Master Gardener and Master Naturalist
18TH ANNUAL TRAINING CONFERENCE
May 26, 2016
9:30am-6:00pm
Adele H. Stamp Union
University of Maryland College Park
Registration includes
Keynote presentation with Sara Via
Life in the Underground: Healthy Soil, Healthy
Plants, Healthy Planet
Concurrent sessions with 29 presentations
to choose from
Plenary presentation with Claudia West
Creating Stunning Plant Communities that
Stand the Test of Time
Master Gardener Expo featuring 10 hands-on
demonstrations
Master Naturalist class reunion and recognition
ceremony
Continental breakfast, choice of four lunch
options, and pre-plenary refreshments
Free parking
Trade show with over 20 exhibits
Opportunities to share experiences with over
900 enthusiastic volunteers across the state
AGENDA AT A GLANCE
8:00-9:30pm
9:30-10:00am
10:00-11:00am
Check-in
Continental Breakfast
Trade Show
Prince George’s Room
Grand Ballroom Lounge
Grand Ballroom and Atrium
Opening Remarks with Jon Traunfeld and Dean Beyrouty
Grand Ballroom
Keynote Presentation with Sara Via
Life in the Underground: Healthy Soil, Healthy Plants, Healthy Planet
Grand Ballroom
Various Locations in Stamp Union
Concurrent Session 1
Room locations will be determined after Early Registration ends
11:15-12:30pm
1.1: The Alien Invaders 1.2: Outdoor
1.3: From the
1.4: Eliminating
1.5: Wildlife on Woodland
among Us (MN)
Mushroom Cultivation Ground Up!
Murder: How Not
Properties: Identification and
Carolyn Puckett
Michael Judd
Lisa Mason Ziegler to Kill Plants
Managing the Habitat at your
Bryce Lane
Center (MN) Jonathan Kays
1.6: IPM Diagnostic
Walk for Landscape
Problems
Mary Kay Malinoski
Dave Clement
Debbie Ricigliano
1.7: Native and
Non-Native Trees on
the UMD Campus
(MN) Richard Jones
1.8: Dealing
with Insects on
Herbaceous
Perennials and
Annuals
Stanton Gill
1.9: Maryland
Monarchs (MN)
Pam Spencer
12:30-1:45pm
Lunch
Master Gardener Expo
Master Naturalist Class Reunion and Recognition
Trade Show
1:45-3:00pm
Concurrent Session 2
1.10: Zika, West Nile, Lyme
Disease, Ehrlichiosis: What
Mosquitoes and Ticks have in
Store for us and How to Prevent
Being Bitten (MN) Mike Raupp
Grand Ballroom Lounge
Grand Ballroom
Charles Carroll Room
Grand Ballroom and Atrium
Various Locations in Stamp Union
Room locations will be determined after Early Registration ends
2.1: Plants I Love
Scott Aker
2.2: Fruit Trees and
Cane Fruit with the
Fewest Problems
Stanton Gill
2.3: Introduction
2.4: Rain Gardens
to Basic First Aid
Gone Wrong (MN)
(MN) Cineva Kline Amanda Rocker
Eric Buehl
Krisztian Varsa
2.5: Native Bees in Maryland:
Their Status, Conservation, and
Management--From Big Picture
to Small Picture (MN)
Sam Droege
2.6: Protect and
Conserve Pollinators
and Natural enemies in
our Landscapes (MN)
Paula Shrewsbury
2.7: Tremendous
Trees: How They Grow
and How We Can
Help Them
Bryce Lane
2.8: Help for
Home-Grown
Tomatoes
Jon Traunfeld
2.10: Environmental Education
Tips, Tricks, and Techniques for
the Trail and Classroom (MN)
Alonso Abugattas
3:15-4:30pm
3.1: Geology of the
Maryland Piedmont
(MN) Martin Schmidt
Concurrent Session 3
2.9: Grow a
Backyard
Pharmacy
Donna Koczaja
Various Locations in Stamp Union
Room locations will be determined after Early Registration ends
3.2: Bird Friendly
Backyards (MN)
Kerry Wixted
3.3: Edible Weeds 3.4: Planting your
(MN) Lisa
Rain Garden (MN)
Gonzalez
Connie Schmotzer
3.5: Growing Media: What’s in
the Bag? What’s Best for Plants?
