The Purdue Landscape Report, a blog which provides science-based, timely information regarding Midwest landscapes to commercial growers, garden centers, landscapers, arborists and the general public, was recognized with the Extension Division Education Materials Award for Outstanding Blog at the American Society of Horticultural Science convention in August.
The Purdue Landscape Report is a collaborative effort between Purdue Extension specialists and diagnosticians in the areas of horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, urban forestry and turf science. Articles cover everything from tree maintenance to pest and disease problems and management to plant selection.
"Our Purdue Green Industry Team brings together many disciplines and expertise for the industry and homeowners as well as any other university in the country," Nursey and Landscape Outreach Specialist Kyle Daniel said. "The research and outreach efforts of each member of the team contributes to helping the industry be more sustainable, efficient, environmentally conscious, and profitable. The Purdue Landscape Report is one way that we present science-based information to our stakeholders around the state. In addition to this information being distributed locally, there are many subscribers from across the country."
The PLR team includes:
- Kyle Daniel – Nursey and Landscape Outreach Specialist, Purdue Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
- Rosie Lerner – Extension Consumer Horticulturist, Purdue Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
- Cliff Sadof – Professor, Entomology Extension Specialist
- Tom Creswell – Clinical Engagement Professor, Director of the Plant & Pest Diagnostic Laboratory; Purdue Botany and Plant Pathology
- Janna Beckerman – Professor of Botany and Plant Pathology
- John Bonkowski – Clerk, Purdue Botany and Plant Pathology
- Lindsey Purcell – Purdue Extension urban forester, Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources
- Gail Ruhl – Visiting Scholar, Purdue Biological Sciences
- Elizabeth Barnes – Exotic Forest Pest Educator, Purdue Entomology
- Todd Abrahamson – Purdue Plant & Pest Diagnostic Lab Secretary
- Lori Jolly-Brown – Extension Events and Communications Coordinator, Purdue Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
- Kirby Kalbaugh – Application and Systems Administrator, Purdue Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Since launching in February 2018, the Purdue Landscape Report has included more than 144 articles. The website boasted more than 75,000 unique article downloads in 2019. PLR is also sent out in a bi-weekly email newsletter to more than 4,000 subscribers nationwide. The blog has brought in 137,000 unique visitors thus far in 2020.
In August, the Purdue Landscape Report staff also began a live, virtual series every other Wednesday, which addresses articles and hot topics. In just two months, that series has had more than 1,100 views.
