UW Botanic Gardens conference and symposia archives are available below. For information about past sessions of recurring conferences and symposia, please visit the pages specific to those events:
Ecological Restoration Symposium
Washington Botanical Symposium
2017: Sustainable Soil Practices
Sustainable Soil Practices:
Managing Soil Health on Your Site
Thursday, September 7, 2017
9:00am-4:00pm
University of Washington Botanic Gardens
Center for Urban Horticulture – NHS Hall
3501 NE 41st St.
Seattle, WA 98105
Program Agenda
Learn all about best practices for soil management, from analysis to action!
Through a combination of lecture, hands-on activities, and teamwork, attendees will learn about soil texture, chemistry, and biology, and how to interpret soil test results. Speakers will introduce innovative applications to address soil problems, meet stormwater requirements, restore construction-impacted soils, and develop a soil management plan. And the day will end with a discussion of best practices to promote long-term soil health, and the science behind why mulch matters even more than you may know!
Speakers:
- David McDonald, Resource Conservation Planner, Seattle Public Utilities
- Roy Farrow, Grounds Supervisor, UW Botanic Gardens
- Christina Pfeiffer, Horticulture Consultant
Professional credits: ASLA-5.75, ecoPRO-6, CPH-6, NALP/WALP-6, ISA-5.75, APLD-3
2016: Introduction to Landscapes on the Edge
Introduction to Landscapes on the Edge
Design and Implementation of Landscape and Restoration Projects
on Puget Sound Shorelines and Urban Ravines
Co-hosted by Greenbelt Consulting and University of Washington Botanic Gardens
November 15 & 16, 2016, 9am – 4pm
Center for Urban Horticulture
3501 NE 41st St., Seattle, WA 98105
CEU’s approved: CPH-6/day, ecoPRO-6/day, WALP/NALP-6/day, ASCA-5, APLD-5 first day, 5.5 second day, ASLA-5/day, ISA – 5.5/day
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
This program is designed to educate landscape professionals about the vulnerable nature of marine shorelines and provide guidance and instruction on how to better initiate, design, and implement successful landscape and restoration projects on upland buffers, shorelines, steep slopes, and beaches. Speakers will discuss critical area planning, mitigation projects, and focus on the importance of using native plants in shoreline landscape and restoration projects.
Expanding your skill set in this area will allow you to:
- Meet the growing demand for this type of service
- Implement successful projects, creating happy customers and positive word-of-mouth
- Increase your company’s market share
- Avoid regulatory problems, fines, and lawsuits
- Improve public trust in the landscape industry to meet these environmental needs
The public is being educated about the need for better management of shorelines and steep slopes, resulting in rising public demand for professional services. This is an optimal time to train landscape professionals in the specifics of designing, planning, and installing projects on marine shorelines and other sensitive areas.
Resources for attendees
Speaker Information & Materials
Elliott Menashe, Greenbelt Consulting, elliott@greenbeltconsulting.com
- Presentation – Elliott Menashe: Landscapes on the Edge are Different
- Presentation – Elliott Menashe: Site Assessment: Reading the Land
- Presentation – Elliott Menashe: Project Design: A Bio-Structural Approach
- Selected papers from Greenbelt Consulting:
- “Bio-structural” Erosion Control: Incorporating Vegetation In Engineering Designs To Protect Puget Sound Shorelines
- Slope Revegetation: A Checklist of Factors to Consider
- Restoring Native Vegetation on Coastal Bluffs in Puget Sound – An Overview
- Preserving Native Vegetation to Reduce Stormwater Impacts
- Reading the Land: Vegetational Clues Of Slope History And Stability
- Trees, Soils, Geology, and Slope Stability
John Bethel, Geologist, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Water and Land Resources Division, john.bethel@kingcounty.gov
- Presentation – John Bethel: Geology of Puget Lowland Bluffs and Ravines
- Presentation – John Bethel: Stormwater and Steep Slopes
Kollin Higgins, Senior Ecologist, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, kollin.higgins@kingcounty.gov
Erica Guttman, WSU Extension Water Resources Program and Native Plant Salvage Foundation, erica@nativeplantsalvage.org
Kat Cerny-Chipman, University of Washington, katcchip@uw.edu
- Presentation – Kat Cerny-Chipman: Tools and Resources for Site Assessment
- Site Assessment Resource List & Links
Stephanie Williams, L.G, Geologist at Shannon & Wilson, Inc., SAW@shanwil.com