Jon Traunfeld
3.6: How Microbes
might Help your
Garden
Stephanie Yarwood
3.7: Trouble-Free
Native Perennials
(MN) Sara
Tangren
3.9: Plant Tree Roots & Not (Just)
Caliper-- Looking In the Pot
Before You Buy
Steve Allgeier
3.8: Demystifying
Soil Reports
Kristin Fisher
4:30-5:00pm
Refreshments
Trade Show
5:00-6:00pm
Creating Stunning Plant Communities that Stand the Test of Time
Grand Ballroom Lounge
Grand Ballroom and Atrium
Plenary Presentation with Claudia West
Visit the conference website for a complete listing of the presentation descriptions and speaker bios
http://extension.umd.edu/mg/training/annual-training-conference
Grand Ballroom
Master Gardener and Master Naturalist
18TH ANNUAL TRAINING CONFERENCE
REGISTRATION FORM
May 26, 2016
Conference Registration Rates
Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists
$74.00
March 14-April 30 Early Registration Discount
May 1-May 14 Standard Registration
$84.00
May 15-May 26 Late Registration
$94.00
9:30am-6:00pm
Adele H. Stamp Union
University of Maryland College Park
Please print legibly
Program
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qMG
qMN
qMG and MN
qNot MG nor MN
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OR Paper registration with check
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address below and make your check
payable to University of Maryland
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Please indicate up to three selections for each session, using
the number codes next to the title of the presentation. You
will be assigned to one of your choices and receive confirmation by email if you have indicated an email address.
Will you be attending the
keynote presentation?
Session 1: e.g., 1.5
Non-Member of a MG or MN Program
$99.00
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May 1-May 14 Standard Registration
$109.00
May 15-May 26 Late Registration
$119.00
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mail this form to the address below
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Session 2: e.g., 2.7
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Session 3: e.g., 3.9
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plenary presentation?
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Please indicate your lunch preference
qSalad Box: Spinach, bacon,
qTurkey Wrap
eggs, cheese, mushrooms
(gluten-free option)
qRoast Beef Wrap
qMediterranean Box: Hummus,
q None of the lunch
tabbouleh, baba ghanoush, pita
(vegan option)
options
Questions? Contact Alicia Bembenek
aliciafb@umd.edu or 410-531-1754
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Mail this
completed form
with payment to:
ATC 2016 (c/o HGIC)
12005 Homewood Road
Ellicott City, MD 21042
Refund Policy
March 14-April 30
Full Refund
May 1-May 14
80% Refund
May 15-May 26
50% Refund
After May 26
No Refund
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTIONS
11:15-12:30pm
Concurrent Session 1
Room locations will be determined after Early Registration ends
1.1: The Alien Invaders Among Us (MN) (Ms. Carolyn Puckett)
After the loss of habitat, the encroachment of invasive
non-native weeds is the biggest threat to our native plants
and animals. This presentation will focus on how to identify
some of the major invasive non-native plants and how to tell
them apart from look-a-like native plants. (B)
1.6: IPM Diagnostic Walk for Landscape Problems (Ms. Mary
Kay Malinoski, Dr. David Clement, Ms. Debbie Ricigliano)
Walk, examine, and diagnose insect, disease and abiotic
landscape problems. Rain or shine, dress for the weather
and bring a bottle of water. If you have a hand lens bring it
to examine small specimens. (B)
1.2: Outdoor Mushroom Cultivation (Mr. Michael Judd)
Explore growing fantastic fungi in the landscape for culinary
and ecological benefits. Presentation will cover inoculating
mushroom logs, wood chip beds, stumps, and burlap sacks
while improving your garden ecology. (B)
1.7: Native and Non-Native Trees on the UMD Campus (MN)
(Mr. Richard Jones)
This outdoor walking tour will observe and discuss native
and non-native trees of our area. Included in the walk will
be several of the 19 champion trees that can be found on
the UMD campus, as well as a discussion of what makes a
champion tree. We will also discuss the online campus plant
inventory, and how it is used to manage our canopy. For this
presentation, please meet on the brick patio in front of the
main entrance to the Stamp Student Union. (B)
1.3: From the Ground Up! (Ms. Lisa Mason Ziegler)
From the Ground Up includes the practices that are at the
root of the success and beauty of Lisa’s flower farm; starting
from seed and caring for the soil as the most precious gem.
