2020 Conference Speakers
Stephen
Packard
The 24th annual Toward Harmony with Nature conference will feature keynote speaker Stephen Packard, whose mission is to foster the building of human communities to support biodiversity conservation. His presentation will draw upon his many years of experience as a leader of volunteers in using garden-grown and wild-collected seeds to restore high-quality prairies, savannas, woodlands and wetlands.
Packard’s work as a volunteer led to careers as Director of Science and Stewardship with the Illinois Nature Conservancy and a teaching position at Northwestern University. The North Branch Restoration Project, which he initiated, is a world model of volunteer ecological stewardship. His extensive experience in restoring prairies and oak woodlands has been featured in many books, most notably in Miracle Under the Oaks.
Following the keynote presentation, breakout sessions will feature nine speakers with expertise in a wide range of native plants landscaping topics. During breaks between sessions, conference goers will have the opportunity to browse native plants-related items at a book table, silent auction, and a room of exhibitors and vendors. A buffet lunch is available for those who make reservations. Lunch items will also be available at a concession stand.
Packard’s work as a volunteer led to careers as Director of Science and Stewardship with the Illinois Nature Conservancy and a teaching position at Northwestern University. The North Branch Restoration Project, which he initiated, is a world model of volunteer ecological stewardship. His extensive experience in restoring prairies and oak woodlands has been featured in many books, most notably in Miracle Under the Oaks.
Following the keynote presentation, breakout sessions will feature nine speakers with expertise in a wide range of native plants landscaping topics. During breaks between sessions, conference goers will have the opportunity to browse native plants-related items at a book table, silent auction, and a room of exhibitors and vendors. A buffet lunch is available for those who make reservations. Lunch items will also be available at a concession stand.
Tim and Linda Eisele
Concurrent Session I 10:30-11:45 am
"Stories from the Understory"
Tim and Linda Eisele, freelance outdoor writer; after-school consultant
The Eiseles will share some of the highlights and lowlights of what was a new experience for them beginning in 1990: owning their woodland in the Driftless Region of Southwest Wisconsin. All of the photos that you’ll see in this presentation were taken on the property. Some days they wonder if the light they see is the light at the end of the tunnel, or a freight train coming on full speed!
Tim Eisele is a freelance outdoor writer and photographer. He worked for the DNR in the 1970s and has freelanced full-time since 1995, now covering the DNR and Natural Resources Board for Wisconsin Outdoor News. He received a Special Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wisconsin Chapter of The Wildlife Society in 2019. Linda is a consultant for the Wisconsin Afterschool Network and while working for the City of Madison partnered with the UW-Madison and Dane County Extension to establish afterschool science clubs. Tim and Linda received the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation Woodlands Award in 2005 and the Forestry Award from the Crawford County Land Conservation Department in 2011.
"Stories from the Understory"
Tim and Linda Eisele, freelance outdoor writer; after-school consultant
The Eiseles will share some of the highlights and lowlights of what was a new experience for them beginning in 1990: owning their woodland in the Driftless Region of Southwest Wisconsin. All of the photos that you’ll see in this presentation were taken on the property. Some days they wonder if the light they see is the light at the end of the tunnel, or a freight train coming on full speed!
Tim Eisele is a freelance outdoor writer and photographer. He worked for the DNR in the 1970s and has freelanced full-time since 1995, now covering the DNR and Natural Resources Board for Wisconsin Outdoor News. He received a Special Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wisconsin Chapter of The Wildlife Society in 2019. Linda is a consultant for the Wisconsin Afterschool Network and while working for the City of Madison partnered with the UW-Madison and Dane County Extension to establish afterschool science clubs. Tim and Linda received the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation Woodlands Award in 2005 and the Forestry Award from the Crawford County Land Conservation Department in 2011.
Frank Hassler
“Rain Gardens: The Next Generation"
Frank Hassler, President, Good Oak Ecological Services
Rain gardens help us control runoff and clean up our lakes and streams. They do, however, present many design challenges. Early rain gardens were wild, weedy, and didn’t live up to their full potential. Learn why we need rain gardens, how they work, and how you can make your next generation rain garden better. Let’s make it so.
