A panel discussion on sustainable land care will happen on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Church at 48 Madison Street in Sag Harbor.
“Our Landscapes/Our Lives” will explore the implementation of earth-equitable practices in the face of climate and biodiversity crises. A panel of practitioners will lead an open discussion about the ecological importance, the opportunities, and the challenges of nature-based land care and how projects and commitments here can best incorporate ecological and earth-ethical principles.
Edwina von Gal, founder of the Perfect Earth Project, and the naturalist and writer Carl Safina will deliver opening remarks and moderate the discussion. The panelists are April Gornik of The Church; Sag Harbor Mayor James Larocca; Paul Munoz, chairman of East Hampton Town’s energy and sustainability committee; Marian Lindberg of the Nature Conservancy; Rick Bogusch of Bridge Gardens in Bridgehampton, and Paul Wagner of Greener Pastures Organics in Quogue.
The panel discussion will take place from 2 to 3 p.m., with the hour following dedicated to discussion and refreshments.
“I think it’s just a wonderful convergence,” Ms. von Gal, whose business promotes toxin-free lawns and landscapes, said of the growing implementation of environmentally friendly landscaping practices. Mr. Munoz’s landscaping company, Eco Harmony, employs electric and solar-powered mowers and equipment, for example. Greener Pastures Organics provides lawn care “in the most organic way possible,” and the Peconic Land Trust uses “low-impact, environmentally sensitive gardening practices” at the five-acre Bridge Gardens, according to their respective websites.
“We all have an ethical responsibility, not only to earth but to the people whose hands are working it — you’re probably not the one handling the chemicals,” Ms. von Gal said. “We’re bringing awareness to how your choices have so much effect, and how positive it can be for you to make a different choice.”
There is a suggested donation of $20 to attend. Interested groups have been asked to email Ms. von Gal at [email protected]. “I just want everyone to be there,” she said, “and really hope this is the first of many.”
