12:32 p.m., June 5, 2009----Graduating fellows presented the results of their thesis research during the Longwood Graduate Program in Public Horticulture research seminars held May 29 at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pa.

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Topics included community tree planting, the effects of natural disasters on public gardens, historical preservation and public horticulture, and expanding a program of botanical exchange between the United States and China.

Seminar presenters were graduating fellows Jackie Bergquist, of Hayward, Calif., Dan Burcham, of Montpelier, Ohio, Matt Quirey, of Blackwell, Okla., and Barnabas Seyler, of Walkersville, Md.

Bergquist discussed “The Development of a Natural Disaster Planning Template for use in Plant Collections Management.” She noted that while living collections in botanical and public gardens usually benefit from contact with metrological elements, such contact can also cause destruction during extreme weather conditions.

Bergquist's research resulted in the formulation of a template to aid public gardens in natural disaster planning process.

Burcham's research topic was “Urban Forest Management for Multiple Benefits: An Analysis of Tree Establishment Strategies Used by Community Tree Planting Programs.” While adequate research is available for describing the nature, extent and valuation of the amenities provided by urban trees, Burcham noted additional investigation is required concerning the management strategies used to sustain these benefits.

His research indicated that universal strategies for advancing tree establishment include having a well-defined program mission, reliable financial support, community involvement, program standards and polices and a clear tree planting workflow.

Quirey presented his research on “An Analysis of Historic Significance and Its Impact on Public Horticulture Institutions.” He noted that preservations efforts in America did not garner national attention until the Antiquities Act of 1906, and that subsequent legislation, National Parks Service programs and non-profit advocacy group have confirmed an increasing interest to value places of historical significance, including cultural landscapes.

In light of potentially decreased funding due to tight economic constraints, Quirey's research indicated that to continue their role as integral parts of their communities, public horticultural institutions must present a clear understanding of the importance of considering historic significance in the decision making process.

Seyler focused his thesis efforts on “Sino-American Botanical Exchange: Encouraging Greater Botanical Collaboration Through a Mutually Beneficial Staff Exchange Program.” His study investigated the potential development of a Sino-American horticultural staff exchange program modeled after the Interchange Fellowship/Martin McLaren Scholarship program as administered by the Garden Club of America and the Royal Horticultural Society.

Besides creating a resource network available to non-associated individuals or institutions wishing to collaborate, Seyler noted that the proposed exchange program will unite the resources and mutual interests of public gardens in the United States and China, coordinate their abilities, and keep them connected to the best minds and future horticultural leaders within their prospective countries.

Robert Lyons, professor of landscape horticulture and director the Longwood Graduate Program in Public Horticulture, said the seminars were well received by the 60 attendees.

“There was no shortage of questions,” Lyons, who also is director of UD's Center for Public Horticulture, said. “I believe the diversity of topics kept the audience members focused on each speaker's talk throughout the afternoon.”

Lyons noted that the seminars give students the opportunity to articulate the results of their research to their professional peers and colleagues in an atmosphere of constructive scrutiny.

Recent changes in the Longwood Graduate Program, Lyons said, include the incorporation of a “Professional Outreach Project,” whereby all 10 grad students work together to help a client organization.

“Students first identify an area in public horticulture that they wish to learn more about outside of the classroom, then they match their interests with an organization that needs such assistance, identifying tangibles that the organization may not have been able to produce without the students involvement,” Lyons said. “To date, we have worked with Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, Welkinweir Aboretum in Pottstown, Pa., and are now working with Bartram's Garden in Philadelphia.”

Article by Jerry Rhodes