Learn how to plant seeds directly in the garden and start indoors using the English method soil blocking. Lisa also reveals
the steps she follows to prepare the garden for abundant
growth and low-maintenance. (B)
1.4: Eliminating Murder: How Not to Kill Plants (Mr. \Bryce Lane)
Gardening is a challenge. All too often we make gardening
decisions with our hearts and not our heads. This results in
plant death and gardener anguish. With a little botanical
knowledge we can avoid the major pitfalls that lead to
garden failure. In this talk we will discuss the major causes of
plant failure in the garden, and what we can to reduce our
“murder” rates! (I)
1.5: Wildlife on Woodland Properties: Identification & Managing
the Habitat At Your Center (MN) (Mr. Jonathan Kays)
Learning how to identify the types of wildlife on your property and knowing a bit about their ecology and management
can benefit your environmental program. How to be a good
woodland steward and the opportunities available to site
managers to make it happen will be discussed. (I)
1.8: Dealing with Insects on Herbaceous Perennials and Annuals
(Mr. Stanton Gill)
Learn the diagnostic skills in recognizing the good and bad
insects that visit herbaceous plants and the least toxic control measures for the problematic insects. (B)
1.9: Maryland Monarchs (MN) (Ms. Pam Spencer)
The presentation includes information about the importance
of Monarch Butterflies, why they are considered at-risk,
things that we can do to help, and how to create Monarch-friendly (as well as all pollinators) habitat. (B)
1.10: Zika, West Nile, Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis--What
Mosquitoes and Ticks have in Store for us and How to Prevent
Being Bitten (MN) (Dr. Mike Raupp)
Startling new and disagreeable old illnesses are carried by
arthropods, notably mosquitoes and ticks. Learn what these
diseases are, why they have become prevalent, and what
to do to protect yourself from contracting arthropod borne
illnesses. (I)
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTIONS
1:45-3:00pm
Concurrent Session 2
Room locations will be determined after Early Registration ends
2.7: Tremendous Trees: How They Grow and How We Can Help
Them (Mr. Bryce Lane)
Trees are amazing organisms with tremendous abilities
to survive and adapt. Trees provide countless benefits to
our environment and our communities. The natural world
of trees is fascinating, and can teach us how to care for
them in cultivation. Do you know what the #1 killer of newly
planted trees is? What is the key to proper establishment of
2.2: Fruit Trees and Cane Fruit with the Fewest Problems (Mr.
trees in the landscape? The more we know about how trees
Stanton Gill)
grow, and the factors that influence their growth, the more
Learn how to grow late season Thornless Black berries, late
successful we will be as gardeners. This talk is divided into
raspberries, disease resistant pears, Saskatoon trees, Orienthree parts: amazing trees, how trees grow, and successfully
tal Persimmons, and Che Che Fruit. Learn which cultivars to
growing trees in the garden. (I)
select, and the most efficient training systems. (B)
2.8: Help for Home-Grown Tomatoes (Mr. Jon Traunfeld)
2.3: Introduction to Basic First Aid (MN) (Ms. Cineva Kline)
Help clients avoid tears and distress in this “Year of the TomaParticipants will receive an overview of emergency medical
to” by learning how to identify and prevent the major tomaresponse for victims experiencing sudden illness and physito diseases and abiotic problems that reduce yields. We’ll
cal injury. Discussion points will include safety precautions,
examine actual tomato questions and photos submitted to
primary care for unresponsive victims, and first aid treatment
HGIC and discuss best organic management options. (I)
for responsive victims. Please note this is NOT a certification
course. (B)
2.9: Grow a Backyard Pharmacy (Ms. Donna Koczaja)
Interested in having a medicinal garden but don’t know
2.4: Rain Gardens Gone Wrong (MN) (Ms. Amanda Rockler,
where to start? Learn about these must-have herbs that
Mr. Eric Buehl, Mr. Krisztian Varsa)
should be included in your backyard pharmacy and first aid
If the Chesapeake Bay water quality goals are going to be
kit. Growing, harvesting, and preparing each herb for thermet by 2025, it is critical that Best Management Practices
apeutic use will be reviewed, and a sample garden plan will
(BMP), which includes rain gardens, are designed, installed,
be provided. (B)
and maintained properly. Rain gardens are an important
and widespread practice used in today’s landscapes, but
