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GCA Conservation Study Conference
Summary by Anne Noyes, GTGC Conservation Chair The GCA Conservation Study Conference was held on Nov 17 & 18th with two hour morning and afternoon sessions each day. The quality of the speakers and their interesting and informative presentations cannot be overstated! Therefore, I will attempt a top line overview of the Conference but I urge you to visit the GCA Conservation page for access to the full recorded presentations. The Conference was hosted by Elizabeth Waddill, GCA Conservation Chairman and Carole Jordan, CGA Conservation Vice Chairman. |
Nov 17th - Morning Speakers
2) Molly Jones GCA, Portland Garden Club
Molly shared a brief history of the GCA’s involvement in land preservation that began in 1930 with one of Humboldt State Park’s (CA) most prominent Redwood groves. She also gave an overview of her club’s efforts in passing the Colombia Gorge Scenic Act and of the conservation activities of two very iconic GCA members, Ellie Kelly and Winsome Macintosh.
3) Lisa Ott, North Country Garden Club of Long Island
Lisa presented a brief background of the GCA efforts leading up to the passing of the Great America Outdoors Act and how it will enable national parks and other federal lands to repair and upgrade infrastructure to enrich visitor experience, protect resources and enable increased access for all
4) Sally Jewell former Secretary of the Interior, Obama administration
A former CEO of REI prior to heading the Dept of the Interior, this woman is the embodiment of a public servant. Her goal is in sustaining public lands for future generations through collaboration, compromise and making sure every impacted constituency is heard. Sally began by providing us with an over view of the Department of Interior and how it operates. ( I hadn’t appreciated the number and scope of its sub departments—-Indian Affairs, Fish & Wildlife, Science, Federal Land Management, National Parks and Public Lands) She highlighted some successful examples of land and monument protection through collaboration between industry and environmentalists during her tenure.
5) Ian Shive, photographer, author, filmmaker and environmentalist
Ian has worked on assignment with some of the largest and most impactful environmental non profits and government agencies in the world. Ian shared his breathtaking photos while explaining his initial passion which was to take landscape-only photographs of the US National Parks.
He then realized that since the parks were meant for people to visit, he sought to show the human interaction, both for scale and to encourage visitors. After successfully publishing photography books on this subject, he concluded that while the national parks were well known, and thus frequently visited, there were many nature preserves and refuges that were not. This led to his most recent project and published book, “Refuge: America’s Wildest Place. (Ian’s photography books are fo sale on the GCA website)
Nov 17th - Afternoon Speakers
2) Peter Forbes, Founder of Center for Whole Communities
Peter’s presentation focused on his project to return land to indigenous people, usually referred to as “reconciliation”programs. His methodology is to first try to understand and show respect for their history, then build trust with the community. Most critical is finding ways to obtain the property either through donated land or purchase of land from donations. The goal is to provide a sense of belonging for these displaced people.
3) Sam Hodder, Save the Redwoods League
Sam presented a comprehensive history of the California coastal redwood forest, including a significant role played by Frederick Law Olmsted in creating the master plan for the redwood parks. He gave a “shout out” to The Garden Club of America Grove and recounted the genesis of that project with historical photos. Biggest take away for me was that, due to their size, the California redwoods store more carbon per acre than any other forest—-a huge asset to combat climate change.
4) Dede Petri, Past GCA President and current President and CEO of National Association for Olmsted Parks—Olmsted 200
Dede began with a fascinating history of Olmsted’s work, which included more than designing and advocating for parks. (for example, he worked with the predecessor of the Red Cross in advocating for fresh air and exercise for recovering patients) She also included a brief account of Olmsted Jr’s involvement with the national park system system.
5) Corbin Harwood, Georgetown Garden Club,
Corbin spoke about the CGA Initiative, “Parks: Where Nature Meets Community” which is the celebration of Olmsted and his gifts to our communities. She urged GCA Clubs to plan local projects to demonstrate the GCA support for parks and public spaces.
Nov 18th - Morning Speakers
1) Diane Lewis, Bedford Garden Club, Vice Chairman of GCA Conservation and NAL
As the “architect” of “The Healthy Yard Challenge” Diane reminded us of the components of this pledge that all GCA members are encourage to make in order to keep our drinking water safe. She then introduced the next speaker.
