FORREST KEELING Fall Field Day
September 19, 2024
Sara Parker Pauley is our keynote for this year’s 2024 Fall Field Day, and we couldn’t be more excited. Sara will retire on July 1 as the Missouri Department of Conservation director. Under her leadership, MDC continued to further its mission of protecting the state’s natural resources. However, her dedication and talent have made Sara a recognized conservation leader globally. A leader who continues her commitment to our Field Day theme, ‘One Health’. ‘One Health’ is a collaborative effort to achieve optimal health for people, animals, and our environment.
Be sure to save the date!
Thursday, September 19, 2024
Connect with like-minded professionals working towards clean air, pure water, and renewed earth.
· Nationally acclaimed speakers
· Production tours
· Farm-to-table luncheon
· Multi-track morning and afternoon breakouts on nature-based solutions for livable environments including urban forestry concepts, soil remediation, and reversing the tide of invasive species.
This year’s exciting breakout topics include urban forestry concepts, soil remediation, and reversing the tide of invasive species. You’ll learn from green industry experts including:
Paul M. Harris, Program Director, and Hongbin Gao, Senior Landscape Designer – The Importance of Green Spaces for Human Health in Urban Environments
Harris and Gao from the Atlantic State Legal Foundation (ASLF) will share their extensive experience and expertise at our event. ASLF is an environmental non-profit organization that provides technical assistance for agroforestry, urban forestry, green infrastructure, and related projects. Learn how ASLF has created over a dozen food forests in Central New York urban areas and related outreach and education initiatives. Hear this duo discuss their agroforestry program from the perspective of a non-profit organization navigating a landscape of multiple partnerships and resources.
Chung-Ho Lin, Ph. D., Center for Agroforestry, University of Missouri-Columbia – Agroforestry and One Health
He is the lead scientist for the Bioremediation, Natural Products, and Bioanalytical programs at the Center for Agroforestry at the University of Missouri. Dr. Lin will share insights from his primary research, which involves using plants, microbes, and engineered enzymes for bioremediation, ecological restoration, and the development of the bioeconomy.
Jerany Jackson, Great Rivers Engineering – Nature-Based Solutions for Livable Environments
Native landscaping has gained significant traction in commercial and urban projects, touted for its environmental benefits, cost-effectiveness, and aesthetic appeal. However, implementing native plants in these settings is not without its challenges. This presentation aims to comprehensively analyze the pros and cons associated with native landscaping in commercial and urban contexts. We will delve into the practical experiences of implementing native landscaping in commercial and urban projects through case studies and real-world examples. Also we will explore successful strategies, common pitfalls, and lessons learned to provide a balanced perspective. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how to maximize the benefits of native landscaping while navigating its inherent challenges, ultimately leading to more sustainable and attractive urban environments.
Meagan Love, Compton Gardens and Arboretum & Foresting the Future Program Manager, The Peel Compton Foundation – Working Landscapes/Urban Forestry
The Peel Compton Foundation is committed to connecting the community through nature, education, recreation, and preservation with four unique sites located in Bentonville Arkansas. This presentation will explore The Peel Museum and Botanical Garden, Osage Park, Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, and Compton Gardens and Arboretum. Meagan will also explain how The Peel Compton Foundation is dedicated to improving tree canopy within our community through the ‘Foresting the Future’ tree program.
Stuart Miller, Missouri Department of Conservation Policy Coordinator – How Water and Land Health Sustains One Health
Miller is a highly respected advocate for land and water health, emphasizing the connectivity between people and nature. He and his team will discuss a range of functional wetland projects they’ve designed and executed. They will also provide practical ideas that you can implement in your projects to conserve and protect wetland soils and waterways.
How Water and Land Health Sustains One Health Breakout Panel
Robbie Doerhoff
Forest Entomologist
Sherry Fischer
Stream & Watershed
Unit Supervisor
Emily Tracy-Smith
Stream Program Supervisor
Frank Nelson
Wetland Systems Manager