This course contains both ecological foundations and practical applications related to pollinators. It specifically highlights pollinators in and around New England, as well as regional considerations for pollinator habitat. Key takeaways are relevant globally. Students will come away with a well-rounded understanding of pollinator habitat creation and evaluation, as well as tools to educate others on the creation, maintenance, and importance of such habitats.

The Mad Gardeners 2026 Symposium will feature three terrific speakers: Lee Clippard, Executive Director of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, will speak about the center, its native plant database and their research on wildflower meadows; Cassie Banning, the Director of Farm and Gardens at the Mt. Desert Land & Garden Preserve, will speak about the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden, a 1920s collaborative design between Mrs. Rockefeller and Beatrix Farrand, and the over 160 annual varieties in its ten-thousand-square-foot border; and Madeline Hooper, creator and host of the public broadcasting series GardenFit, will lead a fun, interactive class on how to use your body to garden without causing aches and pains.

Organic and ecological landscaping is more than purchasing amendments or avoiding herbicides—it begins with building healthy soil. If you (or your clients) are concerned about weed pressure, erosion, drought stress, or long-term input costs, strengthening soil function is one of the most effective solutions. In this workshop, we’ll explore how soil health underpins successful landscapes, whether you’re managing properties professionally or stewarding a home garden. Facilitators will introduce practical tools and strategies to help you assess soil conditions and make more informed, site-specific decisions.

In Northwestern North America, wetlands (bogs, estuaries, swamps, ponds, tidal marshes), have been fundamental habitats and biodiversity hotspots. For over 14,000 years, these special ecosystems have provided First Peoples of the region with important foods, medicines, and materials. Many of our wetlands today have deteriorated and are in serious need of restoration.

Bird populations are declining at an alarming rate due to habitat loss, climate change, and pesticides. Fortunately, there are simple actions you can take to restore critical bird habitat in your yards and gardens. In this talk, Desirée will share her research on the importance of native plants to food webs, why insects matter for bird conservation, and the practical steps you can take to support bird habitat throughout the year.

This education program will introduce youth and young adults (ages 16-30) to the field of ecology-based landscape practice, followed by networking with local landscape professionals.

The Caterpillar Lab will present a photograph and video packed talk that explores the nighttime world of caterpillars, moths, and how to find them. Join us to learn how we can explore our own backyard habitats through the eyes of a moth, using UV and special light traps to uncover a whole new perspective. This special lecture will include time to meet a few special caterpillar specimens up close, and chat with Caterpillar Lab educators about all things local caterpillar. In-person attendees will also get to try out blacklight flashlights!

Under the tutelage of CT NOFA Soil Health Program Manager, Monique Bosch, Soil Health 3-Ways participants will attend three virtual classes (via Zoom) that cover the three main properties of soil – physical, chemical, and biological – in the lead-up to an in-person, practical application class. This 4-class course is intended for both commercial farmers and home gardeners to help them work with nature to produce healthy plants and nutrient-dense food.

Join Landscape Designer Larry Weaner and native plant expert Ian Caton on a deep dive into the integration of restoration ecology and garden design. From technical instruction to personal anecdotes in this on-demand virtual course, Larry and Ian share over 70 years of combined experience on the fine points of designing, planting, and managing ecology-based landscapes.

UMass Extension’s Green School is a comprehensive 60+ hour certificate short course that offers fundamental land care skills training in a compact time frame. The program is designed for professional practitioners such as landscapers, lawn care providers, nursery operators, public and private grounds managers, arborists, professional gardeners, landscape and garden designers, industry sales and support professionals, and others in the green industries. Both experienced professionals as well as those new to the industry will benefit from this course.

Theme: From Awareness to Action: Strengthening Our Response to Invasive Plants

Join us for Rooted in Place: The Living Forest, an engaging day of conversation, learning, and exploration focused on the remarkable ecological, cultural, and community connections that make forests essential to our lives. From carbon storage and climate resilience to tree health, forest management and the remarkable relationships between species, this symposium brings together ecologists, foresters, educators, and land stewards to explore what makes a forest a living, interconnected system and how we can become better stewards of it.

CT NOFA's 45th annual winter conference will be taking place March 13, 2027, at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. It will be preceded by 3 days of virtual workshops, March 9-11, and will include a dedicated Organic Land Care workshop track.