2.10: Environmental Education Tips, Tricks, and Techniques for
according to the 2012 Severn River Watershed study, 48%
the Trail and Classroom (MN) (Mr. Alonso Abugattas)
of rain gardens surveyed were failing to provide any water
Regardless of how experienced we are, it is always great
quality protection. Come learn about common mistakes
to get new ideas and reinforce the basics of conducting
and solutions for rain garden design, installation and mainte- interpretive programs and trail walks. Here’s an opportunity
nance. (I)
to check out how an experienced interpreter conducts his
programs and walks, get some great handouts/examples of
2.5: Native Bees In Maryland: Their Status, Conservation, and
ideas that can be used, and have an opportunity to share
Management--From Big Picture to Small Picture (MN) (Mr. Sam
your own as well. In addition to tips, tricks, and techniques to
Droege)
be used on trail walks and more formal settings, many attenOur past native bee talks have emphasized relationships
tion-getting ideas, time-fillers, games, props, program ideas,
with plants and plantings, this presentation will focus on the
and resources will be shown that should benefit both novice
bees themselves. The types in Maryland, where they occur,
and seasoned naturalists. (B)
how many, and patterns in their natural history. Threats to
their populations will cover what little is known about pesticides, habitat change, habitat management, loss of plant
species, competition with honey bees, and disease. (I)
2.1: Plants I Love (Mr. Scott Aker)
Few plants have it all--good looks, a tough constitution,
benefits for pollinators, multiple seasons of interest, and
the ability to stand out in the neighborhood as something
different from what everyone else is growing. These are no
ordinary run-of-the-mill plants, and are worth seeking out for
your own garden. (I)
2.6: Protect and Conserve Pollinators and Natural enemies in
our Landscapes (MN) (Dr. Paula Shrewsbury)
Insects provide beneficial ecosystem services such as biological control of plant feeding insects, and pollination of
food crops and flowering plants in natural and managed
environments. Beneficial insects can be negatively impacted in managed and disturbed environments. This presentation will discuss measures towards protecting and conserving
these beneficials. (I)
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTIONS
3:15-4:30pm
Concurrent Session 3
Room locations will be determined after Early Registration ends
3.1: Geology of the Maryland Piedmont (MN) (Mr. Martin
3.6: How Microbes Might Help your Garden Grow (Dr.
Schmidt)
Stephanie Yarwood)
Since the Maryland Piedmont region has been at the core
Soils are the most diverse environment on the planet and
of several mountain ranges over the last billion years, it has
house billions of tiny microbes. These microbes carry out
developed a complex geology--all the better to make it
many important processes from N-fixation to plant defensinteresting! We’ll look at the results of colliding continents
es. This presentation will introduce basic concepts about
and how the geology shapes the landforms in the Piedmont
microbes and discuss some ways that they help in garden
region, as well as talking about sources of geologic informasuccess. (B)
tion that can help you know more about your geographic
area of interest in the Piedmont. (I)
3.7: Trouble-Free Native Perennials (MN) (Dr. Sara Tangren)
What is the overlap between IPM and including native
3.2: Bird-Friendly Backyards (MN) (Ms. Kerry Wixted)
plants in your garden? We’ll explore three ways native plants
Learn how to create bird-friendly backyards for any size
fit into an IPM program, and then discuss specific native
habitat. This presentation will go over native plants and
plants that have relatively few insect and disease problems.
practices designed to attract songbirds. (B)
(I)
3.3: Edible Weeds (MN) (Ms. Lisa Gonzalez)
This presentation provides an introduction to general principles of foraging including safety and harvesting considerations, edible plant identification, and wild foods preparation tips. The presentation will include a short hike to identify
some common wild edible plants. (B)
3.4: Planting your Rain Garden (MN) (Ms. Connie Schmotzer)
Rain gardens do double duty in our landscapes. As they
function to clean and infiltrate storm water they can also
become an oasis for wildlife with wonderful colors and the
sights and sounds of butterflies and songbirds. Learn how to
choose plants that “work” in your rain garden. (I)
3.5: Growing Media: What’s in the Bag? What’s Best for Plants?
