Conference Keynote Speaker Neil Dibol
The American Garden – A Life or Death Situation
The American Garden – A Life or Death Situation
Our gardens and landscapes are becoming increasingly important refuges for pollinators, birds, butterflies and other creatures. Their former habitats are disappearing due to the wholesale conversion into chemically soaked farm crops, industrial parks, commercial centers, and housing for humans.
Neil will discuss how creating native landscapes that require few if any chemicals and toxins are the future landscapes of necessity, as “Joint Ventures with Nature” in our cities and suburbs. Our very survival will depend upon it.
Neil will share his expertise in a step-by-step approach that will provide you with “tried and true” methods to convert a small area to a prairie garden or a large acreage to a beautiful prairie meadow.
Neil is President of Prairie Nursery and has over 35 years of experience in prairie establishment and restoration. He designs natural landscapes for golf courses, corporate campuses, public parks, and residential settings. He has worked for the U. S. Park Service in Virginia, the U. S. Forest Service in Colorado, and the University of Wisconsin. He began his involvement with Prairie Nursery in 1982, producing native plants and seeds and designing native landscapes. He has since devoted his efforts to championing the use of prairie plants, as well as native trees, shrubs and wetland plants, in contemporary American landscapes.
Neil will discuss how creating native landscapes that require few if any chemicals and toxins are the future landscapes of necessity, as “Joint Ventures with Nature” in our cities and suburbs. Our very survival will depend upon it.
Neil will share his expertise in a step-by-step approach that will provide you with “tried and true” methods to convert a small area to a prairie garden or a large acreage to a beautiful prairie meadow.
Neil is President of Prairie Nursery and has over 35 years of experience in prairie establishment and restoration. He designs natural landscapes for golf courses, corporate campuses, public parks, and residential settings. He has worked for the U. S. Park Service in Virginia, the U. S. Forest Service in Colorado, and the University of Wisconsin. He began his involvement with Prairie Nursery in 1982, producing native plants and seeds and designing native landscapes. He has since devoted his efforts to championing the use of prairie plants, as well as native trees, shrubs and wetland plants, in contemporary American landscapes.
The conference features nine breakout session speakers on the full range of natural landscaping and native plant topics for habitats of all sizes and types. It will have information for beginner through experienced native plant gardeners. Choose one speaker for each of the three concurrent sessions.
Concurrent Session I 10:30-11:45 am
Lisa Johnson, horticulture educator
“Small-Scale Native Trees and Shrubs for Urban Gardens”
This presentation will cover information on a variety of small-scale native trees and shrubs, the conditions in which they are best grown, and uses for which they are best suited.
As the Dane County UW Extension Horticulture Educator. Lisa runs the Master Gardener training program and green industry continuing education programs, co-manages the Dane County UWEX Teaching Garden, acts as staff for the Dane County Tree Board, and as advisor for the Madison Area Master Gardeners Association. She has a regular column in Wisconsin Gardening magazine and a weekly column in the Wisconsin State Journal. She is also a regular guest on Larry Meiller’s WHA Radio “Garden Talk” program.
“Small-Scale Native Trees and Shrubs for Urban Gardens”
This presentation will cover information on a variety of small-scale native trees and shrubs, the conditions in which they are best grown, and uses for which they are best suited.
As the Dane County UW Extension Horticulture Educator. Lisa runs the Master Gardener training program and green industry continuing education programs, co-manages the Dane County UWEX Teaching Garden, acts as staff for the Dane County Tree Board, and as advisor for the Madison Area Master Gardeners Association. She has a regular column in Wisconsin Gardening magazine and a weekly column in the Wisconsin State Journal. She is also a regular guest on Larry Meiller’s WHA Radio “Garden Talk” program.
Matt Smith, land manager
“Two Years of Preparation for One Day of Seeding: Re-booting the 30-year Restoration Prairies of Riveredge Nature Center”
Matt will review two years of land management taken on dry-mesic prairie and oak woodland edge. He will highlight the methods used to remove invasive woody and herbaceous plants, design seed mixes, and prepare the ground for change.
Matt is the Riveredge Land Manager and has 11 years of field experience in ecological restoration and consulting. He has worked as an ecologist for non-profit conservation organizations, and private sector consulting firms. His areas of specialization include forest, woodland, savanna, and prairie ecology, old growth forest inventory, invasive species management, Native American Indian cultural landscapes, ethnobotany, prescribed fire, arboriculture, and comprehensive land stewardship planning.
