Jonathan Lehrer
Chair and Assistant Professor, Department of Urban Horticulture and Design | Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale, NY, UNITED STATES
Professor Jonathan Lehrer is a native Long Islander whose passion for the natural world extends from early childhood.
Biography
Currently assistant professor and chairman in the Department of Urban Horticulture and Design at Farmingdale State College, Dr. Lehrer returned home eight years ago after completing his doctoral degree at the University of Connecticut. He currently teaches courses in woody plants, native plants, and indoor horticulture. He is active with several groups that address the invasive plant issue, serves on the Long Island Gold Medal Plant committee, and consults privately on horticultural matters. Dr. Lehrer is also a plant hobbyist with special interests in variegated cultivars and traditional Japanese collector plants.
Media
Publications:
Documents:
Videos:
Audio/Podcasts:
Areas of Expertise (6)
Urban Horticulture
Woody Plants
Native Plants
Indoor Horticulture
Invasive Plant Issue
Plant Cultivars
Industry Expertise (4)
Landscaping
Floriculture and Horticulture
Research
Education/Learning
Education (3)
University of Connecticut: PhD, Plant Science 2007
University of Connecticut: MS, Plant Science 2002
Cornell University: BS, Biology 1998
Affiliations (3)
- L.I. Nursery and Landscape Association
- L.I. Gold Medal Plant Committee
- Suffolk County Invasive Species Advisory Board
Links (1)
Languages (1)
- English
Event Appearances (6)
Not just aggressive, they are Invasive: Invasive plant update
LINLA Fall Education Symposium Oyster Bay, NY
2013-09-20
Landscaping for the Birds
2015 Spring/Summer Seminar Series Martin Viette Nurseries
2015-05-02
Long Island Hydrangeas Under Fire
Fireside Chat Program Clark Botanic Garden
2015-03-01
Long Island Invasive Plant Alternatives
Lecture series Second District Federated Garden Clubs of New York State
2014-10-17
Native Oaks: Linking Natural History and Horticulture
Native Flora of Long Island: Satisfying Biodiversity in a Modern World Long Island, NY
2014-09-13
NYS Invasive Plant List/Alternatives to Invasives
22nd Annual NYS ReLeaf Conference Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
2014-07-18
Sample Talks (2)
Hydrangeas for Long Island
Hydrangeas are some of the most popular landscape shrubs in the tri-state area, but their cultivation is plagued by confusion and misunderstanding. This lecture presents an overview of common cultivated hydrangea, problems often encountered, and strategies that may be implemented to succeed in residential and commercial settings. “Invasive Plants”: This topic is of contemporary importance due to the wide-reaching implications of invasive plants, and active legislation at the local and state level. This lecture presents an overview of the issue through a discussion of definitions and scientific concepts. The audience gains an appreciation for the scope of the issue and the consequences. Horticultural solutions are also explored.
Alternatives to Invasive Plants
This talk offers an in-depth exploration of specific alternative plants that may be employed in landscapes to replace species deemed invasive and/or banned by legislation. To begin, a brief overview of the invasive plant issue is given. The bulk of the lecture details plant selections that offer comparable ornamental and cultural traits to important invasive species without the risk of ecological damage.
Style
Availability
- Keynote
- Moderator
- Panelist
- Workshop Leader
- Corporate Training
Media Appearances (2)
Alternatives to Invasive Trees & Plants
The Organic View Radio Show with June Stoyer radio
2014-11-03
Alternatives to Invasive Trees & Plants
Beauty in the eye of the beholder for LI gardeners "going native"
Newsday print
2015-08-15
Growing awareness of environmental threats to species like the monarch butterfly is fueling a nascent movement on Long Island that uses native plants to support their survival, restore lost habitat -- and redefine what a garden can be.
Research Focus (1)
Cultivar Invasiveness Assessment Protocol
2012-01-01
Chairs a committee (2012-present) representing diverse constituencies to develop the “Cultivar Invasiveness Assessment Protocol,” a unique decision-making tool that evaluates cultivars (unique varieties) of invasive plant species using rigorous science-based standards. If these plant varieties meet stringent standards they may be declared exempt from legislative prohibitions placed on their sale by Nassau/Suffolk counties and New York State. This protocol has been accepted by the NYS DEC and in spring 2015 the first set of exempt cultivars was published in the state register.
Research Grants (3)
Implementation of a Permanent Plant Labeling System Within the Teaching Gardens at Farmingdale State College to Enrich Horticulture Student Education and Green Industry Outreach Efforts
Long Island Nursery and Landscape Association $800
2011-09-01
Implementation of a Permanent Plant Labeling System Within the Teaching Gardens at Farmingdale State College to Enrich Horticulture Student Education and Green Industry Outreach Efforts
Thermal Plant Label Printer Facilitates Horticulture Education at Farmingdale State College Via Marketing and Development Opportunities
Long Island Nursery and Landscape Association $1618
2015-05-01
Thermal Plant Label Printer Facilitates Horticulture Education at Farmingdale State College Via Marketing and Development Opportunities
Enrichment of Horticulture Education through Student Involvement in Restoration of the Teaching Gardens Pinetum
Farmingdale State College $2,500
2011-06-01
Enrichment of Horticulture Education through Student Involvement in Restoration of the Teaching Gardens Pinetum
Published Articles (3)
Layers of Intrigue: Physocarpus and Powdery Mildew
American Nurseryman
2012-01-01
Layers of Intrigue: Physocarpus and Powdery Mildew
From Cast-iron to Gilded Gold: The Introduction of New Cultivars Heralds an Aspidistra Renaissance, with selections that offer spots, stripes, frosts and gorgeous green
American Nurseryman
2011-01-01
From Cast-iron to Gilded Gold: The Introduction of New Cultivars Heralds an Aspidistra Renaissance, with selections that offer spots, stripes, frosts and gorgeous green
Courses (5)
HOR 211 - Woody Plants I
The Woody Plants courses give a picture primarily of the woody plants grown in nurseries for landscape purposes, and secondly of those found in arboretums, woodlands, and fields of Northeastern United States. Emphasis is on identification, culture, uses, flowers, and fruits, and ecological relationships. Several of the evergreens, broad and narrow leaf, as well as some of the deciduous trees and shrubs will be covered in this first study.
HOR 212 - Woody Plants II
A continuation of Woody Plants I covering additional evergreens, broad and narrow leaf, as well as deciduous plants, trees, shrubs, vines and ground covers.
HOR 218 - Indoor Plants
A study of various plants that are suitable for indoor culture. Emphasis will be placed on identification, propagation, cultural requirements, ecological and aesthetic values.
HOR 311 - Woody Plants III:Advanced Topics
This course supplements topics addressed in the core woody plant curriculum and expands in new directions. Contemporary topics will be discussed such as native vs. non-native plants, invasive plants and alternatives, xeriscaping and sustainable plant selection. It is hoped that students will hone their ability to select appropriate woody plant material for challenging landscape situations and become aware of contemporary issues in horticulture. Guest speakers, outdoor laboratory exercises and field trips will be organized to complement classroom instruction.
HOR 312 - Selecting and Designing with Native Plants
The appropriate selection and use of native plants (herbaceous and woody species) balances aesthetic demands with environmental concerns and the needs of local flora and fauna. This course will first explore the meaning of "native" and the scientific basis for utilizing species indigenous to the New York City metropolitan area. We will then address plant selection in the context of specialized ecological communities and the design of landscapes with native plant material. Classroom instruction will be supplemented with visits by experts and trips to sites that illustrate course concepts.