(Mr. Jon Traunfeld)
Non-soil growing media is used by just about every gardener
for starting transplants, container plants, and even raised
beds. Learn how to evaluate and compare the wide range
of available materials for different types of plants and gardens. We’ll discuss sustainability issues and examine specific
products. (I)
3.8: Demystifying Soil Test Reports (Dr. Kristin Fisher)
The talk will cover a brief overview of how to sample soil
but will mostly focus on how to interpret test results once
you get them back from the lab. Participants will look at soil
test reports from different labs, learn what all of the different measurements mean, and understand how to interpret
them to determine what nutrients to add to the soil for best
plant productivity. (I)
3.9: Plant Tree Roots & Not (Just) Caliper--Looking In the Pot
Before You Buy (Mr. Steve Allgeier)
Everyone should plant a tree, but too often we buy the
largest tree our money can buy. Falling in love with a nursery
tree, without considering the roots, is dangerous. Learn what
to look for in the pot and how to correct root defects to
ensure your trees survival. (I)
SPEAKER BIOS
Mr. Alonso Abugattas (Environmental
Education Tips, Tricks, and Techniques for
the Trail and Classroom)
Alonso Abugattas is currently the
Natural Resources Manager for Arlington County Parks, Virginia. He has
over a quarter century of experience
in conducting environmental education presentations and is the long-time
serving Co-Chair for the local chapter
of the National Association for Interpretation (the professional organization for
naturalist) as well as being a Certified
Heritage Interpreter. He invites you to
check out his Capital Naturalist Facebook Group, Blog, YouTube Channel,
and to follow him on Twitter.
Mr. Scott Aker (Plants I Love)
Scott Aker is Head of Horticulture and
Education at the National Arboretum in
Washington. A native of the Black Hills
of western South Dakota, Scott started the Integrated Pest Management
Program at the arboretum in 1992.
He’s been managing the National
Arboretum’s world-renowned plant
collections for 14 years and has also
managed the Arboretum’s educational efforts for three years.
Mr. Steve Allgeier (Plant Tree Roots and
Not (Just) Caliper--Looking in the Pot
Before you Buy)
Steve Allgeier is a certified arborist with
the International Society of Arboriculture. He also educates residents about
safe, effective research based horticulture practices.
Mr. Eric Buehl (Rain Gardens Gone
Wrong)
Eric Buehl is a Regional Watershed
Restoration Specialist with the University of Maryland Sea Grant Extension
Program and serves the counties of the
mid and upper Eastern Shore including
Caroline, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Kent,
and Cecil. He is part of the Watershed
Protection and Restoration Program
team of five Specialists that provide
technical assistance and outreach
to all levels of government, non-profit organizations, and communities
seeking solutions to a variety of water
quality issues. Eric’s background is in
stormwater management, habitat and
water quality restoration project design
and implementation, and land surveying. He has been with the University of
Maryland since the fall of 2014 and has
a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies from Wesley College
in Dover, Delaware and an Associate
of Arts degree in Business Management
from Chesapeake College in Wye Mills,
Maryland. Before joining the University
of Maryland, he was the Land Conservation and Restoration Coordinator
with a small environmental non-profit
in southeastern Delaware. Prior to that,
he was manager of a local soil and
water conservation district in Sussex
County, Delaware, where he also started as the program manager of their
sediment and stormwater management program.
Dr. David Clement (IPM Diagnostic Walk
for Landscape Problems)
David Clement, Ph.D. has served as a
state-wide extension specialist in plant
pathology/IPM/diagnostics for Maryland Extension for the past 25 years.
His primary focus areas are invasive
disease species education, the correct
diagnosis of ornamental/lawn problems, and management of diseases/
cultural issues through IPM (Integrated
Pest Management) strategies. He coordinates, develops, and participates
in presentations and applied research
targeted to the Landscape/Turf industry and is located at The University of
Maryland’s Home and Garden Information Center.
Mr. Sam Droege (Native Bees In
Maryland: Their Status, Conservation,
and Management - From Big Picture to
Small Picture)
Sam Droege develops survey techniques and estimates of status for a
wide range of plants and animals in
North America.
Dr. Kristin Fisher (Demystifying Soil Test
Reports)
Kristin Fisher, Ph.D. works for the UMD
Extension Agricultural Nutrient Management Program providing technical support for nutrient management
consultants and farmers in the areas
of nutrient management plan development and soil fertility management.
She teaches and develops training
materials covering soil science, soil
chemistry, and soil fertility.
