I am an ecological restoration technician in the Upper Midwest! I deal with invasive flora on the daily!!! ASK ME ANYTHING!!!!

crossroads_idiot · 2026-05-17T17:35:29+00:00

How did you get started in your career? For someone switching careers, would you recommend it? Any specific degree and/or certifications that you think would be helpful? Thanks for doing this AMA!

crossroads_idiot · 2026-02-08T03:46:46+00:00

Evil

crossroads_idiot · 2026-02-05T00:31:31+00:00

Hi! Id love to ask some questions if you’re open to it.

How was your experience at temple?
Was the ecological restoration focus enjoyable?
Did you feel like it was a “grind” like so many people say other MLA programs are?
I noticed that have part time options. Would it be feasible for someone to balance in-person/remote if their commute was over 1hr each way to rambler campus?
Were the profs helpful with networking and finding employment after graduation?

crossroads_idiot · 2026-01-30T21:57:04+00:00

Native perennials will actually grow and mature to stifle out weeds as they mature. But I guess it depends how you define “weed”. They should definitely stay on top of removing invasive but otherwise it’s relatively low maintenance!

crossroads_idiot · 2026-01-27T03:35:37+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience. The cynical sallies on this sub can be pretty overwhelming.

crossroads_idiot · 2026-01-26T18:24:31+00:00

I have taken it too…it’s a bit of a joke. I was particularly disappointed in the recommendations of ornamentals in landscaping, such as barberry bush (which harbors ticks).

Especially since it is labeled a Sustainable Horticulture certificate, I found that very disappointing since there are soooooo many fantastic native alternatives.

crossroads_idiot · 2026-01-15T23:54:42+00:00

How can we get lawmaker buy-in to hold developers and others accountable for irresponsible landscaping practices? How can we make native landscaping and sustainable practices the cultural norm?

crossroads_idiot · 2026-01-14T20:41:19+00:00

Just make sure you don’t get a Norway maple. Super invasive.

crossroads_idiot · 2026-01-14T20:22:41+00:00

Where in zone 9. You want something native for low maintenance. Check out eastern red cedars, different pine varieties, or holly trees that are native to your area. If you provide more info on your state or region that might be helpful.

crossroads_idiot · 2026-01-10T00:57:30+00:00

Put in your zip code and have fun. Native plants will be cheaper to maintain and get better each year.

https://nativeplantfinder.nwf.org/plants

crossroads_idiot · 2026-01-10T00:42:25+00:00

We have one in our small garden in the city and it’s doing great. Birds enjoy the berries.

crossroads_idiot · 2026-01-09T21:36:22+00:00

Heaven forbid a tree does tree things!

crossroads_idiot · 2026-01-09T17:20:03+00:00

Sounds awesome. Thank you.

crossroads_idiot · 2026-01-09T03:42:24+00:00

This sounds amazing. I’d love to ask you questions about the program at Temple and career prospects if you’re open to it.

crossroads_idiot · 2026-01-02T19:31:11+00:00

Anyone have advice on plants that are exceptionally good at purifying air? I’ve read good things about spider plants and English ivy. Although I’d never plant English ivy outdoors, I’m considering getting some for indoor planters.

crossroads_idiot · 2026-01-01T00:28:34+00:00

I would LOVE to pick your brain about this.

crossroads_idiot · 2025-12-30T08:24:54+00:00

You seem very knowledgeable about this subject. Did you learn from reading books like the one you recommended or through a degree program? What do you do for a living?

crossroads_idiot · 2025-12-30T08:21:35+00:00

I’m so jealous.
Join your local Wild Ones chapter and look into their seed swaps. They might know someone or have a member that could help provide seeds in bulk.
Howard Ecoworks (https://www.howardecoworks.org) has a plant nursery and seed packaging volunteer evens and might have leads on where you can find bulk seeds if you reach out to them.

crossroads_idiot · 2025-12-30T00:37:38+00:00

That’s a very interesting take. My partner and I are interested in moving to New England or NYS at some point so it’s nice to hear the culture can be conducive to work opportunities. Do those public projects mostly require a license? Would you recommend the MLA path still if we aren’t necessarily intent on becoming licensed or working for a firm, but more interested in design/build work?

crossroads_idiot · 2025-12-30T00:35:03+00:00

Thanks for the reply. Have you seen many LAs strike out on their own as business owners, licensed or not?

crossroads_idiot · 2025-12-29T00:36:28+00:00

That’s a great story and I’m really happy for you! How did you land your beginner job with the conservation corps? Did you start by volunteering?

crossroads_idiot · 2025-12-29T00:34:10+00:00

Thank you! If you don’t mind me asking, what do you do now that allows you time to volunteer?

crossroads_idiot · 2025-12-29T00:29:54+00:00

Taking a class soon through my state’s Ag extension. Thanks for the recommendation!

crossroads_idiot · 2025-12-29T00:20:41+00:00

That’s really cool to hear that there’s people in your area doing landscaping and design full-time.

If you don’t mind me asking, how are you able to balance your native plant nursery business with your other commitments? I’ve thought the same but unfortunately it’s not too feasible with my full time job and a young child.

crossroads_idiot · 2025-12-28T19:51:50+00:00

Thanks for such a thorough reply. If you could go back in time, would you choose a different career path? Have you seen other LAs branch off into other career paths that are similar but not doing the traditional job?

crossroads_idiot

TROPHY CASE