Sasha Shaw, Education Specialist, King County Noxious Weed Control Program, sasha.shaw@kingcounty.gov
Susan Buis, Mitigation Compliance Specialist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Susan.W.Buis@usace.army.mil
- Presentation – Susan Buis: Designing, Installing, and Maintaining a Shoreline Permit Mitigation Planting Project: Do’s and Don’ts
- Brochure: Shoreline Mitigation Planting Plans
- As-built Report and Monitoring Report Forms available at: http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Regulatory/
Karin Strelioff, Environmental Specialist/ Landscape + GSI Design, Mason Conservation District, karinls@masoncd.org
Paul Van Horne, Shannon & Wilson, Inc., PVH@shanwil.com
Jim Brennan, Marine Ecological Consulting Services, LLC, Jsbrennan360@gmail.com
- Technical Report 2007-02, Marine Riparian Vegetation Communities of Puget Sound
- Marine Riparian: An Assessment of Riparian Functions in Marine Ecosystems
- Protection of Marine Riparian Funcations in Puget Sound, Washington
Christine Tasseff, Roots Landscaping and Restoration, tasseff@whidbey.com
Scott Moore, Watershed Steward, Snohomish County Department of Public Works, Surface Water Management, s.moore@snoco.org
Tabling Organizations
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
- Marine Shoreline Design Guidelines
- Your Marine Waterfront: A guide to protecting your property while promoting healthy shorelines
- Shore Friendly Program Website
- Determining the Ordinary High Water Mark for Shoreline Management Act Compliance in Washington State
Washington Native Plant Society
King County Noxious Weed Control Program
Additional Resources
Seattle Urban Nature: Replacing Invasive Plants with Puget Lowland Native Species
USGS: Summary of Land-Cover Trends – Puget Lowland Ecoregion
Our Cities: Solving Stormwater – A Film by The Nature Conservancy and Washington State University
Washington State University – Shoreline Living Resources
Grow Your Own Native Landscape: A Guide to Identifying, Propagating & Landscaping with W.WA Native plants. By Washington State University Extension.
“If you use native plants, there’s hope for slopes.” Valerie Easton. The Seattle Times. March 10, 2012.
Hansen’s Northwest Native Plant Database
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, PLANTS Database
NRCS Fact Sheets & Plant Guides
USDA Forest Service: Gardening with Wildflowers
Native Plants for Western Washington Gardens and Restoration Projects. By Washington Native Plant Society.
Native Plant Resources. By King County Northwest Yard & Garden.
Nurseries with Native Plants. By Hansen’s Northwest Native Plant Database.
Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association
‘Good Bug’ photo guide. By Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County.
Puget Sound Backyard Birds and Habitat
Washington State Department of Ecology Coastal Atlas Map
Tree & Vegetation Removal Information, Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections
Shoreline Exemptions Information, Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections
Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections GIS
Nearshore Habitat – How Bank Armoring & Overwater Structures Shape the Health of Pacific Salmon & Steelhead. By NOAA Fisheries Service.
Green Shorelines for Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish. By Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed.
Recommendations of the Expert Panel to Define BMP Effectiveness for Urban Tree Canopy Expansion. Chesapeake Bay
Using Urban Forests to Manage Stormwater Runoff: Researchers provide an easy method to estimate and compare urban tree impacts on stormwater. By Zoё Hoyle, SRS Science Communications
2014: Meeting the Challenge: Preventing, Detecting, and Controlling Invasive Plants
September 16-17, 2014
University of Washington Botanic Gardens, Seattle, WA
Conference Mission Statement
Invasive plants are a significant threat to biodiversity and ecosystem function. New introductions continue to emerge through a variety of pathways and vectors, while existing invaders continue to persist and expand their range. Changes in climate, land use, and biotic interactions present new challenges in controlling the spread of these invaders. Land managers and scientists will hear the latest information on how to effectively prevent, detect, and respond to these persistent and emerging threats. Conference presentations, both invited and contributed, will stimulate dialogue, raise new questions and offer innovative solutions. Participants from throughout northwestern North America will contribute ideas and meet colleagues for collaboration.
