shootout on October 20, 2007. Please contact us for more details. Prior to processing the purchase, DynaSCAPE will validate membership in The Underground. The offer is open to any current member of the Yahoo Group. Purchases are to be made directly with the Sales staff of Dynascape at (800) 710-1900 or by visiting http://www.dynascape.com

2007 Election Results Are In!

The Underground Elections results are in, with 23% of our nearly 300 eligible members casting their votes in our first election. All candidates ran unopposed and received 68 votes each. The slate of candidates has been elected to serve for a two year term beginning in January 2008.

The announcement of theses results and introductions of the new officers were made at our annual meeting (required by the bylaws) on Saturday, October 20th at The Software Shootout.

Thank you to everyone for continuing on and working to build this wonderful organization.

2007 Annual Report Now Available

Yesterday we held our first annual meeting at the Software Shootout program. Our annual report as presented is now available at our website.

Thank you to our participants at yesterday's program - (Reid Bertone-Johnson, Mike Ambrose, Sally Naish and Len Hordyck) you helped make this program a tremendous success.

Congratulations also goes to our software winners.
Amy VanDoren - Google SketchUp Pro
Risa Edelstein - Dynascape Design and Quote

Much thanks goes to our program sponsors DynaSCAPE Software and Google SketchUp

A special thank you to Mary Coyne, Professor Emerita, Wellesley College and the Wellesley College Science Center for providing their wonderful facilities for this program.

2nd Annual Software Shootout

Howdy, pardner! Mosey on down and join us at the "2nd Annual Software Shootout" for a rootin' tootin' shootin' good time at this exciting program which will explore how landscape professionals are using today’s high falutin' techniques to create their landscape plans and documents.

The software presented at this program was representative of just a few of the applications available, and ranged in price, capability and complexity. Yeeeeeeeeeeha!

Our guest presenters included:
Reid Bertone-Johnson, Dodson Associates, Ltd., Ashfield, MA - Google SketchUp
Mike Ambrose, Ambrose Plants & Design, Millis, MA - Drafix ProLandscape
Sally Naish, Light & Shade Garden Design, Arlington, MA - Dynascape Design

Attendees learned the secrets to creating high quality, graphically rich landscape plans using their computers. Designers showed examples of their projects and described the step-by-step process for their implementation. They discussed their software products’ learning curve and the strengths and weaknesses from their personal perspectives. Handouts provided additional information including tips and tricks, equipment requirements, costs and other special considerations and comparisons. Attendees were also encouraged to bring in design examples that have been created using these software programs for a show and tell session at the end of the program.

DynaSCAPE Software representative Len Hordyk was on hand to answer questions about specific components of their software and show us their new product DynaSCAPE Color 1.0.

This program gave you information you need to find the software that will work for you in your landscape business. It gave a real-world perspective of the products’ capabilities from real users.

Working in Cooperation with NOFA OLC

The Underground is pleased to be working in cooperation with The NOFA Organic Land Care Committee. NOFA OLC provides education and outreach to landscape professionals, homeowners, activists and all concerned with organic land management. Offering the 5-day NOFA Accreditation Course in Organic Land Care annually in winter in MA, CT and RI; and the 1-day NOFA Organic Lawn & Turf Course annually in August in MA and CT. For more info contact Ashley Kremser, program manager. Visit www.organiclandcare.org

Virginia Thurston Healing Garden Article

We would like to point your attention to an article about The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden which is now available. The article and pictures were submitted by Undergrounder Beth Ranahan and details how The Underground brought about the workshop and made this project happen - thanks to you, our wonderful members!

Click here to see more of our workshop pictures.