Frank Hassler is the owner and Chief Ecologist at Good Oak Ecological Services. He earned a B.S. in Ecology from the University of Illinois, an M.S. in Forestry at Northern Arizona University, and now has over twenty years of experience in the field. He founded Good Oak with the goal of integrating ecological principles and native plants into the management of natural areas, the urban landscape, and everything in between.
Frank Hassler, President, Good Oak Ecological Services
Rain gardens help us control runoff and clean up our lakes and streams. They do, however, present many design challenges. Early rain gardens were wild, weedy, and didn’t live up to their full potential. Learn why we need rain gardens, how they work, and how you can make your next generation rain garden better. Let’s make it so.
Frank Hassler is the owner and Chief Ecologist at Good Oak Ecological Services. He earned a B.S. in Ecology from the University of Illinois, an M.S. in Forestry at Northern Arizona University, and now has over twenty years of experience in the field. He founded Good Oak with the goal of integrating ecological principles and native plants into the management of natural areas, the urban landscape, and everything in between.
Karen Oberhauser
“Monarch Citizen Science: Your Native Plant Garden as a Living Laboratory”
Karen Oberhauser, Director, UW-Madison Arboretum
Native plant gardens support many insects and other organisms, which in turn benefit both natural and human-dominated ecosystems. But these gardens can also be laboratories in which we study the insects that use them. Learn how to collect data for several well-established monarch butterfly citizen science programs, and how the information that we collect helps us help monarchs and other insects.
Karen is the Director of the UW-Madison Arboretum. She and her students have conducted research on several aspects of monarch butterfly ecology. In 1996, she started a nationwide Citizen Science project called the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project, which continues to engage hundreds of volunteers throughout North America. Karen has authored over 90 papers on her research on monarchs, insect conservation, and citizen science. She is passionate about the conservation of the world’s biodiversity, and believes that the connections her projects and the Arboretum promote between humans and the natural world engender meaningful conservation action. She is the chair of the Monarch Joint Venture, and a founding officer of the Monarch Butterfly Fund. In 2013 Karen received a White House Champion of Change award for her work with Citizen Science.
Karen Oberhauser, Director, UW-Madison Arboretum
Native plant gardens support many insects and other organisms, which in turn benefit both natural and human-dominated ecosystems. But these gardens can also be laboratories in which we study the insects that use them. Learn how to collect data for several well-established monarch butterfly citizen science programs, and how the information that we collect helps us help monarchs and other insects.
Karen is the Director of the UW-Madison Arboretum. She and her students have conducted research on several aspects of monarch butterfly ecology. In 1996, she started a nationwide Citizen Science project called the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project, which continues to engage hundreds of volunteers throughout North America. Karen has authored over 90 papers on her research on monarchs, insect conservation, and citizen science. She is passionate about the conservation of the world’s biodiversity, and believes that the connections her projects and the Arboretum promote between humans and the natural world engender meaningful conservation action. She is the chair of the Monarch Joint Venture, and a founding officer of the Monarch Butterfly Fund. In 2013 Karen received a White House Champion of Change award for her work with Citizen Science.
Concurrent Session II 1:15-2:30
Dan Dieterich
“Climate Change and its Impacts on Wisconsin Native Plants”
Dan Dieterich, Wisconsin Co-Coordinator for Citizens’ Climate Lobby
Dan will discuss why the climate crisis is happening: how it’s affecting Wisconsin native plants, what it will do if it continues unchecked, and what you personally can do to reduce its worst effects.
Dan Dieterich loves native plants, so he established a small prairie and woodland garden on his land, helped found the Central Wisconsin Chapter of Wild Ones, and served as its leader for many years. Then, upon learning of the impact that climate change is having and will have on our environment, he joined the nonpartisan Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL), which is working with members of Congress on a climate change solution. He is now co-founder and leader of the Stevens Point CCL Chapter, which has over 500 members, and is Co-Coordinator of the over 5,000 CCL members in Wisconsin.