“Two Years of Preparation for One Day of Seeding: Re-booting the 30-year Restoration Prairies of Riveredge Nature Center”
Matt will review two years of land management taken on dry-mesic prairie and oak woodland edge. He will highlight the methods used to remove invasive woody and herbaceous plants, design seed mixes, and prepare the ground for change.
Matt is the Riveredge Land Manager and has 11 years of field experience in ecological restoration and consulting. He has worked as an ecologist for non-profit conservation organizations, and private sector consulting firms. His areas of specialization include forest, woodland, savanna, and prairie ecology, old growth forest inventory, invasive species management, Native American Indian cultural landscapes, ethnobotany, prescribed fire, arboriculture, and comprehensive land stewardship planning.
Alice Thompson, wetland ecologist
”Wetlands on our Landscape - Protection and Restoration"
Wisconsin’s landscape has a rich treasure of wetlands, with the majority on private lands. Wetland protection, enhancement, management and restoration in the face of the evolving impacts of climate change will be the focus of this presentation.
Alice is principal scientist and owner of Thompson and Associates Wetland Services, LLC and provides environmental assistance on wetland issues and projects throughout Wisconsin. She is the principal author of the award-winning Wetland Restoration Handbook for Wisconsin Landowners, in its third printing for the WI DNR. Her expertise includes wetland delineation, restoration, permitting, mitigation monitoring, and invasive species control.
”Wetlands on our Landscape - Protection and Restoration"
Wisconsin’s landscape has a rich treasure of wetlands, with the majority on private lands. Wetland protection, enhancement, management and restoration in the face of the evolving impacts of climate change will be the focus of this presentation.
Alice is principal scientist and owner of Thompson and Associates Wetland Services, LLC and provides environmental assistance on wetland issues and projects throughout Wisconsin. She is the principal author of the award-winning Wetland Restoration Handbook for Wisconsin Landowners, in its third printing for the WI DNR. Her expertise includes wetland delineation, restoration, permitting, mitigation monitoring, and invasive species control.
Concurrent Session II 1:15 to 2:30 pm
Tim Eisele, outdoor writer and photographer
“From Weeds to Wildflowers on Gobbler Ridge”
Tim’s presentation traces the transformation of “Gobbler Ridge” in southwestern Wisconsin from when he and his wife Linda purchased it in 1990 to a restored prairie that is now a haven for native insects, birds, and wildlife.
Tim’s 2011 Madison Audubon Society’s James Zimmerman Award for excellence in environmental communications reflects his years as a free-lance photographer and outdoor writer and his service to numerous conservation organizations. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Natural Resources Foundation and the Board of Governors of the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame. For their work in prairie restoration, he and Linda received awards from the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Crawford County Land Conservation Department. Tim is a founding member and past president of the Wisconsin Outdoor Communicator’s Association.
“From Weeds to Wildflowers on Gobbler Ridge”
Tim’s presentation traces the transformation of “Gobbler Ridge” in southwestern Wisconsin from when he and his wife Linda purchased it in 1990 to a restored prairie that is now a haven for native insects, birds, and wildlife.
Tim’s 2011 Madison Audubon Society’s James Zimmerman Award for excellence in environmental communications reflects his years as a free-lance photographer and outdoor writer and his service to numerous conservation organizations. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Natural Resources Foundation and the Board of Governors of the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame. For their work in prairie restoration, he and Linda received awards from the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Crawford County Land Conservation Department. Tim is a founding member and past president of the Wisconsin Outdoor Communicator’s Association.
Michael Hansen, land care manager
“Invasive Species Management at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum”
The 1240-acre UW Arboretum is a unique collection of remnant and restored prairies, oak savannas, woodlands, and wetlands located in the heart of the city. Michael will provide an overview of the Arboretum’s invasive species management program, including common invasive species, how strategies are developed for management, and challenges of working within an urban landscape.
Michael Hansen is the Land Care Manager at the UW-Madison Arboretum where he oversees field work including invasive species management and the prescribed fire program. He also assists with research and outreach. His career in conservation has spanned almost 20 years across eight states and one Canadian province, his primary focus being prairie ecology and restoration. He has a B.S. in Natural Resource Management from The Ball State University and an M.S. in Plant Biology from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.
Mary Voelker, Master Gardener
“Building and Planting a Rain Garden”
What is the value of a rain garden to the environment? How do you build a rain garden? What plants are used? Mary will address these questions and others you have about rain gardens.
Mary Voelker has been a UW Extension Southeast Wisconsin Master Gardener for six years. She is a retired educator and organization development consultant. Her volunteer work as a Master Gardener includes giving presentations on rain gardens, using native plants in the garden, and invasive plants.
