Public is invited to participate
The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is hosting Field Notes at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center: A symposium to share ecological knowledge in an urban setting, This interactive and intimate environmental event Thursday, Sept. 14 and Friday, Sept. 15 will connect Houston area practitioners so they can share on-the-ground knowledge and discuss larger conservation initiatives. It is open to the public for anyone interested in learning about conservation and restoration in an urban setting.
The goal of Field Notes is to foster meaningful dialogue across multi-disciplinary fields – practitioners, educators, designers, landscapers, planners, engineers, and contractors – regarding the methods, management, and messaging for ecological restoration in an urban setting. Participants will connect, compare notes, learn best practices, and become better educators and experts to support and strengthen urban ecological restoration practices, foster collaboration, and encourage innovation to benefit the Greater Houston Region.
All indoor presentations will be at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center Building. The address is 120 West Loop North (610 Parking Loop) or 4501 Woodway Dr. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear presentations on relevant topics, engage in panel/facilitated discussions, as well as small group breakout sessions, and attend guided walking tours of the Arboretum, for only $65 for the two-day symposium.
Registration will be capped at 100 people so that the Arboretum can assure successful interaction between presenters and attendees and to facilitate effective field tours and breakout sessions. Lunch is provided each day, and participants can enjoy a happy hour event on Sept. 14.
“We are excited to open Field Notes to the public since so many people in the Houston area are interested and engaged in ecological issues that affect them and their families,” says Debbie Markey, Houston Arboretum’s Executive Director. “The symposium will have some of the best and the brightest from nonprofits, foundations, government entities and the private sector who will educate, enlighten and also learn from their peers. One of the highlights will be a presentation by Fin & Fur Films, a Texas-based, Emmy-nominated production company focusing on wildlife, adventure and conservation stories.”
Sessions begin at 9 a.m. each day, with coffee and water available at 8:30 a.m. To register, visit https://houstonarboretum.org/field-notes-symposium/.
The schedule, topics and presenters are:
Thursday, Sept. 14 – Day 1
WHY SESSION: The need for the Arboretum’s recent restoration and the region’s larger green movement.
9:10-9:50 a.m. Presenters:
Debbie Markey- Houston Arboretum
Jaime Gonzalez- The Nature Conservancy
Kelli Ondracek- Houston Parks and Recreation Department
9:50-10:50 a.m. Panel/Facilitated Discussion:
Jaime Gonzalez- The Nature Conservancy
Kelli Ondracek- Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Justin Bower- Houston-Galveston Area Council
Danielle Pieranunzi- SITES Green Business Certification Inc.
Sarah Newbery- Kinder Foundation
10:50-11 a.m. Break
11-11:40 a.m. WHY Break-out session
HOW SESSION: How to design, construct, and integrate environmental restoration projects in an urban setting
11:40 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Houston Arboretum Master Plan implemented by Design Workshop: Conners Ladner
12:10-12:55 p.m. Lunch and Video from the Urban Land Institute
12:55-1:25 p.m. Presenters:
Emily Manderson- Blackland Collaborative
Jason Burt- Forney Construction
Susan Sherrod- Biohabitats
1:25-2:35 p.m. Panel/Facilitated Discussion:
Jason Burt- Forney Construction
Susan Sherrod- Biohabitats
Carolyn White- Harris County Public Health
Beth Clark- Clark Condon
Conners Ladner- Design Workshop
2:35-2:40 p.m. Break
2:40-3:25 p.m. HOW Break-out session
3:25-4:35 p.m. Walking tour – Designed Areas: Donor Retention Pond, Savanna Boardwalk, Ravine, and Courtyard
4:35-4:45 Symposium Day One Recap
4:45-6 p.m. Happy Hour
Friday, Sept. 15 – Day 2
9-9:10 a.m. Brief overview of the day
9:10-9:25 a.m. Natural Channel Design-Ravine Restoration at the Arboretum: Brett Jordan
MANAGE SESSION: Managing and monitoring restored ecosystems to reach and maintain goals
9:25-10:10 a.m. Presenters:
Stephen Benigno- Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Lee Marlowe- San Antonio River Authority
Marissa Llosa- Houston Parks Board
10:10-11:10 a.m. Panel/Facilitated Discussion:
Lee Marlowe- San Antonio River Authority
Marissa Llosa- Houston Parks Board
Courtney Hall- Memorial Park Conservancy
Derek Sanford- Armand Bayou Nature Center
Gabriela Sosa- Buffalo Bayou Partnerships
11:10-11:20 a.m. Break
11:20-Noon MANAGE Break-out session
Noon-12:30 p.m. Lunch
12:30-1:40 p.m. Walking tour: Prescribed fire and goat grazing areas
MESSAGE SESSION: How to communicate, educate, and inspire
1:40-2:15 p.m. Presenters:
Tiffany Ritter- Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Valeria Casas- Student Conservation Association
Treasa Antony- Nature Heritage Society
2:15-3:25 p.m. Panel/Facilitated Discussion
Valeria Casas- Student Conservation Association
Treasa Antony- Nature Heritage Society
Anica Haymes- Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Becky Martinez- Bayou Land Conservancy
Bethany Foshée- Coastal Prairie Conservancy
Dany Millikin- Houston Botanic Garden
3:25-3:35 p.m. Break
3:35-4:15 p.m. MESSAGE Break-out session
4:15-4:35 p.m. Fin and Fur presentation
https://www.finandfurfilms.com/
4:35-5 p.m. Facilitated discussion and re-cap of workshop
Sponsors for Field Notes include: Blackland Collective, Design Workshop, the Garden Club of Greater Houston, Grow and Co Landscaping and SER Texas (Society for Ecological Restoration.)