Conference Keynote Speaker David Cordray
“The Value of Ecological Restoration”
“The Value of Ecological Restoration”
David Cordray
David Cordray, Senior Restoration Ecologist & Engineer;
Owner, Environmental Returns LLC
The rich outdoor experiences of his youth in nature’s “outdoor classrooms” are the foundation of who David Cordray is today. Wishing to give others the opportunity to participate in their natural heritage, he will share a brief summary of his journey to finding ecological awareness and his insight into why we must actively participate in restoring the health of our lands. He will explore reasons for striving for ecological health, how that work benefits others and how we can influence a greater ecological awareness.
As an engineer, David Cordray’s first career was working with environmental monitoring satellites. He changed careers in 2008 and brought his creative ideas, work ethic, and knowledge to natural land management. One of his research interests is native landscape design methods and planning to enhance the human outdoor experience. Since 2001, he and his wife Debra have been actively restoring their 100 acres near Belleville, Wisconsin to prairie and an oak savanna.
Owner, Environmental Returns LLC
The rich outdoor experiences of his youth in nature’s “outdoor classrooms” are the foundation of who David Cordray is today. Wishing to give others the opportunity to participate in their natural heritage, he will share a brief summary of his journey to finding ecological awareness and his insight into why we must actively participate in restoring the health of our lands. He will explore reasons for striving for ecological health, how that work benefits others and how we can influence a greater ecological awareness.
As an engineer, David Cordray’s first career was working with environmental monitoring satellites. He changed careers in 2008 and brought his creative ideas, work ethic, and knowledge to natural land management. One of his research interests is native landscape design methods and planning to enhance the human outdoor experience. Since 2001, he and his wife Debra have been actively restoring their 100 acres near Belleville, Wisconsin to prairie and an oak savanna.
Conference participants can choose one speaker for each of the three concurrent sessions held during the day. The sessions will run as follows:
Ben French
Concurrent Session I 10:30-11:45 am
“Native Trees and Shrubs that Work Together”
Ben French, propagator, Johnson’s Nursery Inc.
Ben will share how to select winning combinations from the native woody plants of Wisconsin. Join him in a discussion of how to prioritize your planting goals for your site.
Ben earned his B.S. degree in Forestry from the University of Wisconsin (UW) - Stevens Point. He started working at Johnson’s Nursery as an Intern in 2010 where he weeded, watered, potted plants and propagated. He is now part of the senior leadership team. He also does recruiting and presentations for Johnson’s, specializing in propagation, plant insects and diseases, Wisconsin native plants, and nursery production.
“Native Trees and Shrubs that Work Together”
Ben French, propagator, Johnson’s Nursery Inc.
Ben will share how to select winning combinations from the native woody plants of Wisconsin. Join him in a discussion of how to prioritize your planting goals for your site.
Ben earned his B.S. degree in Forestry from the University of Wisconsin (UW) - Stevens Point. He started working at Johnson’s Nursery as an Intern in 2010 where he weeded, watered, potted plants and propagated. He is now part of the senior leadership team. He also does recruiting and presentations for Johnson’s, specializing in propagation, plant insects and diseases, Wisconsin native plants, and nursery production.
Paul Skawinski,
“Natural Shoreline Restoration for Water Quality Protection”
Paul Skawinski, Citizen Lake Monitoring Network Educator, UW-Extension Lakes Program
Shorelines vegetated with native plants protect the property against erosion, absorb pollutants, slow runoff, provide wildlife habitat, and more. Paul will discuss the importance of natural shorelines and provide tips for making your shoreline the best it can be.
Paul teaches Aquatic Botany at UW Stevens Point and is the author/photographer of the popular field guide Aquatic Plants of the Upper Midwest. He enjoys gardening with native plants and established nearly 3,000 square feet of native landscaping in his yard in 2018 using over 2,000 plugs raised from seed. He has helped several local schools create butterfly gardens and restore native plant communities where invasive species once dominated.
Paul Skawinski, Citizen Lake Monitoring Network Educator, UW-Extension Lakes Program
Shorelines vegetated with native plants protect the property against erosion, absorb pollutants, slow runoff, provide wildlife habitat, and more. Paul will discuss the importance of natural shorelines and provide tips for making your shoreline the best it can be.
Paul teaches Aquatic Botany at UW Stevens Point and is the author/photographer of the popular field guide Aquatic Plants of the Upper Midwest. He enjoys gardening with native plants and established nearly 3,000 square feet of native landscaping in his yard in 2018 using over 2,000 plugs raised from seed. He has helped several local schools create butterfly gardens and restore native plant communities where invasive species once dominated.
Sarah Warner
“The Importance of Prairies to Threatened and Endangered Species”
Sarah Warner, United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist
Sarah will highlight species the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working to conserve that are specific to prairie ecosystems. She will discuss the conservation and risks to these species, as well as how to reduce potential threats.
