Symposium on Garden & Landscape Design

A two-day Symposium on the positive impact of garden and landscape design on the environment is being organised by the Society of Garden Designers (SGD) at RHS Garden Wisley on 9th and 10th June, 2022.

The Symposium will bring together some of the most influential garden and landscape designers working in sustainable and ecological design today and will address the deepening climate crisis as well as the positive impact garden and landscape design can have on the environment.

There will be a mix of talks, panel debates and round-table discussions under a broad theme of ‘Past, Present and Future’ with the ambition to debate a ‘future aesthetic’ and explore how gardens and landscapes can be created with the guiding principle of increased wildlife biodiversity and doing what is best for the land.

Andrew Duff MSGD, Co Chair of the Symposium and Vice Chair of the SGD said:

”The world is at a pivotal point with the deepening climate crisis and as garden designers, we need to be aware of the vital role we can play in the planet’s future. We know that gardens and landscapes which support and encourage nature can provide one of the best defences against climate change, so the need to work sustainably has never been more important. This is why the SGD is holding a two-day Symposium.  We want to empower the industry, join forces and forge plans for a responsible and rewarding future in the way we all practice.”

Confirmed keynote speakers will include Dane Pearson OBE MSGD, Bernard Trainor, Charlie Harpur and Marian Boswall MSGD. Other highly acclaimed speakers include Sarah Eberle FSGD, Tom Massey MSGD and Noel Kingsbury.

Delegates will be encouraged to share their own thoughts and expertise in round-table discussions, drawing together the threads that will be contributing to a new SGD Manifesto to form a blueprint for the way SGD members practice in the future.

Given the significance of the environmental issues being discussed at the Symposium, the SGD has implemented a no-fly policy for the event. Bernard Trainor will be speaking live from one of his gardens in California and Noel Kingsbury will be speaking live from his home in Portugal.

Early bird tickets are available until 28th April 2022. For information please visit:
www.sgd.org.uk/events/symposium

Picture credit: Banner image: Garden by Tom Massey MSGD © Alister Thorpe