Heartfelt Thanks go to the following donors and volunteers who joined the cause:

Donors
Aclearium, Inc., Westford, MA
BayLeaf Studio, Maynard, MA
BJ’s Wholesale Club, Framingham, MA
Crocker Electrical, North Quincy, MA
Dunkin' Donuts, Framingham, MA
EssentialSpace EarthScapes, Newburyport, MA
Eves Electrical, Waltham, MA
Landscape Artisans, Shirley, MA
Lepidoptera Landscape Design, Framingham, MA
Liquid Landscape Designs, Inc., Carlisle, MA
NECC Corporation, Woburn, MA
New England Nurseries, Bedford, MA
NorthStar Farm Perennials & Groundcovers, Westport, MA
Penske Truck Leasing, Framingham, MA
Savio Engineering, Albuquerque, NM
Starbucks Coffee, Westford, MA
Trader Joe’s, Framingham, MA
The New England Wild Flower Society, Framingham, MA
The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, Inc., Harvard, MA
Weir Meadow Nursery, Wayland, MA
Weston Nurseries, Hopkinton, MA
Whole Foods Market, Framingham, MA
Z-Taylor Trucking, Leominster, MA

The Underground Volunteers
Paul Angelli
Lisa Bailey
Jeff Barone
Jay Bearfield
Barbara Blake
Susan Bringola
Darrell Buchannan
Ted Chapman
Ed Council
Ed Coykendall
Elizabeth Dudley
Martha Eisenberg
Todd Eves
Hasso Ewing
Laurie Fitzgerald
Charlotte Fleetwood
Nancy Forbes
Karen Fountain-Lantelme
Sherri Geldersma
Lori Gotlieb
Rochelle Greayer
Mike Gudejko
Seija Halva
Suzanne Higham
Katherine Holland
Chris Kelly
Mabel Liang
Linda Lischer
Adaela McLaughlin
Bridget McManus
Laurie Pegrum
Denise Pegrum
Bruce Piper
Beth Ranahan
Judith Reeve
Julie Seavy
Michael Smith
Dori Smith
Susan Tuttle
Jill Vollmuth

Fundamentals of Landscape Estimating

From project conception to bid acceptance, the accuracy of your current working estimate is vital to landscape installation success. This informative program "Fundamentals of Landscape Estimating" explored professional methods for accurately costing out landscape projects.

The guest speaker was Frank Crandall, Wood River Evergreens, Inc., Hope Valley, RI

Participants learned about the techniques for taking the guess-work out of landscape estimating. Our speaker discussed the fundamentals of estimating landscape projects, pricing of plants and materials, vehicle and equipment costs, and job costing. Attendees were provided with insights, methods, and techniques to help make their business more profitable.

This program provided the novice as well as the seasoned landscape professional suggestions and tips to improve and streamline their landscape estimating methods. It also helped to demystify the cost estimating process to allow you to work more effectively with your contractor/installer.

Frank Crandall, owner of Wood River Evergreens, Inc., in Hope Valley, RI, an award-winning landscape company serving Southern Rhode Island, horticultural speaker, author of Lessons from the Landscape, noted photographer, and current chairman of the Master Gardener Foundation of Rhode Island. He has been a frequent Flower Show speaker who delivers his presentations with entertainment, education and creativity.

Participants were free to enjoy the trails at Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary upon the conclusion of this program.

Underground Merchandise Available for Purchase

The Underground is now selling merchandise through our event registration site. Merchandise can be purchased and then picked up at our educational programs. Pictures and descriptions of our most requested items - our coffee mugs and journals are viewable upon registering for our programs. Visit our store at CafePress for even more items.

The Underground Needs You!

The Underground is an all volunteer organization that would appreciate your help. We need volunteers to assist with a wide range of activities throughout New England. You can choose to help occasionally or regularly, as your schedule permits. No experience is necessary. This is a great opportunity to learn, make new friends, and share with others who have similar interests, while promoting our organization in New England. Many of the committee tasks and responsibilities can be shared, so feel free to enlist friends and colleagues to work on your committee if you need additional assistance.

The following committees are available:
Programming
Publicity
Membership
Exhibits
Annual Meeting
Internet Technology
Audio/Video Production
Sponsorship
K.O.T.B.
Photojournalism

Click here for more information and to sign up.

