Session six
Dan Hinkley
The Best Plants for Challenging Places
Dan Hinkley has a lifelong interest in plants which led him to receive his B.S. in Ornamental Horticulture and M.S. in Urban Horticulture. In 1987 he and his husband, architect Robert Jones, established Heronswood Nursery. Devoted to introducing rare plants to the gardeners of North America, this endeavor led him into the wilds of China, South and Central America, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Nepal and Vietnam over the past 20 years. He is the author of three award-winning books: The Explorer’s Garden: Shrubs & Vines (2009), Winter Ornamentals (1993) and The Explorers Garden: Rare and Unusual Perennials (1998), and his new book on the making of Windcliff, his private garden, will be published by Timber Press in late 2020.
Dr. Gwen K. Stahnke
Ten Things an MG should Know about Lawn Care
Dr. Gwen K. Stahnke received her B.S. in Horticulture/Turf and her Masters degree in turf grass, with a robust career path that has included teaching golf course operations, serving as area agronomist for TruGreen and sod farm management. She earned her PhD in Turf and was Turf Extension Specialist in Puyallup for over 20 years. Currently, Dr. Stahnke is Professor Emeritus, WSU-Puyallup REC, instructor for the Turfgrass Management program at Walla Walla Community College and a representative from the US. on the International Turfgrass Society’s Board of Directors.
Don Krafft
A Convenient Truth - Composting for the Home Gardener
Don Krafft is a WSU Master Gardener and Master Composter in Island County , focused on practicing and teaching soil and water management and composting for home and community gardeners. In addition to the Master Gardener and Master Composter trainings, Don has completed the comprehensive Soil Food Web and Microscope Soil Analysis courses and is currently managing composting pile at the South Whidbey Tilth Community Garden.
Jana Ferris
Leading Through Change: Empowering Volunteers
Jana Ferris is the Volunteer Development Specialist with WSU Extension, providing education, support, and systems management expertise to faculty and staff volunteer administrators. She has been actively involved in leadership of volunteer programs for over 30 years, providing academic preparation in education and organizational psychology, as well as faculty leadership of large (over 650 volunteers) and middle management 4-H and Girl Scout volunteer programs.
Bonnie Orr
Bonnie Orr has been a Chelan Douglas Master Gardener since 1996 and a Master Composter since 1993. She is an active community public speaker and has had a radio show for 21 years and a TV show for 3 seasons. Bonnie loves solving mysteries at the diagnostic clinic and the farmer's market booth. Her garden provides sanctuary and food for native birds and incorporate s more than 100 species of plants. She grows a year around vegetable garden. When she is not gardening, Bonnie is travelling as a bird watcher.
PANELISTS: Plenary Session
L. Katherine Baril, JD, MBA
Dr. L. Katherine Baril served as Director of the WSU Jefferson County Extension programs for 25 years and has been active in Northwest sustainability and resource issues. She served on the White House Panel for Sustainable Development under both Presidents George Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton, as well as the Northwest Sustainable Development Commission. She is a National Science Foundation member and has served as State Director, Northwest Water Resources Committee, State Chair of the Northwest Regional Enhancement Salmon Council and Mediator, State Timber Fish Wildlife Agreement. Dr. Baril also negotiated the Washington Water Law, Washington Shorelines Law and the State Watershed Planning RCW.
Chad Kruger
Gardening in the Shadow of Climate Change
Chad Kruger directs WSU’s Northwestern Washington Research & Extension Center (NWREC) in Mount Vernon, the Puyallup Research & Extension Center, and the Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources (CSANR).He has served as member of the Washington Department of Natural Resources Expert Council on Climate Change and the Washington State Climate Action Team as well as a number of Advisory Groups and teams addressing Climate Change.
Joan Qazi
Tips for Talking About Climate Change
Joan Qazi is the Geography instructor at Wenatchee Valley College and has been involved with sustainability initiatives for over 20 years. Joan is an active member of Climate Conversations NCW, the Climate Reality Project, and Sustainable Wenatchee. She is also on the board of the Washington State Farmers Market Association and has a deep appreciation for farmers and gardeners in her area.