Keynote Speakers:
September 16 – Daniel Simberloff, University of Tennessee
September 17 – Jason S. McLachlan, University of Notre Dame
2014 Invasive Plants Conference Schedule
2014 Invasive Plants Conference Presenter Abstracts
Sponsored by US Forest Service
Supported by Oregon Department of Forestry
Hosted by University of Washington Botanic Gardens and PNW Invasive Plant Council
Steering Committee Members
| Sarah Reichard, Ph.D., Chair | Director and Professor University of Washington Botanic Gardens Seattle, Washington |
| Shawna Bautista | R6 Pesticide Use & Invasive Plant Coordinator US Forest Service State & Private Forestry Portland, Oregon |
| Matthew Carlson, Ph.D. | Associate Professor & Program Botanist Biological Sciences Department & Alaska Natural Heritage Program University of Alaska, Anchorage Anchorage, Alaska |
| Wendy DesCamp | Education Specialist Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board Olympia, Washington |
| Wendy Gibble | Manager of Conservation and Education University of Washington Botanic Gardens Seattle, Washington |
| Alison Halpern | Executive Secretary Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board Olympia, Washington |
| Timothy B. Harrington | Research Scientist Threat Characterization and Management Program U.S. Forest Service – PNW Research Station Olympia, Washington |
| Timothy W. Miller, Ph.D. | Extension Weed Scientist WSU Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center Mount Vernon, Washington |
| Regina M. Rochefort, Ph.D. | Science Advisor North Cascades National Park Sedro-Woolley, Washington |
| Lizbeth Seebacher, Ph.D. | Wetland & Aquatic Biologist Washington State Department of Ecology Water Quality Program Lacey, Washington |
| Mandy Tu | Independent Ecologist Pacific Northwest Invasive Plant Council Portland, Oregon |
Presentations
Opening Session
- Shawna Bautista, US Forest Service: “Direct and Indirect Impacts of Invasive Plants to Wildlife”
- Matthew Carlson, University of Alaska: “Patterns and Vulnerabilities of Arctic Alaska to Non-Native Plant Invasion: Estimating Current and Future Susceptibility in the Face of Climate Change and Development”
- Mike Leech, Spatial Development International, LLC: “Baseline Assessment of Invasive Species in the Puget Sound Basin and Other Activities of the Washington Invasive Species Council”
- Sarah Reichard, University of Washington: “Twenty-first Century Issues for Invasion Biology: Managed Relocations of Rare Species and the Use of Non-invasive Cultivars of Invasive Species”
- Sasha Shaw, King County Noxious Weed Control Program: “Thirteen Years of Bad Luck: Garlic Mustard in WA from 2000-2013”
Session A: Controlling Invasive Plants
- Jennifer Andreas, WSU Extension: “Flowering Rush: A New Biocontrol Project for North America”
- John Cantlon, EI DuPont deNemours and Company: “The performance fit using aminocyclopyrachlor herbicide blends in controlling invasive plants in the western USA”
- Tim Harrington, USFS Pacific Northwest Research Station: “Effects of logging debris and herbicide treatments on abundance of nonnative plant species after forest harvesting in western Washington”
- Todd Neel, North Cascades National Park: “Controlling Reed Canarygrass Populations in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area – Adapting to Improve; a Ten Year Retrospective”
- Ben Peterson, King County Noxious Weed Control Program: “Garden Loosestrife: a history in King County, WA and the latest control methods”
- Karen Peterson, King County Noxious Weed Control Program: “Fighting Giant Hogweed”
- Roberto Rodriguez, University of Hawaii: “A Custom GPS Recording System for Improving Operational Performance of Aerially-Deployed Herbicide Ballistic Technology”
- David Stokes, University of Washington: “English Holly in PNW Forests”
Session B: Ecological Interactions and Impacts
- Matthew Carlson, University of Alaska: “Invasive white sweetclover affects plant-pollinator community interactions in interior Alaska”
- Elliott Church, University of Washington: “Impacts of Invasive English holly (Ilex aquifolium) on Understory Vegetation in a Maturing Pacific Northwest Western Hemlock Zone Forest”
