Summer Solstice Event by Pizzo Group

Educational Event for Ecological Restoration & Native Plants

Thank you to those who joined us for our annual Solstice event on Friday, June 19th! We had great presentations from Michelle Catania (The Morton Arboretum) and Jack Pizzo, owner of Pizzo Group, wonderful tours through the nursery and our prairie, and participated in solid discussions relating to the future of ecological restoration and native plants!

Plan for next year’s Solstice! We will see you next year on Friday, June 18th, 2027!

RECAP of the day

Morning

Urban Soils & Soil Remediation
Speaker: Michelle Catania
Many trees in urban and suburban environments struggle to reach maturity. Some of this is caused by poor below-ground environmental conditions, such as degraded soils from construction and infrastructure conflicts. As we continue to see a decline in urban forest canopy, we can start to reverse this trend if we incorporate tested methods of improving soils to support healthy, long-lived trees. This talk will aim at providing a variety of peer-reviewed techniques that can be effectively incorporated into site preparation prior to planting, offer improvements to plant health care programs to remediate soil-induced tree stress, or introduce science-based engineering solutions that should be considered during site planning for large-scale construction projects.

Presenter: Michelle Catania

Michelle Catania, M.S. is the green industry outreach coordinator for The Morton Arboretum. She is devoted to disseminating peer-reviewed scientific research aimed at improving tree and soil health in urban and suburban environments. She effectively provides both technical and non-technical talks and workshops to green industry professionals to encourage the integration of science-based solutions into daily work routines. Communicating the best management practices to practitioners is driven by her desire to help trees thrive in urban environments. Michelle holds a B.S. in Biologicals Sciences with an emphasis in plant science, and a M.S. in Geography with an emphasis in forest ecology and pedology.

AFTERNOON

Native Plant Specs, Coverage Percentages, and Management Plans
Speaker: Jack Pizzo, The Pizzo Group
This session offered practical guidance for landscape architects and engineers on specifying native plants, calculating effective coverage percentages, and developing realistic, long-term management plans. Attendees gained insight into selecting species for ecological function and visual appeal, ensuring plant density supports performance goals, and designing maintenance strategies that align with project budgets and regulatory requirements. Whether working on stormwater systems, restoration sites, or public spaces, this talk connected design with implementation to support resilient, sustainable landscapes.

Guided Prairie Tour

Our native plant nursery encompasses 40 acres of restored wetland and prairie habitat in the heart of farm country near Leland, IL providing us with ready access to local eco-type seed from a diverse number of native plant species. Jack Pizzo and others lead groups through our prairie, identifying species, sharing the restoration process our prairie underwent, and answering questions along the way.

Guided Nursery Tour

Groups had the opportunity to go behind the scenes in our nursery facilities and green houses to see firsthand how we grow the best native plants around.

Pizzo Summer Solstice Event

A Look Back

Our annual Summer Solstice event continues to grow in attendance, approximately 200 industry professionals attend. Attendees are Landowners, Landscape Contractors, HOA Board Members, Property Managers, Landscape Architects, Non-Profit Organizations, Park Districts, Municipalities, Green Roof Specialists, Brokers, Suppliers, and Growers.

Get Involved

Speakers & Sponsors

We’re always looking to network and speak with industry professionals who are interested in speaking at our Summer Solstice event or welcome support from like-minded sponsors who can help us continue to provide educational resources. Together, we can help restore nature!

Summer Solstice

Frequently Asked Questions

Who do I contact for general questions?

For any questions about the Summer Solstice, please reach out to Abby Rookstool (AbigailR@pizzo.info).

What is the refund policy?

Full refunds are available up until the last day of ticket sales which is June 15th. Once ticket sales have closed, refunds will no longer be available.

Will you cancel due to rain?

No. We’re just like plants and enjoy a good sprinkle. We will adjust schedules on the fly to help but it is a good idea to bring an umbrella if the forecast is showing a chance of rain.

What should I wear?

Come casual with good walking boots/shoes. The prairie will sometimes still be wet in the early morning. We tend to have really hot weather during this event. Don’t forget a hat, sunglasses, and some sunscreen. We’ll have some sunscreen just in case you forget as well as bug spray if needed.