Workshop for greenthumbs
Published 2:00 pm Wednesday, February 26, 2003
Register soon for March 1 workshop
Enhancing wildlife habitat – why should we care? What can we do about it? Roger Fuller, a wildlife landscape ecologist with The Nature Conservancy, will explore the answers to these questions as the keynote speaker at the Whidbey Gardening Workshop. The workshop, an annual presentation of the Island County WSU Master Gardener Association, will be held at Coupeville Middle School on Saturday, March 1.
Maintaining biodiversity is key to preserving the magnificent environment that draws so many of us here in the first place, according to Fuller. He states further, “The natural habitat is being transformed into the human landscape. Both can exist if we do it right.” In his talk, Fuller will provide practical guidance on how each of us can “do it right” at the individual level as well as how to extend our efforts beyond our own property into the larger community.
As a professional with The Nature Conservancy, Fuller’s goal is preservation of the full suite of biodiversity in the estuaries, deltas, and near-shore marine areas of the Stillaguamish, Samish, and Skagit Rivers and their respective bays. The range of habitats found there includes wetlands, forested wetlands, grasslands, and tidal marshes. On the human side is a range of groups representing interests such as conservation, the timber and agriculture industries, Indian tribes, and commercial activities. Fuller stresses that finding common ground is the fundamental process for managing the intersection of human enterprise and conservation of biodiversity.
Locally, Fuller works with the Island County Weed Board on the eradication of spartina, an invasive grass that chokes out native vegetation, destroying shorebird, shellfish, and salmon habitat and food sources. Funding from grants provides resources for time-intensive surveys to find the small infestations so the county can focus on eradication of the large infestations.
When asked what he likes best about his work, Fuller responds with enthusiasm: being paid to be outside in beautiful places; working with the people in The Nature Conservancy and in community groups; and bringing together experts on a given segment of habitat to share their knowledge.
To learn more from Fuller about enhancing wildlife habitat on your property and in your community, register for the Whidbey Gardening Workshop. Choose from more than 25 classes on a variety of gardening topics. Log onto www.island.wsu.edu. Call 679-7327 or e-mail Judys@co.island.wa.us.
Session 1
9:45 a.m. to noon
Select a first,
second and third choice.
Yard Waste Composting-Janet Hall
Preserving and Dehydrating the Harvest-Vickie Eckstrom
Landscaping with Native Plants-Don Lee
Basic Orchid Culture-Frank Thompson
A Wildlife Watcher’s Landscape-Russell Link
Fabulous New & Different Perennials and Annuals-June Davis
You Never Have to Mow a Pond-Vanca Lumsden
Rhododendrons-Kristi O’Donnell
Drip Irrigation-Rabbitt Boyer
Ikebana, It’s Spirit and Style-Pam Nolan
Flower Arranging-Eileen Bendel
Botany For Gardeners-Alan Yen
Fruit Trees-Dave Thomas
Is There Life Beyond Rhodies?-Mary Fisher
Session 2
1-3:15 p.m.
Choose one 2-hour class or two 1-hour classes. Select a first, second and third choice.
Garden Design with Perennials-Ann McDonald
Planning Your Own Vegetable Garden-Linda Sue Schoenharl
Getting to the Root of the Matter-Dr. Rita Hummel
Soils-Craig Cogger
Sleuthing for the Sources to Plant Problems-Jenny Glass
Right Perennial, Right Place-Mary Fisher
Fruit Trees (in the field)-Dave Thomas
Session 2, 1-2 p.m.
Select a first,
second and third choice
History of Roses/Maryanne Coffey
Building a Drought Tolerant Garden/Linda Bartlett & Valerie Ruether
Growing Raspberries /Pat Moore
Herbs, the Plants, Their Uses and Care/June Davis
Bonsai Basics
Alternatives to Pesticides/Kristi O’Donnell
Session 2, 2:15-3:15 p.m.
Select a first, second and third choice.
Roses for Your Garden & Beyond/Maryanne Coffey
Everlasting Arrangements/Judy Griesel
Growing Strawberries /Pat Moore
Daylilies in the Perennial Garden/Barb Golub
Ornamental Grasses in the Landscape/Doug Kirk
