School of Horticulture
Science Rendezvous
We’re going to the Nationals!!!
The team of Kevin O’Connor (4th year Landscape Apprenticeship) and Jason Thompson (1st year Turf Management Diploma) won gold today at the Provincial Skills Canada competitions held in Abbotsford at TRADEX.
In a tight and well competed event against a great team from Camosun College, Kevin and Jason finished the Landscape Gardening competition presenting a fantastic looking garden with enough time to wash the dirt from the flag stone path and stone steps. (Believe me when I tell you that to be able to do this is amazing!!) The team was cool, collected and confident through the entire day, a testament to the preparation time both students have put in over the past three weeks to get ready for this tough and demanding competition. By lunch time they felt they were right on track for the finish allowing them time to concentrate on the fine detail and workmanship that they knew they would need to bring home the gold medal. A constant stream of public and high school students who stopped at the event area were impressed by the teamwork exhibited by Kevin and Jason. Judges for the competition had many wonderful compliments for the team and were impressed by their skills and attention to safety and installation detail.
Beginning in early May Kevin and Jason will be coming back to the school to prepare for the national competition that will occur from June 5 – 8, 2013 here in Vancouver at BC Place.
Kwantlen Turfgrass Diploma Students Ace WCTA Conference Experience
Kwantlen Turfgrass diploma students travelled to Penticton March 2-5 for the 50th WCTA Conference. Students saw the latest products at the Trade Show, learned at great presentations and networked extensively with industry professionals. They have contributed over 160 hours of volunteer efforts to conference organization
Buckner, a Kwantlen Turfgrass alumni, lauded the students at conference closing, saying: “Kwantlen students did a phenomenal job with setup, administration and fundraising. All their hard work was greatly appreciated by the WCTA”.
Turf student Glen Atamanik said: “The conference was an eye opening experience into the turf grass industry. This conference has taught me that there is a lot more then meets the eye when becoming a turf manager. I have a new motivation now because of the exposure to all of the professional managers, dealers, and speakers that I was able to meet and I will bring this experience with me where ever I may be for years to come”.
Note from the WCTA Executive Director: ... "I would like to personally thank the Kwantlen Turf Club students for their efforts, without which we could not have done all the things you just read about - help from the students is invaluable to the show. There is a wonderful culture that has developed at KPU, or should I say nurtured? However it's come to be, the hard work, determination, positivity and professionalism is certainly being noticed."
Read the full artricle
Research on Green Roof Establishment, Viability and Maintenance
Michelle Nakano has completed a three year research project on the influence of different propagation materials and maintenance frequencies on green roof plant establishment and viability.
Over an 18-month green roof establishment period it was determined that (although higher in cost when compared to plant cuttings), plant plugs provide a feasible compromise between cost, risks, and rapid coverage during establishment.
Given the seasonal timing of installation and the availability of water, a combination of plugs and cuttings with a weeding frequency of once per year would further mitigate costs and enhance the rate of green roof establishment and coverage.
Read the complete article…
Apprentice Grads of 2013
Stage Setting Design for KPU’s Gala
In collaboration with the Faculty of Design, Horticulture students and faculty designed and installed the stage setting for KPU’s Gala Screening and Dialogue with Margaret Atwood and Dr. William Rees. After commenting on hearing that all the plants were either edible or locally produced, Ms. Atwood described the setting as “both attractive and virtuous..as I like to think of myself.”
After the event, over 200 attendees were invited to take away the edibles and potted flowers that were seeded and grown by our own staff and students in the Field Lab. Congratulations to all you fantastic volunteers for helping to make Kwantlen and the School of Horticulture shine in the public spotlight.
Branching Out Career Day
“The opportunity to meet and network with people in the industry is a valuable resource. To hear some of the stories of former students who have taken that next step and made a successful career in the horticulture industry was very motivating. The fact that Brian Minter and so many other potential employers from all over the Lower Mainland and Interior were willing to take time out of their busy schedules to attend this Kwantlen event and speak with students is a amazing.”
Scott -2nd yr Landscape
The Best Apprentice Program
It was an action filled semester for the Turf Management Students
The Turfies had a lot of fieldtrips this semester where they went to see Kings Links, Target, Vancouver Golf Club, Langley Township Parks, Morgan Creek, Terralink, Surrey Parks and TDS. Highlight trip was to Seattle for grounds tours of Safeco Field and Chambers Bay. They also conducted several successful fundraising events; two golf tournaments, a Lawn Bowling social, Poinsettia sale, golf pass raffles to mention a few. Proceeds they have collected support the WCTA dues of students, Conference costs and a Turfgrass Research Fund donation.