Dan Dieterich, Wisconsin Co-Coordinator for Citizens’ Climate Lobby
Dan will discuss why the climate crisis is happening: how it’s affecting Wisconsin native plants, what it will do if it continues unchecked, and what you personally can do to reduce its worst effects.
Dan Dieterich loves native plants, so he established a small prairie and woodland garden on his land, helped found the Central Wisconsin Chapter of Wild Ones, and served as its leader for many years. Then, upon learning of the impact that climate change is having and will have on our environment, he joined the nonpartisan Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL), which is working with members of Congress on a climate change solution. He is now co-founder and leader of the Stevens Point CCL Chapter, which has over 500 members, and is Co-Coordinator of the over 5,000 CCL members in Wisconsin.
Gary Nelson
“How a Small Volunteer Effort Became the Largest Driftless Area Habitat Restoration in the History of Dane County Parks”
Gary Nelson, President, Friends of Festge Park, Festge County Park and Salmo Pond County Park, Cross Plains, Wisconsin
The habitat restoration of Festge County Park had a very modest beginning but has become the largest restoration project of its kind in the history of Dane County. We’ll explore the lessons learned and the techniques used to remove invasives and restore native plants. Also to be considered are tools and training needed for long-term maintenance.
Gary Nelson is a former television news photojournalist. With over a 30-year career in the Green Bay and Madison markets, he was awarded numerous state and national broadcasting awards including being named Wisconsin Television News Photographer of the Year. Following his broadcast career, he produced projects for National Geographic International, Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel. He is currently a Master Naturalist volunteer and President of Friends of Festge Park. Festge County Park was established in the Driftless Area of southwest Dane County in 1963. By the time restoration work began in 2010, the park’s 160 acres was overwhelmed by invasive plants. The impact on the native plants and wildlife was profound. The park was an ecological disaster. Today, the park is considered a showcase park of bluffed oak savannas and woodlands. This restoration has been amazing and has transformed the landscape and volunteers. It all started with one very important decision.
Gary Nelson, President, Friends of Festge Park, Festge County Park and Salmo Pond County Park, Cross Plains, Wisconsin
The habitat restoration of Festge County Park had a very modest beginning but has become the largest restoration project of its kind in the history of Dane County. We’ll explore the lessons learned and the techniques used to remove invasives and restore native plants. Also to be considered are tools and training needed for long-term maintenance.
Gary Nelson is a former television news photojournalist. With over a 30-year career in the Green Bay and Madison markets, he was awarded numerous state and national broadcasting awards including being named Wisconsin Television News Photographer of the Year. Following his broadcast career, he produced projects for National Geographic International, Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel. He is currently a Master Naturalist volunteer and President of Friends of Festge Park. Festge County Park was established in the Driftless Area of southwest Dane County in 1963. By the time restoration work began in 2010, the park’s 160 acres was overwhelmed by invasive plants. The impact on the native plants and wildlife was profound. The park was an ecological disaster. Today, the park is considered a showcase park of bluffed oak savannas and woodlands. This restoration has been amazing and has transformed the landscape and volunteers. It all started with one very important decision.
Randy Powers
“The Right Essentials for a Wildflower Planting”
Randy Powers, Prairie Future Seed Company
You will hear a brief discussion about what you need to know in order to make the right decisions about doing a wildflower garden or planting.
Randy earned a Master’s Degree in both Botany and Zoology. He has 30 years of ecology field experience in natural area problem-solving, restoration and management. He works as an environmental consultant and educator. A licensed Wisconsin nurseryman and propagator, he has been the owner and operator of Prairie Future Seed Company since 1987.
Randy Powers, Prairie Future Seed Company
You will hear a brief discussion about what you need to know in order to make the right decisions about doing a wildflower garden or planting.
Randy earned a Master’s Degree in both Botany and Zoology. He has 30 years of ecology field experience in natural area problem-solving, restoration and management. He works as an environmental consultant and educator. A licensed Wisconsin nurseryman and propagator, he has been the owner and operator of Prairie Future Seed Company since 1987.
