Held at the new Hilltop Building at RHS Garden, Wisley on the 9th / 10th June, the Symposium has been conceived to address the deepening climate crisis and to explore the positive impact garden and landscape design can have on the environment.

Aimed at helping the industry work collaboratively to forge plans for a responsible, relevant and rewarding future, the SGD Symposium will include a mix of talks, panel debates and round-table discussions under a broad theme of ‘Past, Present and Future’. The ambition is to debate a ‘future aesthetic’ and explore how gardens and landscapes can be created with the guiding principle of increasing wildlife biodiversity and doing what is best for the land.

Confirmed keynote speakers include Dan Pearson OBE MSGD, Bernard Trainor, Charlie Harpur and Marian Boswall MSGD. Other highly acclaimed speakers, including Sarah Eberle FSGD, Advolly Richmond, David Stevens FSGD, Tom Massey MSGD, Jo Gibbons, Noel Kingsbury, Catherine Heatherington FSGD and Giacomo Guzzon, will be staging a series of lively panel debates. *

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.”

The Wildlife Garden by Ann-Marie Powell, RHS Hilltop Building, RHS Garden, Wisley © RHS / Neil Hepworth

Delegates will also be encouraged to share their own thoughts and expertise in daily round-table discussions, drawing together the threads that will be contributing to a new SGD Manifesto which will form a blueprint for the way SGD members practice in the future. The discussions will be headed by Andrew Duff MSGD, who will also be co-chairing the event.  Andrew said:  “The seeds of the manifesto will be set during the two days of the Symposium, but those who cannot attend the event can contribute to the manifesto  afterwards, so we can be certain that it will be as inclusive as possible.”

* 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. The SGD will also be encouraging delegates, wherever possible, to use public transport to get to the event.

The ticket price includes a celebratory evening event and the opportunity to network with fellow delegates and exhibitors within the stunning new gardens of RHS Wisley, all of which were designed by SGD Members – Ann-Marie Powell MSGD and Matt Keightly MSGD (with masterplanning by Christopher Bradley-Hole MSGD).

Early Bird tickets are available until 28th April. 
www.sgd.org.uk/events/symposium

Garden by Tom Massey MSGD. © Alister Thorpe