Workshops

Please note that workshops are running concurrent to the regular technical sessions, and that there is a limit of one workshop per registration on a first come first serve basis.  Participation in a second workshop will only be allowed at the close of advance registration, and this will be on a space available basis.

WS-2. Know Your Grasses -

WS-1. Soils for Salmon: Soil restoration strategies for landscape success, regulatory compliance, and watershed health - see link below for workshop presentation

When:
Wednesday Morning

Description:
The health of our streams, lakes, rivers, and marine waters depends on healthy soils and vegetation to slow, infiltrate, and filter rainfall.  Likewise the long-term success of any landscape, from suburban lawns to ecological restoration projects, depends on restoring healthy soil functions.  New stormwater regulations in Washington also require a minimum post-construction soil quality and depth.

This intensive workshop will include:

• Overview of common soil types (with Western Washington examples)
• Introduction to soil biology as related to “useful” soil functions
• The connection between soil functions and watershed health
• Washington’s soil BMP regulation and specifications – as a model for other regions
• Erosion and sediment control methods that contribute to long-term soil restoration
• Terraseeding, live staking, living walls, and other bioengineering approaches with compost
• A primary focus on practical soil restoration methods for a variety of sites, from typical construction sites to critical area/native plant restoration to maintenance/improvement on existing projects
• Information on selecting materials and application methods
• A manual, handouts, and web resources for further learning.

Presenters:
David McDonald is a biologist and environmental scientist at the City of Seattle, focused on implementing sustainable landscape practices.  He has collaborated with citizens, regulators, local governments, and the building and landscape industries to create a variety of initiatives, from local Natural Yard Care programs to the regional Soils for Salmon, Sustainable Building Advisor and Low Impact Development professional training programs, and now the national ASLA/LEED Sustainable Sites Initiative and training around the US and Canada. His goal is to restore ecosystem functions (protecting habitat, recycling waste, conserving water and energy, managing stormwater, enhancing public health, and adapting to climate change) in the rapidly developing Pacific Northwest region.

Workshop Presentation

WS-3. Online Tools for Urban Habitat Restoration

When:
Wednesday Afternoon

Description:
This will be a forum to learn about on-line interactive tools for urban habitat restoration with hands-on activities. The forum will split into three work groups half-way through the workshop.

Themes/Speakers:

 

·         Habitat Mapping, Seattle EarthCorps Science- explore SUN’s interactive habitat map

·         Restoration Design, led by Justin Howell.   Justin’s newly created web-based application called “Restoration by Design” that includes tips, tools, and links for designing a successful restoration project

·         Plant Research Tools, led by David Giblin.  Explore the herbariums on-line collection, as well as a newly launched weed map.  Project overviews (30 minutes)- each speaker will present a 10-minute overview of his/her project

Hands-on exercises (90 minutes) – participants will spend ~30 minutes with each presenter exploring the tool by going through a worksheet or exercise created by the speakers that will help participants explore the site.  Participants should bring their own laptops. Presenters can answer questions and encourage the exploration.

Presenters:
Sharon London is the Science Director at EarthCorps.

Justin Howell recently completed his Masters Program at the University of Washington.

David Giblin, PhD,  is the Collections Manager at the UW Burke Museum Herbarium

WS-4. Use of Wood in Rivers

When:
Thursday Morning

Description:
For the past 100 years wood has been used in various forms in streambank erosion and restoration of hundred of miles of rivers.  There is a lot of variation in what has been installed such as  spur jetties of trees, pile fence and trees,  cribwalls,  rootwad/log and boulder structures,  log vanes,  rootwad roughness structures of various types,    rootwad trash racks of various types, and  Engineered Logs Jams of various types.  This workshop will discuss many of the various  types of wood structures through a combination of   speakers and dialog with participants.

Presenters:
Tim Abbe, Fluvial Geomorphologist, and Vice President with Entrix Inc.

Frank Reckendorf, Fluvial Geomorphologist  and Engineering Geologist., Reckendorf and Associates, and Adjunct  Associate Professor of Geology,Portland State University. 

Other guest speakers TBD.

WS-5. Using Plant Genetics to Improve Restoration Success

note - Speaker Abstracts and Handouts are now posted below

When:
Thursday Afternoon

Description:
Awareness of the importance of plant genetic provenance in restoration projects is growing rapidly.  Do you take it into account in your projects?  Come learn how you can improve your project success rates by identifying genetically appropriate plant materials.  This special symposium will take attendees through a series of presentations that begin with restoration genetics 101 and conclude with the incorporation of genetic provenance information into project design.  The emphasis is on practical, useful information that you can apply to your projects immediately.  The presenters are all actively working in the field of restoration and genetics.  A resource list with a glossary, bibliography, and websites will be provided.

Topics covered will include:

• Why Plant Genetics Matters in Restoration – Dr. Matt Horning
  Ongoing Efforts to Create Seed Transfer Guidelines for Native Plants – Dr. RC Johnson
• Keeping Track of Seed Source: Borrowing Some Ideas and Approaches from Forestry – Dr. Jeff DeBell
• Generalized Provisional Seed Zones for Native Plants - Dr Andy Bower
• Incorporating Genetic Information for Greater Project Success – Nancy Lankford
• Q & A Panel with all presenters, moderated by Susan Buis

Presenters:
Moderated by Susan Buis, WSDOT State Horticulturist and co-owner of Sound Native Plants.  Susan has been involved in native plant restoration projects for over 20 years.  Not a geneticist, she organized this symposium because she recognized the lack of locally pertinent information available on this critical topic. 

Matt Horning is a geneticist with the USFS PNW Region.  His primary role is to provide guidance to land managers on the use of genetically appropriate plants in restoration activities.  Much of his work is focused on creating seed transfer guidelines for native grasses used on arid lands. 

RC Johnson specializes in plant genetic resource management at the USDA Agricultural Research Service.

Jeff DeBell is a geneticist and silviculturist with the WA State Dept. of Natural Resources.  He oversees genetic testing and seed production for DNR.  He works closely with staff responsible for cone collection and helped develop the tracking system that DNR uses to manage the seed inventory. 

Nancy Lankford is the Silviculture and Ecology Program Manager for the Mt. Hood National Forest.  Nancy provides oversight for the Forest's reforestation and genetics programs including the collection and deployment of seed according to seed transfer guidelines.   Currently she is involved in developing a large scale revegetation plan for a proposed gas line that crosses almost every plant association and elevational band on the Forest.

Andy Bower is a geneticist with the US Forest Service, Pacific Northwest region.  His interests are population and conservation genetics, and he cut his teeth on seed transfer guidelines doing doctoral research on whitebark pine.

Speaker Abstracts

Handouts

Further Learning Handout

Glossary Handout

Tree Seedlings Known Seed Zone

 

<<Back to main conference page