2) Scott Bosse, Northern Rockys Director of American Rivers
The goal of the non profit organization American Rivers is to restore and protect American rivers. Scott gave a helpful tutorial on what is a watershed, how they function, and then how to protect and restore them. In essence, his recommendation for accomplishing this is to a) protect the headwaters, b) remove dams, c) steer development away from waterways, 4) minimize nutrient pollution and 5) join a local watershed monitoring group.
3) Steve Small, attorney
Steve’s practice includes private land conservation strategy which can give donors sizable tax advantages while protecting land from development.
4) Stacy Levy, “eco artist”
Stacy is a sculptor who works with natural patterns and processes often using water and water flow patterns. Many of her works address environmental problems at the same time they make the functioning of the environment visible. Her presentation gave examples of how you can achieve both beautiful garden design while adhering to sound environmental practices.
5) Women in Conservation Panel
Teresa Pierno, President and CEO National Parks Conservation Association
Diane Rigas, President and CEO of Trust for Public Lands
Jennifer Morris, CEO The Nature Conservancy
Gina McCarthy, President, The Nature Resources Defense Fund
November 18th - Afternoon Speakers
2) Jim Blackburn, environmental lawyer and professor at Baker Institute of Public Policy, Rice University
The Baker Institute is developing national practices for storing (carbon capture) and selling carbon, thereby linking economics with ecology. According to Jim, more and more banks and other lending institutions are requiring corporations to have a “carbon plan” to demonstrate how they are avoiding, minimizing or capturing and storing carbon emissions. The incentives are also there to find was to use this stored carbon in making other products. So, amazingly, The Baker Institute is creating a market for carbon!
He also spoke about carbon farming solutions whereby landowners volunteer not to plow for 10 years and grow native plants and then can sell the CO2 accumulated underground.
3) Katy Kinsolving, Millbrook Garden Club, Vice Chair of Sustainable Agriculture and NAL
Katy spoke about the connection between climate change and how it affects our food. She gave a presentation of how to make a Thanksgiving side dish of wild rice and organic vegetables.
4) Dr Cullen Geiselman, Bracken Cave Preserve and and former Chair of Bat Conservation International
Cullen’s fascinating presentation could turn you into a bat lover!
Bats are helpful in many ways. For example, insect eating bats reduce the need for pesticides and fruit eating bats help propagate plants.
She stressed the importance of conserving their habitats to avoid another pandemic.
- Douglas Brinkley, Professor, Author, Commentator
2) Molly Jones GCA, Portland Garden Club
Molly shared a brief history of the GCA’s involvement in land preservation that began in 1930 with one of Humboldt State Park’s (CA) most prominent Redwood groves. She also gave an overview of her club’s efforts in passing the Colombia Gorge Scenic Act and of the conservation activities of two very iconic GCA members, Ellie Kelly and Winsome Macintosh.
3) Lisa Ott, North Country Garden Club of Long Island
Lisa presented a brief background of the GCA efforts leading up to the passing of the Great America Outdoors Act and how it will enable national parks and other federal lands to repair and upgrade infrastructure to enrich visitor experience, protect resources and enable increased access for all
4) Sally Jewell former Secretary of the Interior, Obama administration
A former CEO of REI prior to heading the Dept of the Interior, this woman is the embodiment of a public servant. Her goal is in sustaining public lands for future generations through collaboration, compromise and making sure every impacted constituency is heard. Sally began by providing us with an over view of the Department of Interior and how it operates. ( I hadn’t appreciated the number and scope of its sub departments—-Indian Affairs, Fish & Wildlife, Science, Federal Land Management, National Parks and Public Lands) She highlighted some successful examples of land and monument protection through collaboration between industry and environmentalists during her tenure.
5) Ian Shive, photographer, author, filmmaker and environmentalist
Ian has worked on assignment with some of the largest and most impactful environmental non profits and government agencies in the world. Ian shared his breathtaking photos while explaining his initial passion which was to take landscape-only photographs of the US National Parks.