Mr. Stanton Gill (Dealing with Insects
on Herbaceous Perennials and Annuals;
Fruit Trees and Cane Fruit with the Fewest
Problems)
Stanton A. Gill is a tenured faculty of
the University of Maryland Extension
with a rank of Principal Agent/Full
Professor. His faculty position is to work
with the greenhouse, nursery, and
landscape industry in Maryland in the
adoption of IPM practices. He is also
a professor in the Landscape Technology Program at Montgomery College
where he teaches two 3-credit classes
per year. Stanton Gill is CEO and CFO
of MacBride and Gill Falcon Ridge
Farm, LLC, a 75-acre, three farm operation that specializes in specialty fruit.
Ms. Lisa Gonzalez (Edible Weeds)
Lisa Gonzalez, M.S. is an Extension Educator and Agent focusing on nutrition,
wellness and food safety. She has a
B.A. in Environmental Studies, a M.S.
in Integrative Health and a graduate
certification in Medical Herbalism. She
has been foraging for over 20 years.
Mr. Richard Jones (Native and NonNative Trees on the UMD Campus)
Richard Jones is an ISA-certified arborist. He manages the care and maintenance of the roughly 15,000 trees and
shrubs included in the campus plant
inventory. Prior to working at UMD, he
worked as the Lead Arborist for Glenstone, a large private art museum and
grounds located in Potomac, MD.
Mr. Michael Judd (Outdoor Mushroom
Cultivation)
Michael Judd is principal designer
of Ecologia, LLC (link is external) and
author of Edible Landscaping with a
Permaculture Twist, Michael Judd is a
well-known and enjoyed speaker, noted for enthusiastic and clear presentations on a host of subjects surrounding
edible and ecological landscapes.
Michael has been a presenter for
Mother Earth News and NOFA – Northeast Organic Farmers Association, a
guest on popular radio such as A Way
to Garden with Margaret Roach, and
a host of podcasts revolving around
edible landscaping, gardening and
permaculture.
Mr. Jonathan Kays (Wildlife on
Woodland Properties: Identification &
Managing the Habitat At Your Center)
Jonathan Kays has been stationed at
the Western Maryland Research and
Education Center near Hagerstown,
Maryland since 1988 as a Natural
Resources Extension Specialist. He has
responsibility for development and
implementation of extension programs
in the following areas: woodland stewardship, woodland owner volunteer
SPEAKER BIOS
training, wood energy, wildlife damage
management, alternative income
opportunities utilizing natural resources,
and the use of biosolids to grow forest
trees on gravel spoils. For more information on his programs go to www.
extension.umd.edu/woodland.
Ms. Cineva Kline (Introduction to Basic
First Aid)
Ranger Cineva Kline is the southeastern
regional coordinator with the Maryland
Park Service Training Division who has
managed the statewide EMS training
program in the Department of Natural Resources for the last seven years.
She is joined today by Ranger Maria
Reusing, the central region Training
Division coordinator. Both Maryland
Park Service Rangers maintain current
instructor status with the American
Heart Association, American Red Cross,
Emergency Care Safety Institute, and
National Safety Council.
Ms. Donna Koczaja (Grow a Backyard
Pharmacy)
Donna Koczaja, M.S., graduated from
Maryland University of Integrative
Health (MUIH) (formerly Tai Sophia
Institute) with a Master of Science in
Therapeutic Herbalism and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Clinical Herbalism.
She currently practices Clinical Herbal
Medicine at MUIH. Also a long-time
Master Gardener, her primary interest
is in inspiring others to improve their
health and sense of wellbeing through
the joys of gardening and the power of
natural medicine.
Mr. Bryce Lane (Eliminating Murder: How
Not to Kill Plants; Tremendous Trees: How
They Grow and How We Can Help Them)
Bryce Lane grew up in Western Massachusetts, where he discovered his passion for plants and telling others about
them, working at a local garden center
through high school and college. After
earning his BS in Plant Science from the
University of Massachusetts in 1979 and
an MS in Horticulture from The Ohio
State University in 1981, he came to the
Department of Horticultural Science at
NC State University as a Lecturer, and
Undergraduate Coordinator. Bryce
taught both large and small courses for
thousands of majors and non-majors.
He has received numerous local, regional, and national teaching awards
and is frequently invited to speak
workshops and symposia. He hosted
and produced a three-time, regional
Emmy winning UNC TV public television
show called “In the Garden With Bryce
Lane” for 11 seasons. Bryce is now
retired and spending more time with his
family, pursuing the next chapter in his
public speaking career, and teaching
part time at NC State and the JC Raulston Arboretum. He is an avid gardener
who has gardened in the same spot for
33 years!