- Christa Mulder, University of Alaska: “Predicting flowering times of native and non-native plants in Alaska using data from herbarium specimens and citizen science networks”
- Susan Waters, University of Washington: “Impacts of asymmetric phenological shifts on pollinator-mediated seed production”
- Amy Yahnke, University of Washington: “Effects of aquatic herbicide tank mixes on metamorphic Northern Red-legged Frogs”
Session C: Prediction, Early Detection, and Mapping
- Elizabeth Bella, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge: “Elodea in Southcentral Alaska: Early Detection and Rapid Response in Action”[
- Barney Caton, USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine: “Quantitative Uncertainty Analysis For A Weed Risk Assessment Model”
- Julie Combs, PNW Invasive Plant Council: “Volunteers Make a Difference in an Early Detection Rapid Response Citizen Science Program”
- Jennifer Grenz, Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver: “Reaching Infomaniacs in a Post Brochure Era”
- Greg Haubrich and Landon Udo, Washington State Department of Agriculture: “A Hybrid Approach to Real-Time Data Collection and Mapping of Noxious Weeds”
- Jeff Lesh, Clackamas County Soil & Water Conservation District: “Improving efficiency of EDRR invasive plant management operations using optimized field data workflows”
- Santiago Lopez, University of Washington: “A spatially explicit model of the presence of English holly (Ilex aquifolium): Spatial relationships and implications for management”
- Frances Lucero, King County Noxious Weed Control Program: “Fine Resolution Mapping Methodology for Land Mangers to Track Efficacy”
- Sasha Shaw, King County Noxious Weed Control Program: “Piecing Together a Low-Budget Early Detection Volunteer Program”
Session D: Pathways and Prevention
- Sarah Cooke, Cooke Scientific and Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board: “Utilizing Ecological Principals of Weed Management in Wetland and Stream Restoration Design to Discourage Invasives”
- Warren Gold, University of Washington: “Crows and the Recruitment of Invasive Plant Species in a Restored Freshwater Wetland”
- Lizbeth Seebacher, Washington Department of Ecology: “The PlantRight Plant Risk Evaluation Tool”
- Rob Zisette, Herrera: “Milfoil Eradication by Diver Hand Pulling in Walsh Lake, WA”
Closing Session
- Anthony Koop, USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine: “The PPQ Weed Risk Assessment”
- Kayla Malone, Saint Cloud State University: “Battle Tactics from Camp Ripley; the War on Invasive Species”
- Steven Manning, PNW Invasive Plant Council: “Web Based Solutions for Invasive Species Managers”
- David Moorhead, University of Georgia Center for Invasive Specie: “Mapping Invasive Species with EDDMapS West”
- Miranda Wecker, UW Olympic Natural Resources Center: “Maximum Flex: UW-ONRC Meets the Evolving Challenges of Washington’s Spartina Eradication Program”
2014: Up By Roots: Healthy Soils and Trees in the Built Environment
October 15th, 2014
University of Washington Botanic Gardens Center for Urban Horticulture
Up by Roots
is a one-day workshop on October 15 that highlights the principles of soil science and their use in facilitating the growth of healthy trees and developing water efficient landscapes. Healthy soils absorb and hold water and nutrients needed to grow long-lived trees. These same soils retain runoff and preserve water at the site, reducing the need for irrigation and limiting potential impacts on nearby water sources.
This is a hands-on workshop that includes lectures and field work intended to introduce the underlying scientific principles guiding tree biology and soil-water relations. It is only through a healthy respect of these guiding principles, that one can effectively design, install, and manage soils and trees in the urban landscape.
James Urban, FASLA, ISA is a landscape architect with over 30 years of experience in the field of urban development. This workshop combines Jim Urban’s extensive experience with contributions from local experts to address regulations and conditions specific to our area.