He then realized that since the parks were meant for people to visit, he sought to show the human interaction, both for scale and to encourage visitors. After successfully publishing photography books on this subject, he concluded that while the national parks were well known, and thus frequently visited, there were many nature preserves and refuges that were not. This led to his most recent project and published book, “Refuge: America’s Wildest Place. (Ian’s photography books are fo sale on the GCA website)
Nov 17th - Afternoon Speakers
- Micheal Jamison, National Parks Conservation Association
2) Peter Forbes, Founder of Center for Whole Communities
Peter’s presentation focused on his project to return land to indigenous people, usually referred to as “reconciliation”programs. His methodology is to first try to understand and show respect for their history, then build trust with the community. Most critical is finding ways to obtain the property either through donated land or purchase of land from donations. The goal is to provide a sense of belonging for these displaced people.
3) Sam Hodder, Save the Redwoods League
Sam presented a comprehensive history of the California coastal redwood forest, including a significant role played by Frederick Law Olmsted in creating the master plan for the redwood parks. He gave a “shout out” to The Garden Club of America Grove and recounted the genesis of that project with historical photos. Biggest take away for me was that, due to their size, the California redwoods store more carbon per acre than any other forest—-a huge asset to combat climate change.
4) Dede Petri, Past GCA President and current President and CEO of National Association for Olmsted Parks—Olmsted 200
Dede began with a fascinating history of Olmsted’s work, which included more than designing and advocating for parks. (for example, he worked with the predecessor of the Red Cross in advocating for fresh air and exercise for recovering patients) She also included a brief account of Olmsted Jr’s involvement with the national park system system.
5) Corbin Harwood, Georgetown Garden Club,
Corbin spoke about the CGA Initiative, “Parks: Where Nature Meets Community” which is the celebration of Olmsted and his gifts to our communities. She urged GCA Clubs to plan local projects to demonstrate the GCA support for parks and public spaces.
Nov 18th - Morning Speakers
1) Diane Lewis, Bedford Garden Club, Vice Chairman of GCA Conservation and NAL
As the “architect” of “The Healthy Yard Challenge” Diane reminded us of the components of this pledge that all GCA members are encourage to make in order to keep our drinking water safe. She then introduced the next speaker.
2) Scott Bosse, Northern Rockys Director of American Rivers
The goal of the non profit organization American Rivers is to restore and protect American rivers. Scott gave a helpful tutorial on what is a watershed, how they function, and then how to protect and restore them. In essence, his recommendation for accomplishing this is to a) protect the headwaters, b) remove dams, c) steer development away from waterways, 4) minimize nutrient pollution and 5) join a local watershed monitoring group.
3) Steve Small, attorney
Steve’s practice includes private land conservation strategy which can give donors sizable tax advantages while protecting land from development.
4) Stacy Levy, “eco artist”
Stacy is a sculptor who works with natural patterns and processes often using water and water flow patterns. Many of her works address environmental problems at the same time they make the functioning of the environment visible. Her presentation gave examples of how you can achieve both beautiful garden design while adhering to sound environmental practices.
5) Women in Conservation Panel
Teresa Pierno, President and CEO National Parks Conservation Association
Diane Rigas, President and CEO of Trust for Public Lands
Jennifer Morris, CEO The Nature Conservancy
Gina McCarthy, President, The Nature Resources Defense Fund
November 18th - Afternoon Speakers
- Richard Louv, author
2) Jim Blackburn, environmental lawyer and professor at Baker Institute of Public Policy, Rice University
The Baker Institute is developing national practices for storing (carbon capture) and selling carbon, thereby linking economics with ecology. According to Jim, more and more banks and other lending institutions are requiring corporations to have a “carbon plan” to demonstrate how they are avoiding, minimizing or capturing and storing carbon emissions. The incentives are also there to find was to use this stored carbon in making other products. So, amazingly, The Baker Institute is creating a market for carbon!
He also spoke about carbon farming solutions whereby landowners volunteer not to plow for 10 years and grow native plants and then can sell the CO2 accumulated underground.
3) Katy Kinsolving, Millbrook Garden Club, Vice Chair of Sustainable Agriculture and NAL
Katy spoke about the connection between climate change and how it affects our food. She gave a presentation of how to make a Thanksgiving side dish of wild rice and organic vegetables.
4) Dr Cullen Geiselman, Bracken Cave Preserve and and former Chair of Bat Conservation International
Cullen’s fascinating presentation could turn you into a bat lover!
Bats are helpful in many ways. For example, insect eating bats reduce the need for pesticides and fruit eating bats help propagate plants.
She stressed the importance of conserving their habitats to avoid another pandemic.