Concurrent Session III 3:00 to 4:15 pm
Frank Hassler
“Weeds and Invasive Plants in our Landscape"
Frank Hassler, President, Good Oak Ecological Services
We all have a few weeds growing here and there in our yards. But most properties also have more insidious invasive species which can spread rapidly and plunder natural areas. Some common ornamental plants are becoming invasive too. . . . come find what these “bad” plants are and how to stop them.
Frank is the founder, owner and Chief Ecologist at Good Oak Ecological Services. He has over twenty years of experience in the field, with a passion for re-establishing wild plants in our human landscapes.
Mark Konlock
“Native Plants for Every Yard – Natives, Nativars, and Other Plants that Attract Pollinators”
Mark A. Konlock, Director of Horticulture, Green Bay Botanical Garden
As Wild Ones, we promote native plants not only for their beauty but also for their ecological benefits. Garden centers and the general public have started to embrace native plants, and cultivated varieties of native plants (nativars) have gained in popularity. Many non-native plants are also marketed and sold as pollinator-friendly. Mark will share what he has learned from the latest research on the use of nativars, discuss his plant observations at Green Bay Botanical Garden (GBBG), and show how GBBG adds native plants to its landscapes.
Mark earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin Madison. After working as a consulting civil engineer for three-and-a-half years, he returned to college at the University of Wisconsin River Falls to study what became his true passion, Horticulture. His work experience includes being a County Extension Agent, working at a wholesale greenhouse, evaluating seed germination tests, laboring on a fruit research farm, and creating a yard waste recycling program before taking his current position as Director of Horticulture at Green Bay Botanical Garden in 2005. During his time with the Garden, it has expanded by 11.5 acres and increased its plant collections to more than 3,800 taxa and more than 70,000 plants.
Mark A. Konlock, Director of Horticulture, Green Bay Botanical Garden
As Wild Ones, we promote native plants not only for their beauty but also for their ecological benefits. Garden centers and the general public have started to embrace native plants, and cultivated varieties of native plants (nativars) have gained in popularity. Many non-native plants are also marketed and sold as pollinator-friendly. Mark will share what he has learned from the latest research on the use of nativars, discuss his plant observations at Green Bay Botanical Garden (GBBG), and show how GBBG adds native plants to its landscapes.
Mark earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin Madison. After working as a consulting civil engineer for three-and-a-half years, he returned to college at the University of Wisconsin River Falls to study what became his true passion, Horticulture. His work experience includes being a County Extension Agent, working at a wholesale greenhouse, evaluating seed germination tests, laboring on a fruit research farm, and creating a yard waste recycling program before taking his current position as Director of Horticulture at Green Bay Botanical Garden in 2005. During his time with the Garden, it has expanded by 11.5 acres and increased its plant collections to more than 3,800 taxa and more than 70,000 plants.
Matthew Normansell
“Why Eating Native Plants is Good for You and for the Environment”
Matthew Normansell, foraging expert
Matt will lead us on an exploration of Wisconsin’s native edible flora and how ethnobotanical uses of such organisms can benefit their continued existence.
Matthew Normansell is a British foraging and wild food guide who has been running successful wild food courses in Europe for the last decade. He relocated to the UW to marry his wife and business partner. He has worked and trained with some of the top foragers in Europe. He ran programs for local authorities, city councils, top chefs, cookery schools, food festivals, and has trained guides on wild edible plants and fungi. He has written for various national and local publications, online blogs, and appeared both on the BBC and Wisconsin Public Television as a foraging expert.
Matthew Normansell, foraging expert
Matt will lead us on an exploration of Wisconsin’s native edible flora and how ethnobotanical uses of such organisms can benefit their continued existence.
Matthew Normansell is a British foraging and wild food guide who has been running successful wild food courses in Europe for the last decade. He relocated to the UW to marry his wife and business partner. He has worked and trained with some of the top foragers in Europe. He ran programs for local authorities, city councils, top chefs, cookery schools, food festivals, and has trained guides on wild edible plants and fungi. He has written for various national and local publications, online blogs, and appeared both on the BBC and Wisconsin Public Television as a foraging expert.
