Agenda

Webinar instructions will be emailed 24-48 business hours before the date of the webinar.
Please log into the webinar 15 – 30 minutes before start time.


Monday, January 12, 2026
9:00 am – 4:00 pm CST


Agenda:

Prescribed Fires as Reintroduction of Disturbance Regimes for Fire-Adapted Land Management
Presented by Matthew Seibert

Key Concepts in Ecology for Site Design
Presented by Kelly Gutkowski

  • Conservation biology
  • Landscape ecology
  • Restoration ecology

Using Trees for Cooling
Presented by Sherry Fabricant, MLA

  • The science of microclimates around trees
    • Evapotranspiration, shade and wind
  • Planning to use trees for cooling
  • Type, location, placement

Rainwater Harvesting
Presented by Steve Williams

  • Addressing local water shortages as well as excess stormwater runoff
  • Rainwater storage and reuse as a historical solution to these problems
  • Different types of water resources: potable water, stormwater, wastewater
  • Uses for harvested rainwater
  • Catchment and storage of harvested rainwater
  • Treatment options
  • Reusing harvested rainwater
  • Integration with other water reuse systems

Focus on Native Plants
Presented by Jessica Lubell-Brand

  • Native shrubs and their landscapes in the Northeast
  • Native shrub species in the U.S.
  • Native trees

 

Webinar Instructions 
 
All attendees must log-on through their own email – attendees may not watch together if they wish to earn continuing education credit. HalfMoon Education Inc. must be able to prove attendance if either the attendee or HalfMoon Education Inc. is audited. 

Certificates of completion can be downloaded in PDF form upon passing a short quiz. A link to the quiz will be sent to each qualifying attendee immediately after the webinar. The certificate can be downloaded from the Results page of the quiz upon scoring 80% or higher. 

Webinars are presented via GoToWebinar, an easy-to-use application that can be run on most systems and tablets. Instructions and login information will be provided in an email sent close to the date of the webinar. It is highly recommended that you download, install and test the application before the webinar begins by clicking on the link in the email. 

GoToWebinar App requirements:  
Windows 10 or higher, macOS 11 or higher, Linux, Google Chrome OS 

Web Browser:  
Google Chrome (most recent 3 versions) 
Microsoft Edge (most recent 3 versions) 

Internet connection: 1 Mbps or better 

Hardware:  2GB of RAM (minimum), 4GB or more of RAM (recommended) 

For more information, visit the Support section at www.gotowebinar.com 

Credits

Engineers
6.0 PDHs

Architects
6.0 HSW CE Hours

AIA - American Institute of Architects
6.0 HSW LUs

Landscape Architects
6.0 HSW CE Hours

LACES - Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System
6.0 HSW PDHs

 

Continuing Education Information

This webinar is open to the public and is designed to qualify for 6.0 PDHs for professional engineers, 6.0 HSW continuing education hours for licensed architects, and 6.0 HSW continuing education hours for landscape architects in all states that allow this learning method. Please refer to specific state rules to determine eligibility.

HalfMoon Education is an approved continuing education sponsor for engineers in Florida (Provider License No: CEA362), Indiana (License No. CE21700059), Maryland, and New Jersey (Approval No. 24GP00049300). HalfMoon Education is deemed an approved continuing education sponsor for New York engineers, architects and landscape architects via its registration with the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System (AIA/CES) and the Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System (LA/CES). Other states do not preapprove continuing education providers or courses.

The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System has approved this course for 6.0 HSW LUs (Sponsor No. J885). Only full participation is reportable to the AIA/CES.

The Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System has approved this course for 6.0 HSW PDHs. Only full participation is reportable to the LA CES.

Attendance will be monitored, and attendance certificates will be available after the webinar for those who attend the entire course and score a minimum 80% on the quiz that follows the course (multiple attempts allowed).

*On-Demand Credits*

The preceding credit information only applies to the live presentation. This course in an on-demand format is not pre-approved by any licensing boards and may not qualify for the same credits; please consult your licensing board(s) to ensure that a structured, asynchronous learning format is appropriate. The following pre-approvals may be available for the on-demand format upon request:

6.0 HSW LUs (AIA)
6.0 HSW PDHs (LA CES)

Speakers

Sherry Fabricant, MLA

SavATree Consulting Group

Ms. Fabricant, MLA, is a registered consulting arborist operating out of SavATree’s Dallas-Fort Worth branch providing comprehensive tree and shrub care services. Some popular services that she offers to clients include tree risk assessment, tree and landscape appraisal, permitting, construction and compliance, tree surveys and preservation plans, municipal services, and more. Ms. Fabricant has diverse experience working in arboriculture-horticulture, design, and business. She has been a lifelong volunteer and liaison focusing on environmental sustainability and recovery projects. Ms. Fabricant earned her master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from The University of Texas at Arlington.

Kelly Gutkowski

Environmental Project Manager | Senior Associate, Rodgers Consulting Inc.

