School of Horticulture
July 10, 2013 (WED) 18:30 - 20:30
Langley Campus
20901 Langley Bypass
Rm:TBA
See our flyer for more information!
Podium Finish at the Nationals!
After two long and intense days of competition it was going to be anyone's guess who would take home a medal at this year's Skills Canada National competition in the Landscape Gardening category. Team BC was represented by Kevin O'Connor and Jason Thompson.
After day one it was looking like Team BC had an edge on their competition. The second day as the last minutes ran down a huge audience was gathered to see the finish. When it ended a fantastic round of applause and cheers went up from the audience, competitors, coaches and all of the judges. Throughout the two days both students worked very hard and showed great team work and individual skills.
A special recognition was made of Team BC's Kevin O'Connor who was competing in his second national event. The judges commended Kevin on his great work and how much he had developed his skills since the 2012 National event in Edmonton.
At the closing ceremonies at the PNE Forum Kevin and Jason were confident that they would be making it to a podium. At the end they have won the first Bronze medal for BC and for KPU School of Horticulture.
Congratulations from all of us on a fantastic competition and great result!
Skills Canada Competition Pictures on FacebookScience Rendezvous
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."
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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.
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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.
The Best Apprentice Program