Presentations will be relevant to urban foresters, landscape professionals, consulting arborists, tree care professionals, urban planners, landscape designers, sustainability professionals, landscape architects, municipal managers, land managers, and planners.
Resources for Workshop Attendees
Introduction
Session 1: Soil Science
- Physical_Soil_Properties_Daniel_Vogt
- Chemical_Soil_Properties_Roy_Farrow
- Soil_Biology_and_Organic_Matter_David_McDonald
Session 2: Tree Biology and Urban Soils
Session 3: Field walk – Soil Assessment
Session 4: Practical Soil Applications
- Soil_BMPs_in_WA_Stormwater_Code_David_McDonald
- Practical_Applications_Jim_Urban_Pt_1
- Practical_Applications_Jim_Urban_Pt_2
Additional Resources
- Narrated webinars based on Jim & David’s talks on Soil Science & Restoration, Green Stormwater Solutions, and other sustainable landscaping topics are available at www.seattle.gov/util/ForBusinesses/Landscapes/TrainingCertification
- New MS Word Specifications and dwg Details for: Planting, Soil, Irrigation, Tree preservation: www.urbantree.org
- Grow Smart, Grow Safe: A consumer guide to lawn and garden productsThe Grow Smart, Grow Safe® project is managed by Metro, the elected regional government for the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area, the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County, Seattle, WA and Thurston County Environmental Health, in Olympia, WA. http://www.growsmartgrowsafe.org/SoilAmend.aspx#Testing
- King Conservation District Soil Testing Program http://www.kingcd.org/pro_far_soi.htm
- Washington State University resources on soils and soil testing http://puyallup.wsu.edu/soilmgmt/Soils.html
2013 (and 2006-2011): Rain Garden & Stormwater Seminars
Since 2006, University of Washington Botanic Gardens has partnered with local organizations and agencies to deliver quality instruction in the field of rain garden and stormwater design. See below for information on current and past workshops.
2013 Rain Garden Training for Professionals
October 23-24, 8:30a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
University of Washington Botanic Gardens, Center for Urban Horticulture
3501 NE 41st St., Seattle, WA 98105
Resources for Workshop Attendees:
Rain Garden Marketing Presentation
King County Rain Garden Garden Permit Discussionby Mark Wilgus, Senior Engineer, Stormwater Services, King County, and Jeff Pray, Stormwater Engineer, King County
Presented by:
University of Washington Botanic Gardens
Stewardship Partners
Washington State University Extension
2006-2011 Stormwater Design Seminars and Resources
Sponsored by Seattle Public Utilities and University of Washington Botanic Gardens
Below, you will find the presentations from seminars and workshops designed to help landscape architects, contractors, designers, builders, architects, planners, and engineers start using innovative “Low Impact Development” strategies for on-site stormwater management.
These seminars were developed and funded by Seattle Public Utilities
(all presentations are in PDF format):
- 2009-2011 – Installing Rain Gardens and Cisterns (training for contractors)
- 2007 – Stormwater: A Practical Design Workshop for Professionals
- 2006 – Stormwater: Turning a Potential Problem into an Asset (overview seminar)
- 2006- Landscape Stormwater Strategies(advanced design & construction workshop)
- 2006- Green Roofs and Cisterns(advanced)
- Resources and Links
November 3, 2011
INSTALLING RAIN GARDENS & CISTERNS (training for contractors)
- Stormwater Challenges and the RainWise Toolbox of Solutions
- Seattle’s RainWise Program – Incentives and Contractor Opportunities
- Stormwater Code – Rain Garden and Cistern Sizing
- Locating and Planning Rain Gardens
- Locating and Planning Cisterns
- Disconnecting Downspouts
- Excavation, Soil Work, Grading, and Planting Rain Gardens
- Constructing Cistern Installations
- RainWise Rebate and Inspection Requirements
- Maintaining Rain Gardens and Cisterns