Elections End September 1st

For those members who have already voted in our elections thank you. For those who have still not voted, please take a moment to show us your support. Email voting instructions were already sent to all eligible members.

It is very easy to cast your vote, so don't delay, vote today!

If you are a new member of The Underground, you may not be eligible to vote. Only those members who have received previous notification containing registration codes are eligible.

The Underground In the News!

Check out the article that appears in the MetroWest Daily News.

New Program Cancellation Policy Implemented

Cancellations and Refunds

You may cancel an event (program, workshop, or tour) registration and receive a partial refund by notifying us (by email or phone) up to the time of the event. With such cancellations, a cancellation fee of 15% (with a minimum of $5.00) for each cancellation will be deducted. Cancellations received after this time, or after the event will not be refunded. We regret that no refunds or credits can be given for events that are in progress or that you have not attended.

If registration numbers are insufficient, The Underground reserves the right to cancel a program. In this case a full refund will be issued. The Underground also reserves the right to modify this general cancellation and refund policy for a specific event as needed; any modifications will be announced with the details of that event.

Weather Cancellations

Program cancellations due to inclement weather will be announced in advance of the event (typically by email). If you think that your program may be canceled please contact us.

Please Welcome New Member of Steering, Ed Coykendall

We would like to announce the addition of a new member-at-large to our steering committee. Please welcome Ed Coykendall of Landscape Artisans, Shirley, MA. We look forward to Ed's participation in our organization.

We would also like to thank Denise Pegrum for agreeing to continue on the board as a member-at-large. Denise will be stepping down as Secretary as of January 2008.

The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden Project in the News!

Today's edition (Sunday) of the Boston Globe NorthWest (page 10) has an article by Cindy Cantrell about the efforts of The Underground to install the water feature at The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden. You can read the article here.

Elections Begin!

If you have been a member of The Underground for at least 60 days (i.e. you have been part of our Yahoo group), then you are eligible to vote in the elections of officers for The Underground. Voting is open until September 1, 2007 and will be conducted via our online voting system at Ballotbin. You will receive a registration letter shortly. Please find statements from our candidates below.

The elected officers will be introduced in October at our Annual Meeting. Watch for a posting with all the details!

Thank You from the Executive Director!

We wanted to pass along this message to The Underground from Betsy Tyson-Smith, Executive Director of The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden.


I can hardly think of words to describe my joy at seeing the beautiful addition of water, sound, stones and plants to our little place…. Julie told me how long and hard you all worked on Saturday in the heat and humidity.

It is simply beautiful. It fits in place so seamlessly. The design, the stream and perfect bridge stone, the pond, the plantings, the sitting stone, the path - it all fits in so well, it is so elegant and soothing. As it melds into its place I can see it becoming such a special place for our clients, as well as for us here at the HG - it already is so special.

Today we have a water bug and a frog who have arrived. I have to stop myself from wandering out there to just look, pause, and feel the awe of something so lovely, and Julie, Lana and I are so, so grateful that it belongs to the HG! Our clients will be thrilled.

You have created a singular place of beauty which will benefit all who visit it. Thank you.

Elizabeth Tyson-Smith, MA, LMHC
Executive Director
Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, Inc.

Water Feature Workshop A Success!

We just wanted to send you all a quick note about yesterday's workshop. We had a wonderful and very hardworking team of about 40 Underground members who came together to build an absolutely beautiful water feature at The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden. Our group was instrumental in moving nearly 9 tons of rock, spreading 3 yards of mixed sized gravel, planting almost 200 plants, spreading loads of compost, mulch and more. It truly amazes me at what we were able to accomplish yesterday. You all were just wonderful! We hope you had fun and learned a whole lot too.


We all worked very hard and many of you (especially Ted) got good and muddy - so now its time to take just a little break and rest our aching bones.

If any of you have the opportunity to stop by the healing garden to see the results - please do. We will post pictures from yesterday's workshop as soon as we can. I think you will all be very proud of what our organization was able to do for such a wonderful cause.

Thanks to everyone who participated. You all did a really a great job!