Ms. Mary Kay Malinoski (IPM Diagnostic
Walk for Landscape Problems)
Mary Kay Malinoski received a B.S. in
entomology from the University of Delaware and an M.S. in pest management
from the University of California Riverside. She serves as a state wide Maryland Extension Specialist in entomology/IPM dealing with pest problems that
occur in ornamentals and turf for the
commercial Green Industries, the public, arboreta, military and other state
and federal agencies. She develops
program delivery methods through
web sites, fact sheets, books, posters,
professional meetings, webinars and
face to face trainings. Major emphasis is the management of native and
invasive insect through Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) strategies. Malinoski has over 30 years of experience in
plant pest/problem diagnostics. She is
also involved with regional and national IPM programming.
Ms. Carolyn Puckett (The Alien Invaders
Among Us)
Carolyn Puckett has led the Weed
Warriors of Carroll County for five years
and makes frequent presentations to
organizations on the harm non-native
invasive plants cause. She is a master gardener, a master naturalist, a
Maryland woodland steward, and a
member of the Maryland Invasive Plant
Council.
Dr. Michael J. Raupp (Zika, West
Nile, Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis: What
Mosquitoes and Ticks have in Store for us
and How to Prevent Being Bitten)
Mike Raupp is the Bug Guy. He works
with businesses, agencies, institutions,
nonprofit organizations, and the general public to demystify insects and
to develop sustainable landscape
programs.
Ms. Debbie Ricigliano (IPM Diagnostic
Walk for Landscape Problems)
Debbie Ricigliano is a certified Professional Horticulturist and lead Horticulture Consultant at the Home and
Garden Information Center (HGIC),
University of Maryland Extension.
Ms. Amanda Rockler (Rain Gardens
Gone Wrong)
Amanda Rockler is a Watershed Restoration Specialist with the University of
Maryland’s Sea Grant Extension Program. Amanda holds a graduate degree in sustainable landscape design
and worked as a rain garden designer
for a private firm before joining UMD.
Mr. Martin Schmidt (Geology of the
Maryland Piedmont)
Martin Schmidt is author of the book,
Maryland’s Geology, published by
Schiffer Publishers, which is designed to
give a basic geologic background &
then apply it to the state, for students,
teachers, and laymen. He has been
teaching grades 9-12 at McDonogh
School since 1978, including physics,
chemistry, and geosciences over the
years.
Ms. Connie Schmotzer (Planting your
Rain Garden)
Connie Schmotzer is a Consumer
Horticulture Educator and Master
Gardener Coordinator for Penn State
Extension, York County. She is part
of the program development team
for the Penn State Master Gardeners
Green Gardens/Clean Water program.
Dr. Paula Shrewsbury (Protect and
Conserve Pollinators and Natural Enemies
in our Landscapes)
Paula Shrewsbury is an Associate
Professor and Extension Specialist in
Entomology at the University of Maryland in the Department of Entomology.
Paula has conducted applied research
and extension education programs to
implement Integrated Pest Management for pests of ornamental plants
and turfgrass for over 20 years. The
overall focus of her program is to create sustainable landscapes, nurseries,
and turf systems with an emphasis on
biological control, conservation of beneficial arthropods, and management
of invasive species.
SPEAKER BIOS
Ms. Pam Spencer (Maryland Monarchs)
Pam Spencer is a 2014 graduate of the
Master Gardener Program in Baltimore
County. Her focus has primarily been
with the pollinator group. Pam has
been active in her community building
Monarch Way Stations, teaching, rearing, tagging, and launching Monarchs
with both students and the community.
Dr. Sara Tangren (Trouble-Free Native
Perennials)
Sara Tangren is a faculty member at
the University of Maryland Extension
Home & Garden Information Center where she teaches about native
plants and sustainable landscaping
for the Master Gardener program. She
received her Ph.D. in Natural Resources
from the University of Maryland in 2001.
