Speaker: Dr. Wei Zhang, Assistant Professor

My Educational Programs / Sessions @ Nursery/Landscape EXPO

ISA CEU Sessions: Successful Tree Planting Projects Require More than Just Planting
Wednesday, August 9 -- 9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
There are many “Millions Trees XYZ City” projects! The passion of tree planting peaks in March and dissipates quickly. Although those trees require 2-5 yrs of watering, it is rarely planned/budgeted. Trees die, but the poorly planned tree planting repeats year after year. Even if there may be plenty of rainfall, the real limitation is the plant available water. Most rainwater is wasted. Sign up to learn how to make the most out of the rainfall. During this session you will be able to:  Explain the benefits and importance of growing trees where people live from social, environmental, economic, and health aspects.  Recognize common causes of plant death in urban environment, which is known to be a harsh growing environment.  Evaluate new technologies that help to solve the watering challenges with natural rainfall and by increasing the available plant water. Wei Zhang holds a Ph.D. degree in Engineering from Virginia Tech. He has been doing research & development for the green industry for 15 years. His research areas include watering solutions for landscape plants, relationship of soil/water/air, plant protection against stresses like drought and road salt. His work also provides novel solutions to green stormwater infrastructures, for which plants are used for the treatment of pollutants in stormwater. He has more than 40+ peer-reviewed scientific journal articles, one monograph and 200+ conference presentations. He has been a frequent speaker on Arboriculture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Forestry, Stormwater Green Infrastructure, and related conferences and symposiums. He is known as a scientist, educator and public speaker. Dr. Zhang is an ASLA approved LA CES provider. Dean Albertyis the Senior Chair of the Missouri Community Forestry Council. The Chair position helps set the course of our council and promotes growth and development for our organization. The Council covers the State of Missouri Urban Forestry professionals and stretches to neighboring states that benefit from the extensive organization and growth of the Missouri Council. In addition, Dean is involved in growing better trees and helping people grow better trees as CEO of Deep Roots Microbiome Company from the years of experience improving tree growth and production.

About Our Speaker:

Dr. Wei Zhang, Assistant Professor at Virginia Tech - Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics
Wei Zhang's research focuses on the environmental and resource-use implications of agricultural production and the design of agri-environmental policy. She has also conducted research on environmental and agricultural issues in China and other developing countries.

Virginia Tech - Agricultural Research and Extension Centers.
The Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station performs research on food and fiber systems, on their impact on the environment, and relating to the future needs of Virginia, the nation, and the world. VAES has faculty members at 11 agricultural research and Extension centers and throughout the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech.

The sites, totaling almost 4,300 acres, represent the commonwealth’s diversity and take advantage of the unique characteristics and challenges found in each location. AREC faculty and staff members and faculty from the main campus deliver research and Extension programs at these sites. The ARECs serve not only as key field research sites, but also as field laboratories for undergraduate and graduate students and field day program sites for producers, school groups, and other citizens.

Address: 1444 Diamond Sprinngs Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Email: jim.owen@vt.edu
Contact: James Owen, PhD
Phone: (757) 363-3904 FAX: (757) 363-3950