With spring in the air, the Niagara County Community College Horticulture Program is holding the first of two horticulture seminars April 17 from 9 a.m. to noon titled “Landscape Architecture in WNY – The Past and The Future”. The seminar series is presented as part of the USDA Agriculture Education Challenge Grant awarded to NCCC.

The seminar will explore the unique landscape architectural heritage of Western New York. Then, look to the future with the Sustainable Sites Initiative and green techniques to preserve and promote the beauty in the environment.

Nancy Knechtel, professor of Arts & Media Design at NCCC, will speak about the contributions of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux to Western New York’s landscape.

Joy Kuebler, registered landscape architect, will delve into the Sustainable Sites Initiative and its value to the preservation of landscape architectural heritage.

Greg Robinson, Olmsted Park’s landscape architect, will talk about the Olmsted Parks Conservancy and its master plan.

The seminar is in room C-161 with on-site registration at 8:30 a.m. Admission is $5 in advance or $7 at the door. Early registration is recommended by calling 716-614-6470 or for more information contact NCCC Horticulture Program Coordinator and Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional (CNLP) Carolyn Stanko at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .