Sweet Auburn: The Magazine of the Friends of Mount Auburn An Oasis for Birds and Birders | Page 23

Greenhouse Construction Begins Our vision to build a new greenhouse complex as the initial phase in our proposed multi-year plan is becoming a reality. Construction of the glass houses will begin this summer. The diversity of the horticultural collections at Mount Auburn is largely the result of our in-house plant production program that has been in existence for over 150 years. With state-of-the-art open roof venting, the greenhouse facility will allow increased plant production with lower space requirements, while significantly reducing energy/utility demands. The advanced propagation technologies that will be included in the new greenhouse facility will enhance our capacity to continue these efforts. Our staff will be able to more economically produce a wide range of hard-to-find and/or historically appropriate plants as we strive to pre- serve and enhance Mount Auburn’s historically significant landscape for future generations. Mount Auburn’s in-house production of woody plants has been ramping up over the past few years. Prior to our new facility coming on-line, we’re gaining more propagation expertise. In our continuing effort to improve our sustainability record and enhance the landscape, we have a pressing need for larger quantities of affordable plants. In-house plant production from our greenhouse and nursery supports at least three of our planting initiatives. First, to reduce maintenance and greenhouse gas emissions from lawn mowers, we’re replacing turf with groundcovers inside lots bounded by granite curbing and iron fences, or on top of lots with underground tombs. Second, we’re enhancing the character of the landscape that has been categorized into different, distinct zones throughout the grounds (e.g., the Victorian period). Lastly, we’re increasing diversity in the conifer collection in response to the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid problem. These three planting initiatives are part of our ongoing efforts to build a more sustainable landscape at Mount Auburn for the 21st century. We are committed to this project, including the larger scope of expansion in the new Horticulture Center, which is intended to achieve Platinum certification, the highest from the Leadership in Energy and Environmen- tal Design (LEED) program of the U.S. Green Building Council, and we continue our fundraising efforts with a wholehearted resolve. To make a gift towards this important horticultural initiative, please contact Jane M. Carroll, Vice President of Development, at 617-607-1919 or [email protected]. Spring/Summer 2012 | 21