Sarah works in the Madison, Wisconsin Ecological Services Field Office and is involved with multiple projects across the Midwest that focus on endangered species recovery, habitat conservation and best management practices, and environmental contaminant projects. She works on projects focused on the poweshiek skipperling, monarch butterfly, rusty-patched bumblebee, whooping crane and Kirtland’s warbler.
Sarah Warner, United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist
Sarah will highlight species the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working to conserve that are specific to prairie ecosystems. She will discuss the conservation and risks to these species, as well as how to reduce potential threats.
Sarah works in the Madison, Wisconsin Ecological Services Field Office and is involved with multiple projects across the Midwest that focus on endangered species recovery, habitat conservation and best management practices, and environmental contaminant projects. She works on projects focused on the poweshiek skipperling, monarch butterfly, rusty-patched bumblebee, whooping crane and Kirtland’s warbler.
Concurrent Session II 1:15-2:30
Steve Apfelbaum
“Integrating Natural Systems into Urban Landscapes”
Steve Apfelbaum, Chairman and Senior Ecologist, Applied Ecological Services
Steve, who is one of the leading ecological consultants in the U. S., will share the restoration advice and the win-win solutions that he employs in situations where ecological and land development conflicts arise.
Steve has conducted ecological research, designed award-winning projects and contributed his creative scientific expertise to over 9,000 projects throughout North America and beyond. His work on conservation communities established Low Impact Development as a maintenance and regulatory precedent. His work on alternative stormwater management has contributed to changing the stormwater management industry nationwide. His book, Nature’s Second Chance, was one of the Top 10 Environmental Books of 2009. His recent book, Restoring Ecological Health to Your Land, co-authored with Dr. Alan Haney of UW-Stevens Point, has won praise as the first comprehensive “how-to” restoration book for landowners.
Steve Apfelbaum, Chairman and Senior Ecologist, Applied Ecological Services
Steve, who is one of the leading ecological consultants in the U. S., will share the restoration advice and the win-win solutions that he employs in situations where ecological and land development conflicts arise.
Steve has conducted ecological research, designed award-winning projects and contributed his creative scientific expertise to over 9,000 projects throughout North America and beyond. His work on conservation communities established Low Impact Development as a maintenance and regulatory precedent. His work on alternative stormwater management has contributed to changing the stormwater management industry nationwide. His book, Nature’s Second Chance, was one of the Top 10 Environmental Books of 2009. His recent book, Restoring Ecological Health to Your Land, co-authored with Dr. Alan Haney of UW-Stevens Point, has won praise as the first comprehensive “how-to” restoration book for landowners.
Aaron Feggestad
“Measure Twice and Cut Once: The Importance of Planning and Adaptive Management When Restoring Oak Ecosystems”
Aaron Feggestad, Senior Associate Ecologist, Stantec Consulting Services, Inc.
Aaron will discuss the factors leading to the degradation of our vulnerable oak ecosystems before and during restoration and how to identify and respond to these factors in your landscape. He will discuss methods for assessing your property, setting and adjusting attainable goals, and evaluating outcomes to maximize your available resources. These factors and methods also apply to deciduous wooded ecosystems in general.
Aaron has overseen the restoration of thousands of acres of oak ecosystems and oak-prairie landscapes throughout the upper Midwest. He is involved with all phases of ecosystem restoration projects from baseline evaluations to planning, management, stewardship and monitoring. His experience developing practical, economical and implementation-ready plans is based on years of lessons learned.
Aaron Feggestad, Senior Associate Ecologist, Stantec Consulting Services, Inc.
Aaron will discuss the factors leading to the degradation of our vulnerable oak ecosystems before and during restoration and how to identify and respond to these factors in your landscape. He will discuss methods for assessing your property, setting and adjusting attainable goals, and evaluating outcomes to maximize your available resources. These factors and methods also apply to deciduous wooded ecosystems in general.
Aaron has overseen the restoration of thousands of acres of oak ecosystems and oak-prairie landscapes throughout the upper Midwest. He is involved with all phases of ecosystem restoration projects from baseline evaluations to planning, management, stewardship and monitoring. His experience developing practical, economical and implementation-ready plans is based on years of lessons learned.
Katharine Grant
“Amazed by Invasives – 15 Years on 15 Acres”
Katharine Grant, Natural Ecosystems Management
Katharine will present her insights from 15 years of working to transform 15 acres of former cropland into restored prairie and savanna. She will introduce her favorite tools used to clear invasive plants, visit mechanical and chemical methods for managing weeds, and share tips for the long haul.
In her work with native plant communities, Katharine has mapped tundra in the Arctic, studied understory regeneration in old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest, and mapped riparian grasslands in Oregon. She received her M.S. degree in Forest Resources from the University of Washington School of Forestry, researching native plant communities. Moving to the Midwest in 2003, she worked at a grower’s greenhouse while finding her joy restoring the prairie she shares with her husband.