Bridget McManus
For the Steering Committee

Water Feature Building Workshop with Jay Bearfield

Participants in the "Water Feature Building Workshop" learned first hand how to build a water feature — AND contributed to a good cause as well! We were pleased to offer this unique opportunity to participate in this day-long workshop to benefit the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden which serves as a place of healing and renewal for women suffering from breast cancer. The Underground facilitated the donation of a beautiful water feature with the help of our members. Our feature included a waterfall that provides the gentle sound of flowing water connects to a meandering woodland stream which culminates in a pool close by an existing circular sitting area. Alongside are sitting rocks so that its beauty can be enjoyed up close. A pathway leads to a natural stone bridge over the stream and to a secluded area of contemplation.

Our instructor was Jay Bearfield, Liquid Landscape Designs, Inc., Carlisle, MA

This workshop was led by Liquid Landscape Designs owner and internationally certified pond contractor, Jay Bearfield. Jay and his team taught the ‘tricks of the trade’ in building water features. Attendees learned first hand how a water feature should be located, excavated and constructed by learning how to calculate the total volume, the project materials needed, and how to put all of the parts together. Material recommendations, fish and plant stocking procedures, electrical considerations and maintenance requirements were also discussed.

In our previous workshop, using Feng Shui principles, we identified the optimal location for our feature at the healing garden. We discussed different types of features and how they might be integrated into the site. Using your design suggestions, we have taken this project to the next step. In this follow-up workshop we started with a freshly excavated area where we set the skimmer and biofalls filter. Next we layed the rock and gravel, placed the stone bridge, planted aquatic plants, installed the pump and when the water feature was filled with water, we saw the water spilling over the waterfall. Finally we surrounded the water feature with marginal and woodland plants that added to the beauty of the area. Upon the conclusion of the workshop participants will know how to install a beautiful, natural looking and ecologically friendly water feature.

Lunch was included. Attendees were asked to bring their tools - gloves, shovels, and safety gear. Due to conditions, tools, and individual skills, The Underground assumed no responsibility for any damages, injuries suffered, or losses incurred as a result of participating in this workshop. All attendees were required to sign a liability waiver in advance of participating.

Press Release - The Underground Announces the Construction of a Water Feature to Benefit The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden

Press Release July 23, 2007 - The Underground Announces the Construction of a Water Feature to Benefit The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden - downloadable file

House Bill 3182 Hearing Scheduled for July 10

We just became aware that the proposed Massachusetts House Bill 3182 hearing has been scheduled for July 10 at 10:30 a.m. in Room A-2 at the State House. To read the full text of the bill go to http://www.mass.gov/legis/hbillsrch.htm and type in 3182. Unfortunately we are not aware of changes (if any) to this bill.

As you know The Underground along with other organizations such as NELDHA, APLD and ALCM are very concerned about this bill and it's potential affects on our industry. Please visit http://www.apldne.org/legislation.htm for more information about this critical issue. If you are concerned as we are, then we suggest you write your legislators immediately and make a point to attend this upcoming hearing on Tuesday.

In particular, we are concerned with the following:

- that the bill's intention is to cancel the profession of "designer". The "related professions" only include landscape architects - page 5 section

- that the danger of this bill is not so much in the procurement of state projects as it is in the fact that Landscape Designers will not be allowed to compete in any project at all that receives state funding, which may include private and municipal institutions.

- that in order for professionals to qualify for state funded projects they will be required to be licensed, registered or certified by the Commonwealth. Currently, there is no such program in place for Landscape Design professionals. Only Landscape Architects, Land Surveyors and Professional Engineers are registered by the Commonwealth. While it has yet to be a problem, passage of this proposed legislation could significantly affect what professions are recognized by the Commonwealth.

- It is very unclear what is meant by "certified" in the context of this proposed legislation. Within the green industry, the Commonwealth does not certify individuals or currently recognize certifications without some additional process of registration.

If you would like to find out more information about this bill and the upcoming public hearing, please contact Heidi Kost-Gross, president of NELDHA, who will be happy to answer your questions.