“Building and Planting a Rain Garden”
What is the value of a rain garden to the environment? How do you build a rain garden? What plants are used? Mary will address these questions and others you have about rain gardens.
Mary Voelker has been a UW Extension Southeast Wisconsin Master Gardener for six years. She is a retired educator and organization development consultant. Her volunteer work as a Master Gardener includes giving presentations on rain gardens, using native plants in the garden, and invasive plants.
Concurrent Session III 3:00 to 4:15 pm
Ed Collins, director of land preservation and natural resources
“Savannas – A Species of Land Unlike any Other”
– So wrote one 19th century author describing the savannas of the Midwest. Shaped by ice, sculpted by climate and existing in a dynamic balance with topography and fire, they remain an enigmatic touchstone of the Midwestern landscape. Using firsthand accounts of settlers, land speculators and early scientists, this session will ask whether our management goals are based on an accurate understanding of original savanna communities.
Ed has served the McHenry County, IL, Conservation District since 1986 as plant ecologist, restoration ecologist, natural resource manager, and director of land preservation and natural resources. He directs land protection efforts and ecological management on 25,000 acres of public open space in McHenry County. He teaches courses in forensic ecology and ecological spirituality for the District and participates in historical reenacting.
“Savannas – A Species of Land Unlike any Other”
– So wrote one 19th century author describing the savannas of the Midwest. Shaped by ice, sculpted by climate and existing in a dynamic balance with topography and fire, they remain an enigmatic touchstone of the Midwestern landscape. Using firsthand accounts of settlers, land speculators and early scientists, this session will ask whether our management goals are based on an accurate understanding of original savanna communities.
Ed has served the McHenry County, IL, Conservation District since 1986 as plant ecologist, restoration ecologist, natural resource manager, and director of land preservation and natural resources. He directs land protection efforts and ecological management on 25,000 acres of public open space in McHenry County. He teaches courses in forensic ecology and ecological spirituality for the District and participates in historical reenacting.
Nathan Holoubek, research scientist
“Fire as a Natural Disturbance in Prairie Plantings: When and How to Apply It”
Fire was an integral component of prairies, and many plants depend on it to flourish. This talk will discuss when and how to use fire to benefit both the flora and fauna of prairie, savanna, and woodland habitat.
Nathan Holoubek is a research scientist who has focused on managing or studying disturbance-maintained habitats in the Midwest for most of his career. He manages wildlife area habitats and grassland bird conservation properties for the WI DNR in southern Wisconsin. Prior to joining the WI DNR, he worked in the Crosstimbers oak savanna system of southeastern Kansas studying avian response to oak savanna restoration treatments. He has also worked for several private organizations restoring native habitats throughout southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
“Fire as a Natural Disturbance in Prairie Plantings: When and How to Apply It”
Fire was an integral component of prairies, and many plants depend on it to flourish. This talk will discuss when and how to use fire to benefit both the flora and fauna of prairie, savanna, and woodland habitat.
Nathan Holoubek is a research scientist who has focused on managing or studying disturbance-maintained habitats in the Midwest for most of his career. He manages wildlife area habitats and grassland bird conservation properties for the WI DNR in southern Wisconsin. Prior to joining the WI DNR, he worked in the Crosstimbers oak savanna system of southeastern Kansas studying avian response to oak savanna restoration treatments. He has also worked for several private organizations restoring native habitats throughout southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
Steve Petznick, naturalist
“Birds of Wisconsin’s Prairies”
“Birds of Wisconsin Prairies” raises awareness of the many types of prairies in Wisconsin along with the variety of bird life that call the prairie ecosystem home.
Steve Petznick works as a Naturalist at Mosquito Hill Nature Center where he manages a richly diverse 13-acre prairie planting. He is an advocate for native plant communities and has spent over 30 years working against invasive terrestrial plants. He is the founder and Past President of the Northeast Wisconsin Birding Club and is a regular contributor to Wisconsin Society for Ornithology’s monthly publication, the “Badger Birder.”
“Birds of Wisconsin’s Prairies”
“Birds of Wisconsin Prairies” raises awareness of the many types of prairies in Wisconsin along with the variety of bird life that call the prairie ecosystem home.
Steve Petznick works as a Naturalist at Mosquito Hill Nature Center where he manages a richly diverse 13-acre prairie planting. He is an advocate for native plant communities and has spent over 30 years working against invasive terrestrial plants. He is the founder and Past President of the Northeast Wisconsin Birding Club and is a regular contributor to Wisconsin Society for Ornithology’s monthly publication, the “Badger Birder.”
