New generations of architectural designers and planners are learning to partner with the natural world rather than merely build over it. For example, at the University of Virginia, such courses as EcoTech 1 cultivate in first-year landscape architecture students an appreciation that sustainable design begins with the land.

On a perfect fall day this week, Quarry Gardens’ own eco-guru Devin Floyd, of the Center for Urban Habitats, brought Shanti Levy’s class to the QGs where he introduced the site’s unusual geology, soils, physiography, and flora—and their relationships. We were delighted to host the class and hope to see others.

On Saturday, the October 22  from 1 to 4 p.m., Devin will guide a field outing on a private farm in Columbia VA focused on Piedmont grasslands ecology. Thousands of animals rely on old growth Piedmont grasslands.They are the most diverse ecosystems ever documented in Virginia, and they are rapidly disappearing. Devin will demonstrate the methods used by the Piedmont Grasslands research team to distinguish these rare remnants from weedy meadows and old fields.

(We have grasslands at the QGs—small remnants of old growth, and larger restored prairies.)

For Saturday’s outing, there’s no fee and no advance registration is required. Just show up at 317 Shannon Hill Road, Columbia.