Weir Meadow Nursery Tour with Kurt Tramposch

This was a guided tour of Weir Meadow Nursery in Wayland, MA, led by owner and plantsman, Kurt Tramposch. Weir Meadow specializes in shade perennials, select groundcovers, reblooming daylilies, and native plants.

Tucked away in a bend of the Sudbury River is a gem of a wholesale shade plant grower. Kurt Tramposch, specialty nursery owner and our host, has 34 years of experience supplying designers, contractors, garden centers and institutions throughout the Northeast — including some famous garden spots. Participants asked our expert about the choicest varieties of hardy shade perennials, hostas, ground covers, and native plants including ferns. Kurt prides himself in growing sustainably and organically. He discussed his growing practices and many of his interests.

A Weir Meadow plant list was sent to program attendees so they could come prepared to pick up an order.

New Feature - Post Your Events

We have just added a new feature to our wiki website that we thought you might like to know about. The main navigation menu on the home page now has a link to "LIST YOUR EVENT" where non-members can submit event information and have the details sent to The Underground.

Events submitted should be green industry, landscape and garden related only, and should be located in one of the following states (MA, NH, VT, ME, CT, RI, PA, NJ and NY).

Please feel free to pass along this information to all those who are interested.

Water Feature Project Announced

This summer Harvard's Virginia Thurston Healing Garden will receive a new water feature courtesy of the efforts of The Underground. You can read the article about it here.

The Healing Garden with Lisa Bailey, RLA

Held at the Tower Hill Botanic Garden, "The Healing Garden" program provided attendees information on how they could create garden spaces for healing.

The American Horticulture Therapy Association says that healing gardens are becoming increasingly common throughout the U.S., this amid growing evidence that the gardens really do heal. They improve mood, lower blood pressure and reduce stress levels.

Our guest speaker was Lisa Bailey, RLA, BayLeaf Studio, Maynard, MA

In this program participants learned how garden spaces can be made to feel safe, contemplative, exciting and healing. They found out how landscape archetypes affect our moods, and how to create a space for wellness to occur. We examined the seven essential components to creating gardens that heal. Participants in this program explored the capacity of the natural world to refresh, renew and re-engage the human spirit while promoting increased rates of healing, improved productivity and personal well-being. This program examined the healing power of landscapes on a variety of scales, from the intimate surrounds of healthcare facilities, to those of prisons, hospice facilities, eldercare homes, public parks, play areas and residential gardens.

Lisa Bailey is a registered Landscape Architect with over 25 years of experience designing public and private landscapes. She is particularly interested in bringing gardens into healthcare environments to enhance healing of the mind, body and spirit. She works from her studio at Artspace in Maynard, MA.

We Now Have 300 Members!

The Underground has reached a milestone - we now have 300 members representing (MA, NH, VT, ME, CT, RI and NY). Please continue to spread the word about our great network of professionals to your colleagues. Pass out our membership flyer or direct them to our website.

Celebrate Earth Day!

Do something good for the earth. Celebrate earth day today and everyday!

Water Feature Design Workshop with Jay Bearfield

The "Water Feature Design Workshop" provided attendees a unique opportunity to participate in the design/build of a new water feature for the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, Inc. in Harvard, MA. The garden serves as a place of healing and renewal for women suffering from breast cancer. In acknowledgment for the wonderful work that they do, The Underground facilitated the donation of goods and services to the garden. The Underground gladly accepted donations on behalf of the garden from vendors, suppliers and members to bring this project to fruition.

Instructor: Jay Bearfield, Liquid Landscape Designs, Inc., Carlisle, MA

Attendees learned how to incorporate water into their designs at our first workshop in our Artisan Educational Series focusing on the different ways to successfully implement the varying uses of water in today’s landscape. Taught by Jay Bearfield, Internationally Certified Pond Contractor, and owner & lead designer of Liquid Landscape Designs of Carlisle MA, this workshop addressed the siting, design creation and the advantages/limitations of the many types of features being installed today.

