Impact Conference

2022

Nina A. Koziol

When ILCA introduced the Impact

Conference in 2017, there were great expectations and the 250-plus attendees at this year’s event were not disappointed. The full-day sessions at the Chicago Botanic Garden last month covered a range of issues from sustainable and ecological practices to design and implementation.

“It’s good to step outside your everyday routine and get new information,” said landscape architect Jennifer Oliver who works for the McHenry County Conservation District. This was her third Impact conference. “You return to your routine more inspired. There’s more networking and it’s energizing.”

The program kicked off with a presentation from staff at Hoerr Schaudt who discussed the challenges and design ideas behind The Meadow at the Old Chicago Post Office. The space was transformed into the nation’s largest private rooftop garden perched above a modern workplace. “The most sustainable building is the one that’s already built,” said Stan Szwalek, Hoerr Schaudt principal. “There were many design constraints; the building needed a whole new roof because it was never designed for a green space.”

The result is a stunning meadow on top of a building that spans an entire city block and is the size of four football fields. “It’s a park up in the sky,” Szwalek said. The space might look a tiny bit familiar. “There’s a strong parallel with the Lurie Garden, but the intent wasn’t to design a Lurie Garden-knockoff,” said Ann Weiland, Hoerr Schaudt associate principal. Plants appear in large blocks and the overall design is a nod to the building’s Art Deco motifs. There are four plant palettes with 12 to 15 plants in each. “Each palette is unique. We looked at plant hardiness and bloom time and most plants are hardy to zone 4.”

“This was every contractor’s dream project and then January came, with ice, the harshness of the site and the sheer exposure,” said Shawn Weidner, Hoerr Schaudt principal. Enormous amounts of gravel, soil and other materials were delivered by freight elevator and helicopter. “When you’re there in the space you don’t feel like you’re on a roof,” Weidner said. The project was completed in 2020 and is a stunning example of a 10-story-high green space filled with beautiful natives and native cultivars.

“I really enjoyed the keynote,” said landscape architect Jen Czaja of Sebert Landscape. “Early in my career I wanted to do that kind of work. I like to use native plants when I can and I use nativars. I personally don’s see them as an issue.” Others agreed. “The keynote presentation was great,” Oliver said. “I’ve done green roofs and I like how they shared the process from beginning to end.”

Presentations also focused on improving environmental quality using native plants, action plans for sustainability, native plant maintenance, transitioning lawns and the move to

zero-emissions equipment. Father and son team, Paul and Tom Klitzkie of Nature’s Perspective Landscaping in Evanston moderated a group discussion on zero-emissions equipment. “We want to look at commercial viability and find ways to move from our gas-powered equipment,” Paul Klitzkie said.

ILCA Executive Director Scott Grams took part in the discussion. “There are two groups to keep an eye on—the OPEI (Outdoor Power Equipment Institute—www.opei.org) and the AGZA (American Green Zone Alliance— https://agza.net/).” He also recommended that the industry adopt the terminology “ZEE” or Zero Engine Emissions for consistency rather than “electrics.”

(continued on page 34)

(continued from page 33)

Several attendees noted that their companies either have some battery operated equipment or they are exploring what’s available. “We’ve tried a lot of equipment and we’re moving to zero emissions,” said Luis Mata, maintenance operations manager at Chalet in Wilmette.

Refugia’s Jeff Lorenz shared talking points for landscapers seeking to make the shift to ecological designbuild. Break-out sessions and small group discussions discussed creating sustainable action plans and ways that industry can better educate consumers. The small-group discussion format was new this year. “We wanted it to be interactive,” Grams said.

Nathan and Lola Wright, cofounders of Nathan Wright Landscape Design and Nuluum shared their vision of a sustainable business that pays people generously to become experts at doing what they love. They looked at organizational fears of not having enough time, energy, money, good weather, good labor and ways to address those concerns. And, Paul Brown, owner of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Kansas City, Missouri, talked about native plants and eco-landscaping challenges. “The loss cycle of pollinators is cumulative. As an installer, plant choice matters. When you walk through with a client, you should know what you want to change—like shrink the lawn.”

Benjamin Vogt, Monarch Gardens in Nebraska, ended the day with a livevirtual and inspirational presentation, “Unlawning Suburbia: Lessons in the Design, Management, and Activism of Prairie-Inspired Yards.”

“I know in Illinois you’re at the forefront of sustainability,” said Katie Miroslaw, a student at the Milwaukee Area Technical College who came with seven attendees from Wisconsin. “I had a friend who attended the Impact Conference last year and said it was a really good program. I came because I’ll be working in the landscape industry and wanted to learn more.” Watch for more information about the presentations in future issues.

Looking for educational opportunities? https://ilca.net/educational-events/

WE ARE THANKFUL Thank you for your support. We appreciate your business and look forward to serving you In 2023.

• GREENHOUSE & NURSERY MIXES • BAGGED GOODS • LANDSCAPE MULCHES • SOIL AMENDMENTS • HORTICULTURAL SUPPLIES www.midwest-trading.com

630-365-1990 Maple Park, Illinois mtsales@midwest-trading.com