- Photo Gallery: installed rain gardens and cisterns
STORMWATER: A PRACTICAL DESIGN WORKSHOP
- Stormwater Challenges, and Low Impact Development Solutions – Start with the Soil
David McDonald, Seattle Public Utilities - How to Design and Build a Rain Garden
Curtis Hinman, WSU Extension - Bioretention Beyond Rain Gardens (swales, planters, parking lots, and more)
Tracy Tackett, PE, Seattle Public Utilities - Landscape Architecture and Plant Selection for Natural Drainage Systems
Shane DeWald, ASLA, Seattle Department of Transportation - Cisterns for Stormwater Detention, Rainwater Storage, and Re-use
Chris Webb, PE, Chris Webb and Associates - Pervious Pavment 101
Chris Webb, PE, Chris Webb and Associates - Permeable Paving: Examples and Lessons Learned
Kathy Gwilym, PE, SvR Design Company - Making it Last: Operations and Maintenance for Bio-retention Landscapes
Peg Staeheli, ASLA, SvR Design Company
January 25, 2006 basic seminar (overview of all on-site strategies)
STORMWATER: TURNING A POTENTIAL PROBLEM INTO AN ASSET
- Stormwater Challenges in Urban Landscapes, and the Toolbox of Solutions
David McDonald, Seattle Public Utilities - Lessons Learned from SEA Streets to High Point – Designing Swales and Other “Natural Drainage System” Projects
Tracy Tackett, PE, Seattle Public Utilities - Building and Project Management for Natural Drainage Systems
Jim Johnson, Seattle Public Utilities - Landscape Architecture and Plant Selection for Natural Drainage Systems
Shane DeWald, LA, Seattle Department of Transportation - Rain Gardens – Practical Designs for Bioretention
Curtis Hinman, WSU Extension and Puget Sound Action Team - Pervious Pavement: Options and Design Guidelines
Chris Webb, PE, Chris Webb and Associates, Inc. - Cisterns for Rainwater Reuse and Stormwater Detention
Chris Webb, PE, Chris Webb and Associates, Inc. - Green Roofs – Practical Designs for the Pacific Northwest
Rob Harrison, AIA, Harrison Architects
January 26, 2006 advanced design and construction workshop
LANDSCAPE STORMWATER STRATEGIES
Start with the Soil
- Infiltration in Puget Sound Soils
Jeff Fowler, PE, Seattle Public Utilities - Soil Strategies for Stormwater, Erosion Control, and Landscape Success
David McDonald, Seattle Public Utilities - Bioretention Soils: How much can we engineer soils?
Tracy Tackett, PE, Seattle Public Utilities
Natural Drainage Infrastructure: Design and Construction Principles
- Bioretention: Swales and Rain Gardens
Curtis Hinman, WSU Extension and Puget Sound Action Team - Bioretention Flow Modeling
Tracy Tackett, PE, Seattle Public Utilities - Pervious Pavement Design
Chris Webb, PE, Chris Webb and Associates, Inc. - Porous Pavement Case Study
Kathy Gwylim, PE, SvR Design Company
Designing, Building, and Operating for Success
- Planning and Permitting, and Integrated Landscape Architectural Design for Natural Drainage Systems
Shane DeWald, LA, Seattle Department of Transportation
Peg Staheli, LA, SvR Design Company - Getting It Built Right – Construction Lessons
Jim Johnson, Seattle Public Utilities (and panel of other speakers) - Making It Last: Operations and Maintenance for Long Term Success
Peg Staheli, LA, SvR Design Company (and panel of other speakers)
March 15, 2006 advanced design and construction workshop
GREEN ROOFS & CISTERNS
- Introduction – Why Green Roofs and Cisterns?
David McDonald, Seattle Public Utilities - Designing and Building Residential Green Roofs
Patrick Carey, Hadj Design - Small Commercial Green Roofs: Design Examples and Maintenance
Karen Davis Smith, LEED® and Cherry Snelling, LEED®, Boxwood - Sizing Green Roofs for Stormwater Management
Brian Taylor, P.E., Magnusson Klemencic Associates - Cisterns for Stormwater Detention and Rainwater Reuse
Chris Webb, P.E., Chris Webb & Associates Inc. - Cistern Project Examples and Lessons Learned, plus Update on the ”Water Rights” Issue
Tom von Schrader, P.E., LEED®, and Paul Dedyo, P.E., LEED®, SvR Design Company
RESOURCES AND LINKS
Best resources are in bold.