Katharine Grant, Natural Ecosystems Management
Katharine will present her insights from 15 years of working to transform 15 acres of former cropland into restored prairie and savanna. She will introduce her favorite tools used to clear invasive plants, visit mechanical and chemical methods for managing weeds, and share tips for the long haul.
In her work with native plant communities, Katharine has mapped tundra in the Arctic, studied understory regeneration in old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest, and mapped riparian grasslands in Oregon. She received her M.S. degree in Forest Resources from the University of Washington School of Forestry, researching native plant communities. Moving to the Midwest in 2003, she worked at a grower’s greenhouse while finding her joy restoring the prairie she shares with her husband.
Concurrent Session III 3:00 to 4:15 pm
Loris Damerow
“Urban Lot, Native Plants, Big Change”
Loris Damerow, Past President Wild Ones Fox Valley Area Chapter
When a road project impacted her residential landscape, this homeowner seized the opportunity to use native plants to create a new environment on her challengingly sloped urban site. Three years later, the buckthorn and honeysuckle have given way to Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum) and asters (Symphyotrichum), giving the landscape a whole new look.
Loris is an avid gardener, native plant enthusiast, and active Wild Ones Fox Valley Area Chapter Board member.
Loris Damerow, Past President Wild Ones Fox Valley Area Chapter
When a road project impacted her residential landscape, this homeowner seized the opportunity to use native plants to create a new environment on her challengingly sloped urban site. Three years later, the buckthorn and honeysuckle have given way to Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum) and asters (Symphyotrichum), giving the landscape a whole new look.
Loris is an avid gardener, native plant enthusiast, and active Wild Ones Fox Valley Area Chapter Board member.
Frank Hassler
“Restoring Your Woodland to Health”
Frank Hassler, President and Ecologist, Good Oak Ecological Services
Would you like to restore your woodland so it can be home to birds, butterflies, bees and wildflowers instead of buckthorn, garlic mustard and mosquitoes? Frank will sequence the steps necessary to restore sites ranging from wooded gardens to multi-acre tracts, into a stable, healthy natural community.
Frank has over twenty years of volunteer and professional experience in the fields of ecological land management and botany. His educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Ecology and a Master’s degree in Forestry. He started Good Oak Ecological Services in 2008 with the goal of not only restoring our Midwestern prairies, wetlands and oak woodlands, but also to reintegrate native plants and ecosystem services into our human environment.
Frank Hassler, President and Ecologist, Good Oak Ecological Services
Would you like to restore your woodland so it can be home to birds, butterflies, bees and wildflowers instead of buckthorn, garlic mustard and mosquitoes? Frank will sequence the steps necessary to restore sites ranging from wooded gardens to multi-acre tracts, into a stable, healthy natural community.
Frank has over twenty years of volunteer and professional experience in the fields of ecological land management and botany. His educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Ecology and a Master’s degree in Forestry. He started Good Oak Ecological Services in 2008 with the goal of not only restoring our Midwestern prairies, wetlands and oak woodlands, but also to reintegrate native plants and ecosystem services into our human environment.
Susan Foote-Martin and Mark Martin
“The Present and Future of Goose Pond Sanctuary’s Prairies”
Mark Martin and Susan Foote-Martin, Resident Managers, Goose Pond Sanctuary
This presentation will feature the Madison Audubon Society’s Goose Pond Sanctuary located near Arlington, Wisconsin and the past, current and future efforts of their prairie restoration work. Its 400-acre restored tall grass prairie benefits rare plants, prairie wildlife including birds, mammals and invertebrates, and other prairie visitors.
Mark and Sue have been involved with habitat protection and restoration for 40 years. They have been the resident managers at Madison Audubon Society’s Goose Pond since 1979. They have coordinated the acquisition, restoration and management of 800 acres owned by Madison Audubon in Columbia County. Both have worked for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) where Mark worked with the State Natural Areas Program and where Sue developed the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail and worked on the Endangered Resources license plate program. They have also worked with many public and private partners on habitat restoration projects.
Mark Martin and Susan Foote-Martin, Resident Managers, Goose Pond Sanctuary
This presentation will feature the Madison Audubon Society’s Goose Pond Sanctuary located near Arlington, Wisconsin and the past, current and future efforts of their prairie restoration work. Its 400-acre restored tall grass prairie benefits rare plants, prairie wildlife including birds, mammals and invertebrates, and other prairie visitors.
Mark and Sue have been involved with habitat protection and restoration for 40 years. They have been the resident managers at Madison Audubon Society’s Goose Pond since 1979. They have coordinated the acquisition, restoration and management of 800 acres owned by Madison Audubon in Columbia County. Both have worked for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) where Mark worked with the State Natural Areas Program and where Sue developed the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail and worked on the Endangered Resources license plate program. They have also worked with many public and private partners on habitat restoration projects.