In July, our follow-up hands-on “Water Feature Building Workshop” will bring a completed design to life. At that time we will bring together all donations of materials collected during our campaign and install a beautiful water feature. We will also bring together a wonderful collective of Underground members to complete this project and we invite you to join them. Jay Bearfield will direct our participants in the installation of the water feature. All site excavation work will be done prior to installation by Ed Coykendall of Landscape Artisans and all landscape site work will be overseen by Lisa E. Bailey, Registered Landscape Architect, BayLeaf Studio.

We wish to express our sincere thanks to the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden for providing their wonderful facilities for this workshop. Thanks also to the following people who have made this workshop possible. Elizabeth Tyson-Smith, Executive Director, Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, Inc.; Jay Bearfield, Liquid Landscape Designs, Inc.; Lisa E. Bailey, Registered Landscape Architect, BayLeaf Studio; and Ed Coykendall, Landscape Artisans, MCLP, ALCM.

Press Release - The Underground Announces the Donation of a Water Feature to Benefit The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden

Press Release March 2, 2007 - The Underground Announces the Donation of a Water Feature to Benefit The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden - downloadable file

New Way to Register for Programs Through Eventbrite!

Announcing a new way to register for our educational programs and workshops! We are now using Eventbrite for our registration system.

You may now register for our programs through our wiki website. Payment for our programs can still be done via all methods of payment - by check, at the door, and now even by credit card, but online registration for our programs and workshops is highly recommended.

All major credit cards will be accepted via our secure online payment process. All processing is done through Paypal - an encrypted and secure processing service that has come to be a trusted leader in online payment solutions.

Welcome Our New Steering Member, Jay Bearfield

We would like to announce that Jay Bearfield is a new Steering Member to The Underground. Jay runs his own practice in Carlisle, MA called Liquid Landscape Designs specializing in natural and artistic water features. He is also our expert moderator for ponds and water features at our online forums, and he has been an active participant in The Underground. Jay's enthusiasm and support for our group has not gone unnoticed. We think Jay will make a wonderful addition to our management team and we would like welcome him as our newest member.

The Underground is an all volunteer based organization and we would welcome other members to join us in volunteering some time to help with educational programs, public relations, and more. If you would like to help, please contact us.

NE Grows Connections

It's the end of the second day at the New England Grows Conference and Expo and I've met some wonderful Underground members and potential members - so many very nice people. It's so great to finally be able to put faces with some of those email messages that have been posted on The Underground.

One person whom I met today was Ruth S. Foster, and she has generously offered to share her growing archive of online articles with our members. Feel free to download them and give them to your clients (with proper credit of course - see below).

Here is a brief bio that Ruth provided to let you know a bit more about herself. Ruth S. Foster is a landscape professional and arborist who also writes a lot and was garden columnist for the Boston Globe for 25 years. Her web site has unbiased, scientific information which can be downloaded and used or reprinted (free) as long as the web site is noted. Her web site is http://www.ruthsfoster.com or http://www.mothersgarden.net.

Wishing you all a great season ahead.
Bridget McManus
President, The Underground

Wiki Website No Longer Accessible

Based on feedback that we have gotten from many of our members about our wiki websites, we have made a few changes. We have eliminated the "Members Only" password protected "Notes from Underground" wiki. Many members were confused on how to log in, what the password was etc.

So this collaborative wiki website is no longer accessible (through The Underground wiki) or editable by our members. It is gone. All articles and information that resided on "Notes from Underground" have been moved to our online forums. We will continue to build content at our online forums.

The online forums are still private and password protected (to prevent spam from non-members) and we encourage those who register to use a password and ID that you will remember and keep a record of this somewhere where you can refer to it if necessary. We now have 88 registered members at the forums.

So with these changes we will no longer have a website that requires a member to log in. But we will still have sign in/log in requirements at our Yahoo group and online forums.

