Meeting:

July 13, 2006

Guest Presenter:

Owen Dell

Topic:

Horticulture for a Very Different Future

Santa Barbara landscape architect, contractor and author, Owen Dell, will present his vision of the challenges and opportunities facing gardeners, landscape designers and horticulturists in the 21st century in his provocative lecture, Horticulture for a Very Different Future.

Owen will look ahead to a time not long from now when fossil fuels will be much too expensive to use the way we do today. A time when societal and cultural changes overwhelm the status quo and help create a very different working environment.

Dell contends that horticulture will survive, and thrive, by shifting gears from ornamentalism and purposeless consumption to the local production of food, fiber, medicine and other necessities of life, and by making a stronger commitment to genuine sustainability.

The progressive horticulturist will learn to prosper by adopting both new and very old ways of pursuing his or her work. Owen will provide an overview of the situation and specific techniques and strategies for responding positively to the changing environment.

Horticulture for a Very Different Future has been exciting and transforming audiences all over California with Owen’s timely message.

The author of the best-selling book How to Start a Home-Based Landscaping Business, Owen Dell is a regular contributor to many national horticultural publications. For the past 35 years he has owned and operated Santa Barbara’s County Landscape & Design. His work and activism in the local community have been recognized with numerous awards and honors over the years. Visit his website at www.owendell.com.

The Plant Raffle was provided by our friends at the Huntington Botanical Gardens who always bring a choice selection.