"Freshwater Invasive Weeds" - Kathy Hamel
The
Washington Department of Ecology’s Kathy Hamel will introduce you to some of
Washington's most invasive freshwater weeds and describe the waterway
problems that they cause. Freshwater invasive plants currently include:
Eurasian watermilfoil, purple loosestrife, and one of the United States
worst aquatic invaders—hydrilla. Kathy will explore the pathways for
introduction of these species and discuss their impacts when they are
introduced and become established. She will also look at management methods
being used to control them in Washington State. Kathy has been managing a
statewide Aquatic Weeds Management Program for the Washington Department of
Ecology for nearly 20 years.
Presentation
[PDF - 2.23 MB]
For information on this topic, visit:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/links/plants.html
"Understanding and Restoring Beargrass
to the Olympic Peninsula Lowlands" - Daniela Shebitz
University of Washington doctoral candidate, Daniela Shebitz,
will give a presentation on the importance of incorporating cultural land
management practices in the restoration of beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax)
ecosystems. Beargrass is a culturally-significant plant that was once a
dominant component of human-maintained savannas in the low elevations of the
Olympic Peninsula. Beargrass is a fundamental component of traditional
basketry for tribes on the Olympic Peninsula, yet it is becoming
increasingly rare to find quality material in the absence of fire. Daniela
will talk about the various restoration methods she experimented with in the
lowlands of the Olympic National Forest.
Presentation
[PDF - 11.8 MB]
"Ethnobotany as a Multidisciplinary Science"
- Alfredo Gomez-Beloz
Life does not function in a vacuum: it is affected by everything, including
us. As a ceaseless seeker of knowledge and enlightenment, Dr. Alfredo
Gomez-Beloz has come to a more holistic understanding of science. He studied
the wound healing plants used by the Winikina Warao Indians of the Orinoco
River Delta, Venezuela and the use of botánicas by a Mexican population in
the US. Dr. Gomez-Beloz has been able to bridge the multiple disciplines of
science to offer a more holistic understanding of the world around us
through his diverse teaching experiences. Born in Chicago of Mexican
parents, Dr. Gomez-Beloz offers a fresh and interesting perspective to the
multidisciplinary approach to science, especially ethnobotany, the study of
the relationship between people and plants.
Presentation [PDF -
9.89 MB]
"Your Highway Nickels in Plants and Pathways"
- Robert Barnes
Ever wonder about all of the decisions that affect the
plantings along our state highways? Robert Barnes, a lead Landscape
Architect for the Washington Department of Transportation, will present
"Your Highway Nickels in Plants and Pathways." Designer and expert planting
coordinator, Robert Barnes will provide an overview of the highway design
process with emphasis on the plants that make our drives dull or dazzling.
Especially if you live in Tacoma or Gig Harbor, you'll appreciate the
insights that you'll gain about our most used roadways, new pedestrian
pathways under construction, and the various partners that make it all
possible.
Presentation [PDF -
17 MB]
"A Visit to the Glacial Heritage Preserve"
- Wendy Gibble
May is the best month of the year to take "A Visit the
Glacial Heritage Preserve", one of the Puget Sound's last remaining open
prairies. Join us in Tacoma for an introduction to this unusual and
undulating landscape as Wendy Gibble, UW Botanic Gardens Rare Care Program
Manager, shares the findings from her Master’s research on possible causes
for the success of the invasive of hairy cat’s ear (Hypochaeris radicata)
into the South Puget Sound Prairies. We'll also get an overview of the
Washington Rare Plant Care & Conservation Program (Rare Care), located at
the University of Washington's Center for Urban Horticulture. This program
is the only conservation program focused exclusively on rare plants in the
state. The Rare Care program collects plant material from wild rare plant
populations and stores them in a climate-controlled seed vault for eventual
reintroduction into the wild. Rare Care also monitors rare plant populations
located throughout Washington.
Presentation [PDF -
1.54 MB]
"Mount Rainier - A Place We Love to Visit"
- David Uberuaga
Mount Rainier National Park Superintendent Dave
Uberuaga will talk about the extensive revegetation projects that occur in
the Park each year and highlight some of the challenges that these efforts
entail. Come learn how the park is maintained both by Park Service staff
and by the numerous volunteers that help to make it all possible. Our
speaker has devoted nearly twenty years at Mt. Rainier National Park and is
a recent recipient of the National Parks Conservation Association's
celebrated Stephen T. Mather Award for his dedication to the protection of
the Park, commitment to staff and volunteers. Join us as we celebrate the
glory of "The Mountain."
Presentation
[PDF -
5.98 MB]