Low Impact Development – On-site Stormwater Management
Low Impact Development – Puget Sound Partnership – website
Low Impact Development Technical Manual – guidelines and specs for Western Washington
Natural Drainage Systems designs, photos, homeowners manual, plant list and specifications from Seattle Public Utilities projects
RainWise and RainWise Tools two linked Seattle sites with interactive information for homeowners and contractors
Rain Garden Handbook – plus bioretention soil specs and more
Low Impact Development Center
Seattle’s Green Building Program – local resources on sustainable building
Natural Landscape Maintenance
Practically Easy Landscape Maintenance – A Care Manual for Natural Drainage Systems –easy steps for homeowners and professionals
Soil Biology and Soil Functions: Why Soil Life Matters, and How it Works
USDA NRCS Soil Quality Institute see especially the Soil Biology Primer
Washington State University – Soil Management research site
Soil Restoration with Compost
Soils for Salmon – Soil Best Practices Guide plus many resources and specifications for designers ; basic soil information for builders is at BuildingSoil.org
Washington Organic Recycling Council – compost use and suppliers
U.S. Composting Council – compost specs, use, and testing standards
Ecologically Sound Lawn Care for the Pacific Northwest – see sections on soil prep, and topdressing.
Soil and Compost Design Specifications
Soil Bio-Engineering from WA Dept. of Transportation
Highway Compost Applications Research by Iowa State University
Compost Use Specifications by Iowa DNR
and see Seattle Public Utilities’ Natural Drainage Systems
Compost Berms, Socks, and Blankets for Erosion Control
Compost Berm, Blanket and Sock specifications from US EPA (look down this page to select)
BioCycle Journal – Search the index under “compost berms,” “compost blankets” and “erosion”
Erosion Control and Environmental Uses for Compost by Rod Tyler et al
Search the Internet under “compost berms” and “compost blankets” for current information.
Porous Paving – Design and Installation
City of Seattle Department of Planning and Development Client Assistance Memo #515 Green Parking Lots
LID Technical Guidance Manual for Puget Sound – see Porous Paving specs and installation
And see many more paving references in slides #38-39 of the 2007 presentation “Permeable Paving – Examples and Lessons Learned” at top of this page, and local examples and specifications available at Seattle’s RainWise site
Books:
“Porous Pavements,” by Bruce K. Ferguson; Taylor & Francis Group, 2005.
“Pervious Concrete Pavement” by Paul Tennis, Michael Leming, and David Akers; Portland Cement Association and National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
“Villanova Urban Stormwater Partnership: Porous Concrete” By Robert Traver, Andrea Welker, Clay Emerson, Michael Kwiatkowski, Tyler Ladd, and Leo Kob, in Stormwater magazine July/August 2004
Green Roofs
Seattle’s Green Roof website – best resources for this region
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities
GreenRoofs.com a green roof industry portal
Portland Eco Roof Q&A
Portland & Vancouver green roof clearinghouse site
Michigan State University Department of Horticulture Green Roof Research Program
Livingroofs.org UK resource about green roofs
Northwest Eco Building Guild
Roofscapes one of many emerging companies
Emory Knolls Farm Green Roof Plant Resource
Books:
“Green Roofs: Ecological Design and Construction” by Earth Pledge; A Schiffer Design Book, 2005.
“Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls” by Nigel Dunnett and Noel Kingsbury, Timber Press
“Guidelines for the Planning, Execution and Upkeep of Green-Roof Sites” by FLL, 1995 edition
“Roof Gardens: History, Design and Construction” by Theodore Osmundson, Norton Press
Search the Internet under “green roofs” and “eco roofs” for current information.
