Speaker: Kathleen Haas
Program:
The emphasis on using native plants has been on the rise nationally, particularly since the 2009 publication of Douglas Tallamy’s book, Bringing Nature Home which explains the link between native plant species and their support of native wildlife. Katie will tell us more about the importance of plants native to this area and ways to bring them more into our landscapes. Specifically she will focus on some native alternatives to some of the more common and invasive non-native plants that we might find in our own gardens. Many speakers have emphasized the importance of using native plants in our gardens and landscapes which help to support our goals with the pollinator pathway as well.
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Due to the rise in Covid cases, we have shifted our meeting to Zoom. Members will automatically receive an invitation to join the Zoom meeting via email. The speaker portion of the meeting will start at 12:30. Non-members wishing to attend may contact us to request a link
Speaker Bio:
Kathleen (Katie) Haas, PLA, ASLA is a Landscape Architect for William Kenny Associates, the sister company of NATIVE A Native Plant Nursery. Katie designs landscapes for the use and recreation of people, harmoniously connecting the natural landscape and the architecture of the space. Katie's designs are influenced by her background experiences and natural love for New England. Through her studies and work she has combined her passion for the outdoors with her craft in fine art to design unique and beautiful landscapes.
Katie holds a Bachelor's of Science in Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is a member of the ASLA and through her work utilizes techniques to eradicate invasive plants and recreate the native New England garden.
Before joining WKA she worked as a landscape designer and project manager for high-end residential clients in Fairfield County Connecticut, where she gained valuable experience in garden installation and maintenance management. Prior to that, Katie worked as a design assistant for a New Jersey residential design firm working with horticulturists to bring the botanical garden to the residential landscape. While living in New Jersey she also worked as a gardener for the historic Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit New Jersey, where she practiced hands-on sustainable, ornamental horticulture. She also recently received accreditation as an organic landcare professional through NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association).