UMaine Students Create Plans for Patch Residence at Braeside

What belongs in a naturalist's backyard? That is the question answered by University of Maine Environmental Horticulture students, who were challenged to develop landscape plans for Braeside, the historic home of Dr. Edith Marion Patch.

Students Michael Scott, Jonathan Mackay and Steve Rodrigue presented their top-rated designs in a special program on Saturday, February 20, at the Page Farm and Home Museum on the UMaine campus. The program was one of a series of free monthly public forums sponsored by the Friends of Dr. Edith Marion Patch.

As the University of Maine's first woman scientist and an internationally renowned educator and environmentalist, Patch, 1876-1954, cultivated plantings that offered shelter and food for wildlife on and around her property.

With the restoration of Braeside underway, students have worked for the past two semesters on aspects of a landscape plan that would integrate Patch's philosophy with modern principles. Design plans were developed last fall under the direction of instructor Robert Bangs. They moved closer to implementation as part of a study of landscape management practices with faculty member Micah Lipscomb.

The three lead designers of the project, though still in their undergraduate programs, are all experienced in horticultural work. Michael Scott of Cape Elizabeth has been employed for nine years in the field, primarily in landscape installation and construction. Jonathan Mackay of Brewer has been employed for the past three summers by Windswept Gardens of Bangor, where he is planning to complete a professional internship this summer. Steve Rodrigue of Kennebec is pursuing studies integrating landscape design with sustainable agriculture and has a particular interest in landscaping for wildlife. Last summer, he held an internship at Longfellow's Greenhouses in Manchester.

For more information about Braeside restoration efforts, contact mary.bird@umit.maine.edu. If you would like more information about how you can contribute to the Braeside restoration, contact the planned giving officers at the University of Maine Foundation.