Cisterns for Stormwater Management and Rainwater Harvesting
American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA)
Texas Manual on Rainwater Harvesting (updated 2005)
LID Technical Guidance Manual for Puget Sound Chapter 6, page 133
Elisabeth C. Miller Library’s Recommended Information Resources – Stormwater Solutions and Green Roofs (books, articles and websites most appropriate for homeowners)
2012: Conserving Plant Biodiversity in a Changing World: A View from NW North America
University of Washington Botanic Gardens, Seattle, WA
March 13-14, 2012
Conference Mission Statement
We face an uncertain future – economically, politically, and climatically. Those concerned with managing, researching or protecting native plant communities, rare plants and their habitats need to be aware of these changes and have the necessary tools to effectively address them. We will have papers, both invited and contributed, that will engage all in a dialogue intended to raise questions and find solutions. Participants from throughout northwestern North America will contribute ideas and meet colleagues for future collaboration.
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Peter Raven, President Emeritus of the Missouri Botanical Gardens
Dr. Joshua Lawler, Associate Professor of the University of Washington
Download Confeence Proceedings 6.6 MB
Thank you to all of the contributors, volunteers, artists and attendees who helped make the 2012 Plant Biodiversity Conference a success! We hope that the working groups formed at the end of the conference will take the next steps and take action to advance our mission of managing, researching and protecting native plant communities, rare plants and their habitats through policy, research and education.
- Dr. Peter Raven’s Keynote Address, March 13, 2012
- Dr. Joshua Lawler’s Keynote Address, March 14, 2012
- Take Action! Working Group Notes
Botanical Art Contest Winners
The winners of the botanical art exhibit held in conjunction with the conference were announced Wednesday afternoon at the close of the conference. Conference attendees were asked to vote for their favorite illustration and photograph. The winners are:
 |
 |
| Paintbrush and Sedge by Louise Smith | Castilleja applegatei var. pinetorum by Daniel Mosquin |
Botanical Illustration:
1st Place: Louise Smith for Paintbrush and Sedge
2nd Place: Daphne Morris for Carex macrocephala
3rd Place: Jan Hurd for Rosa nutkana
Photograph:
1st place: Daniel Mosquin for Castilleja applegatei var. pinetorum
2nd Place: Michael Hannam for Veratrum viride
3rd Place: Morgan Turner for Blechnum spicant
Sponsors and Supporters
2011: The Science, Services and Performance of Sustainable Sites
Offered by:
University of Washington Botanic Gardens
American Society of Landscape Architects – Washington Chapter
Seattle Public Utilities
Presentations
- May 24, 2011 Digging Deeper into Soil by Katie Murphy, UW graduate student researching urban soils
- May 31, 2011 Native Plant Considerations by Ben Alexander, owner of Sound Native Plants
- October 4, 2011 The Science and Practice of Sustainable Sites: Watering without Waste!
Dave Hilgers, ASLA, LEED APR, R Miller Construction
Matt Suhadolnik, ASLA, LEED APR, SvR Design Company - September 27, 2011 Practical Implementation of Soil Protection & Restoration
David McDonald – Seattle Public Utilities
Howard Stenn – Stenn Design
Jim Berger – Port Blakely Communities - September 20, 2011 Observations from Two Parks Pilot Projects
Karen Galt, ASLA, Seattle Parks and Recreation
Clayton Beaudoin, MLA, LEED® AP, Site Workshop
Nora Daley-Peng, ASLA , LEED® AP, Obrien & Company
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 all day workshop
The May 18, 2011 workshop explored the science behind and intent of the Sustainable Sites Initiative with a focus on how the SITES guidelines can transform our urban ecosystems, horticulture industry, and design and construction practices. Educational sessions and small group dialogue identified current obstacles and brainstormed ways to hurdle them. The day built cross-disciplinary relationships, with focused discussion among a diverse professional community.
Urban Ecosystem Services & Their Value
Kathleen Wolf, Ph.D., University of Washington and US Forest Service
The What and Why of the Sustainable Sites Initiative
David McDonald, Seattle Public Utilities
Salmon Safe Program: Local Performance Demonstrated
Ellen Southard, Outreach Coordinator for Salmon Safe and Stewardship Partners
Urban Design and Sustainable Sites: Dual Performances or Dueling Performances?
Brice Maryman, SvR Design Company
Can Nurseries Meet the Objectives of SITES?
Tom Quigley, owner of Olympic Nursery and past president of WSNLA
Breakout Group Discussions and Reporting on Solutions and Next Steps
*Presentation posted with permission; authors retain full copyright.