Her areas of specialization include
plant biogeography, wetland delineation/mitigation, native landscaping,
native seed production, the native
plant and seed production industry,
and rare plant conservation. Her restoration work has included a collaboration with the Anacostia Watershed
Society to restore plant communities
along the Anacostia River Bank, with
the University of Maryland Arboretum
& Botanical Garden to protect the rare
wildflower sundial lupine, with MNCPPC
to establish native meadows, and with
PEPCO to restore a native meadow
community. She established the first native gardens at the University of Maryland in 2006,and she has designed and
implemented native gardens for the
Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Vice
President’s Mansion, and the NASA
Goddard Space Flight Center.
Mr. Jon Traunfeld (Help for Home-Grown
Tomatoes; Growing Media: What’s in the
Bag? What’s Best for Plants?)
Jon Traunfeld is an Extension Specialist with UME and serves as State MG
Coordinator and Director for the Home
and Garden Information Center. He
loves everything about tomato plants
and fruits.
Mr. Krisztian Varsa (Rain Gardens Gone
Wrong)
As a University of Maryland Sea Grant
Extension Watershed Restoration Specialist, Krisztian works with local and
state government agencies, non-governmental organizations, watershed
groups, and communities in Baltimore
City and Harford, Carroll, and Baltimore
Counties. Krisztian improves water qual-
ity through watershed restoration and
stormwater remediation techniques
by building partnerships, identifying
funding sources, and shepherding
restoration projects to implementation.
Additionally, he implements behavior
change programs to reduce nutrient
and sediment loads to local waterways
and the Chesapeake Bay. Krisztian
works in conjunction with other Sea
Grant Educators and the Watershed
Assistance Collaborative on statewide
research and pilot efforts that provide
technical assistance to communities
and recipients of Chesapeake Bay Trust
Fund and other grant programs.
Dr. Sara Via (Life in the Underground:
Healthy Soil, Healthy Plants, Healthy
Planet)
Sara Via was trained as an evolutionary
geneticist at Duke and the University of
Chicago, two schools with absolutely
no ties to agriculture or extension. Despite this impediment, Sara has spent
most of her 40 year career studying
evolution in agriculture. A few years
ago, Sara realized it was past time for
serious action on climate change, and
her current passion is climate education. In 2014, we recruited her to
teach MGs about climate change and
plants. Since then, she’s given many
talks to MG chapters, Master Naturalists, garden clubs, nature centers
and community groups about how
climate change is affecting Maryland’s
gardens and native plants, and what
gardeners and naturalists can do to
become part of the solution.
Ms. Claudia West (Creating Stunning
Plant Communities that Stand the Test of
Time)
Claudia West is the ecological sales
manager at North Creek Nurseries, a
wholesale perennial grower in Landenberg, PA. Claudia holds a Master’s Degree of Landscape Architecture and
Regional Planning from the Technical
University of Munich, Germany. In her
current role, Claudia works closely with
ecological design and restoration professional, offering consultation services
from initial project planning stages
to adaptive management strategies
after project completion. Her work is
centered on the development of stable, layered planting designs and the
desire to bring American native plants
back into our landscape by making
them widely acceptable. Claudia is
a sought after speaker on topics such
as plant community based design and
the application of natural color theories to planting design. Together with
co-author Thomas Rainer she published
a new approach to ecological planting design in her first book Planting in a
Post-Wild World (Timber Press).
Ms. Kerry Wixted (Bird-Friendly
Backyards)
Kerry Wixted is an education and outreach specialist with the Wildlife and
Heritage Service. She manages several
state-wide education programs including Project WILD and Wild Acres.
Dr. Stephanie Yarwood (How Microbes
Might Help your Garden Grow)
Stephanie Yarwood, Ph.D. is a microbial ecologist at University of Maryland
College Park. Prior to join the Environmental Science and Technology Department in 2011, Dr. Yarwood taught
microbiology at Oregon State University. Her research explores how human
disturbance effects microbial communities and in turn how those changes
may alter soil functioning.
Ms. Lisa Mason Ziegler (From the Ground
Up!)
Lisa Mason Ziegler is a cut-flower farmer, author, and nationally recognized
speaker on organic cut-flower gardening. Lisa has been farming since 1998;
her urban three-acre farm produces
thousands of stems of flowers each
week in season. She sells her flowers to
florist and through her CSA programs.
Lisa is the founder of The Gardener’s
Workshop, an online shop offering
the gardening tools and supplies she
uses in her own gardens. In season,
Lisa gathers experiences from day-today life on her farm. During the winter months she travels speaking and
teaching on this good life of gardening.