NE Grows Begins Tomorrow

This is a reminder to everyone to attend the upcoming New England Grows Conference and Expo February 6-8 at the at the Boston Convention & Expo Center. This is an event you should not miss!

For more information visit www.negrows.org
Don't forget to stop by and see us at our booth #2375.

We would also like to invite you to attend our member meet and greet at NE Grows on Wednesday 12:00-1:00 in room 204A. Bring your lunch and come and meet The Underground Steering members and hang out with your fellow colleagues.

Thank You to Former Steering Member, Mary Coyne

The Underground Steering Committee would like to thank Mary Coyne for her service as a Steering Committee member-at-large. Mary has been an invaluable member of our team and she will be missed. All our best wishes go out to her for a very successful career in landscape design.

With Mary's departure, the Steering Committee is looking for a few more people to join our team and help us to organize and lead - The Underground.

We have a host of ideas for professional programs, tours, roundtable discussions, collaborative efforts etc. that we would like to be able to offer to our members. But as you all know it takes time and volunteers to make it all happen. We believe that The Underground has great potential to become a networking force and vehicle for learning. So won't you join us to make it happen?

The time commitment involved for a steering member would primarily be during the off season (fall, winter and early spring) months and the term for remaining on the committee would be approximately 2 years depending on your willingness to continue according to the rules as set forth in our bylaws. You would be expected to participate in steering meetings (held in the Boston Metrowest area) which are held periodically throughout the year as determined by the committee - approximately 6-8 times per year as well as participate in online email discussions about relevant issues that may arise. Most of the day to day business is done via email.

Together we can make The Underground a huge success! If you are interested in joining our Steering Committee please contact us.

Join Professed Plant Junkie On the Forums

Join professed plant junkie and phyto-nerd, Russell Stafford, for interesting discussions on anything and everything about plants. Russell has recently posted a welcome message and suggested discussion topics to get the conversation started!

Join all our experts for information on specific topics of interest at our online forums at http://z9.invisionfree.com/theundergrnd/index.php

While you are there don't forget to pop in to visit our other experts in residence and ask your topic specific questions.

Do you have a specialty or area of expertise? Then why not join our lineup of expert moderators on The Underground Forums? We would welcome your participation. If you are interested please send email.

Thank You to Our NE Grows Volunteers!

We would like to acknowledge the following people for volunteering to help us staff our booth at the upcoming New England Grows Conference and Expo. Feel free to stop by and say hi to them next week at our booth #2375.

Kathy Tunsley
Kath Holland
Ted Chapman
Denise Pegrum
Debby McNulty
Ed Council
Susan Tuttle
Seija Halva
Sally Naish
Debra Elson
Sherri Geldersma
Judy Eisenberg
Justin Kelleher
Barbara Gee
Bruce Piper
Lisa E. Bailey
Mike Smith

Thanks to all of you for making The Underground great!
The Underground Steering Committee

Sharing Our Visions

The focus of this informal gathering "Sharing Our Visions" was to clarify your business or learning plans for the coming year, get feedback from others, and meet other members who share some aspect of your vision. There was also plenty of networking time set aside at this meeting. This program was held at the Common House on Half Moon Hill in Acton, MA and was coordinated by Dori Smith.

Winter is a great time to review your past year ... reflect on how well you met your goals ... review your priorities for the upcoming year ... and refresh your sense of purpose.

If attendees wished, they could do some writing before the meeting. The questions below were given to help focus the discussion.
- What did you learn and/or accomplish last year?
- What would you like to accomplish in the coming year?
- Does your business / learning plan reflect your deepest values?
- What would you like to change about your business or learning plan?
- How can expanding your network of colleagues - for example, networking/collaborating with people in the Underground -- help you meet your goals?

Thank You to Our NE Spring Flower Show Volunteers

We would like to thank the following members for volunteering to represent The Underground at the upcoming New England Spring Flower Show on March 20th.

Ted Chapman
Jay Bearfield
Darcy Paige
Sherri Geldersma

Thanks to everyone for making The Underground Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat!

The Underground Steering Committee