Ms. Gutkowski is an Environmental Project Manager, ISA Certified Arborist, and ESA Certified Ecologist with over six years of experience in ecological assessment, restoration planning, and environmental permitting. At Rodgers Consulting, she leads natural resource strategies for development projects across Maryland, including forest stand delineations, stream restoration planning, and ecological inventories. With a Master of Science in Conservation Science from the University of Queensland, Kelly brings a strong academic foundation in ecological research, including work on coral reef and seagrass ecosystems, genetic and paleoecological analysis, and advanced statistical modeling. Kelly has extensive experience guiding environmental review and permitting for diverse development and infrastructure projects. She routinely deciphers ecological data into regulatory guidance, technical documentation, and stakeholder communication, helping clients and agencies achieve balanced outcomes that integrate ecological sensitivity with sustainable growth. Through her leadership, Kelly applies ecological science to guide evidence-based planning and stewardship that support resilient landscapes and thriving communities.

Jessica Lubell-Brand

Professor, Horticulture, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Connecticut

Ms. Lubell-Brand is a professor of Horticulture at the University of Connecticut. Her research and outreach on native plants has focused on the identification and development of novel species as landscape plants and their propagation to broaden the palette of natives available to consumers. She earned her B.A. degree from the University of Rochester, her M.S. degree from the University of Connecticut and her Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut.

Mattthew Seibert

Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Virginia

Mr. Seibert’s work explores how people relate to the landscapes that sustain them, questioning dominant ways of seeing and knowing the world. Through teaching, writing, and design, he seeks to imagine more just, reciprocal, and promising futures.

Steve Williams

Certified Commercial, Hotel & Restaurant Water Auditor

After 20 years in photography creating art, and selling and installing professional photography equipment, Mr. Williams decided to change careers and make the world a better place by becoming a LEED accredited professional through the US Green Building Council in 2006. LEED introduced him to water issues. Then there was drought. With a love of rivers and appreciation of water, he decided to focus on rainwater harvesting and water efficiency as Georgia entered its worst drought in its history from 2006 – 2009. In 2007, Mr. Williams started designing and installing rain harvesting systems. In 2008, he became an American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association accredited professional, ARCSA AP, and is currently a regional representative. In 2012, Mr. Williams began auditing commercial, institutional and multifamily buildings’ water use and providing solutions to reduce water use primarily through fixture upgrades. He spent the next several years auditing commercial, institutional and multifamily buildings as part of his job in sales and account management working for several different companies. In 2013, he landed the contract for fixture upgrades for the Bank of America Plaza’s LEED Silver Certification, reducing water by 57 percent, receiving all seven points and saving 2,669,360 gallons per year. The project won the USGBC’s Ebie award for water efficiency, the Atlanta Metro Chamber’s E3 award for water, the USGBC – GA Chrysalis award as well as the Atlanta Better Building Challenge award. In 2019, Mr. Williams started representing Sustainable Water’s WaterHub water recycling system that uses eco-engineering processes to clean wastewater for non-potable needs. Sustainable Water brought the WaterHub to Emory University, recycling more than 400,000 gallons daily. Currently, he is designing and installing rainwater systems in Georgia and helping others use water more efficiently through water audits, billing assessments and fixture recommendations. Mr. Williams is chair of the Ocmulgee Basin Advisory Committee of the Metro North Georgia Water Planning District and has been active since 2007. He still creates art though his photography.

 

AIA Info

AIA Provider Statement: 

HalfMoon Education Inc. is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number J885. All registered AIA/CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider of learning program may be sent to AIA/CES (cesupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3). 

This learning program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. 

AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA/CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request. 

Course Title:  Current Issues in Landscape Architecture in the Northeastern US

Delivery Method: Live Online 

Course Description: This six-hour course examines contemporary ecological and design issues shaping landscape architecture in the Northeastern United States. Topics include fire-adapted land management, ecological principles for site design, the role of trees in microclimate control, rainwater harvesting systems, and the use of native plants to enhance environmental resilience and site performance.

Learning Objectives: 

Learning Objective 1: Learners will be able to explain how prescribed fire can be used as a tool for restoring fire-adapted ecosystems and improving site resilience in the Northeastern U.S.

Learning Objective 2: Learners will be able to apply key ecological concepts—such as conservation biology, landscape ecology, and restoration ecology—to site design and planning.

Learning Objective 3: Learners will be able to design and evaluate landscape strategies that utilize trees for passive cooling, including considerations of microclimate, placement, and species selection.

Learning Objective 4: Learners will be able to integrate rainwater harvesting and native plant selection into landscape and architectural projects to address water management, sustainability, and regional environmental goals.

LUs: 6.0

LU Type: LU|HSWs 

Prerequisites: None

Advance Preparation: None 

Program Level: Intermediate 

Course Expiration Date:  10/15/2028

Complaint Resolution Policy: 

Complaints regarding this course can be emailed to fchapman@halfmoonseminars.org or by calling (715) 835-5900. A HalfMoon Education representative will respond within 72 hours to resolve the complaint, which will include, but not limited to, access to another CE activity at no or reduced cost or a full or partial refund. Each instance will be resolved on a case-by-case situation.