Join us Thursday, September 22, 2022 for Fall Field Day! Our theme is ‘Roots to Rivers’. The focus is restoration and preservation of waterways including the Mississippi. We’ll also discuss the role played by native plants and their deep roots.
Our day will include two keynotes, each from a key perspective of water quality. Restoration, ecosystem support and conservation.
Chad Pregracke, Living Lands and Waters Founder and President. Chad is 2013 CNN ‘Hero of the Year’, recipient of the Jefferson Award for Public Service, and author of “From the Bottom Up: One Man’s Crusade to Clean America’s Rivers”.
Dr. Ellen Herbert, Ducks Unlimited Ecosystems Services Scientist, will present on how parts of wetland ecosystems work together.
KEYNOTE PRESENTERS
- Steve Buback, Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Entomologist: ‘Dragonflies and the Endangered Species of Wetlands and Ephemeral Pools’
- Carol Davit, Missouri Prairie Foundation Director and Jeff Esely, Missouri Department of Conservation, Private Lands District Supervisor: ‘Clean Water Starts Upstream: Helpful Programs for Landowners’
- Sherry Fischer ·Missouri Department of Conservation, Stream and Watershed Unit Supervisor, ‘Riparian Corridors – Pathways to Clean Water’
- L. Dean Alberty, Deep Roots Forest Biome: ‘Agroforestry and Multi-crop Orchards
- Alan Branhagan, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Director of Operations: ‘Landscaping with Native Wetland Plants’
- Stuart Miller, Missouri Department of Conservation Policy Coordinator and Amanda Horne, Forrest Keeling Nursery Farm Manager: ‘One Health: Healthy Land, Healthy Water, Healthy and Happy People’
… plus tours of our scion orchard, RPM production facility and silvopasture demonstration.
See below for complete details.
FALL FIELD DAY KEYNOTE PRESENTERS
Chad Pregracke, Living Lands and Waters Founder and President
This 2013 CNN Hero of the Year is living proof that one person can make a difference. Living Lands and Waters is America’s only “industrial strength” river clean-up organization. His keynote tells an inspiring story of his lifelong connection with the Mississippi River. Years rich with experiences that led to his unique vision to clean up the Mississippi.
Over the past two decades, LL&W removed over 11.5 million pounds of garbage out of our nation’s rivers. Chad also broadened his mission to include MillionTrees and an Adopt-A-River Mile Projects. There is also a new floating classroom aboard the barge that he and his crew live on most of the year. The classroom brings education about the value of our rivers and natural resources.
During his presentation, Chad will take the audience out on one of the world’s greatest rivers. You’ll learn of his journey filled with endless challenges and gripping adventures. His delivery is motivating, captive and spontaneous. Chad’s story will show you that one person can make a difference!
Dr. Ellen Herbert, Ducks Unlimited Ecosystems Services Scientist – Wetland Keynote
Conservation is key in ensuring our wetland systems remain intact and functional. Ducks Unlimited works to sustain healthy waterfowl populations.
Beyond waterfowl, DU efforts benefit our communities. For example, purer water, reduced erosion, and flood mitigation. All while providing beautiful areas for the public to enjoy. Through our science, public policy and conservation programs take shape. Conservation is our business. We protect wetlands for today as well as the generations of tomorrow.
AFTERNOON Breakouts
Steve Buback, Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Entomologist: ‘Dragonflies and the Endangered Species of Wetlands and Ephemeral Pools’
Aquatic insects and other invertebrates give us insight into water health. Scientists watch and learn from wildlife in a variety of water habitats. Every drop plays a role, from ephemeral pools and wetlands to broad rivers. From these observations we discover ways to mitigate flooding and improve water quality.
Carol Davit, Missouri Prairie Foundation Director and Jeff Esely, Missouri Department of Conservation, Private Lands District Supervisor: ‘Clean Water Starts Upstream: Helpful Programs for Landowners’ –
The deep roots of native plants help create and maintain clean water. From erosion control to stormwater infiltration, roots hold the key to water quality. We’ll cover types of government assistance available to landowners. These range from on-site consultation and management plans to project funding and guidance.
Sherry Fischer ·Missouri Department of Conservation, Stream and Watershed Unit Supervisor, ‘Riparian Corridors – Pathways to Clean Water’
So many factors contribute to the health of our steam systems. The most critical parts of a stream system lie outside of its banks. These include the riparian corridor, the floodplain, and the contributing watershed. These three set the stage for what happens in the stream channel. Better management of these helps create cleaner water, reduced erosion, and increased habitat. In this breakout we will explore how critical trees are for healthy streams and clean water.
Afternoon Breakouts:
L. Dean Alberty, Deep Roots Forest Biome: ‘Agroforestry and Multi-crop Orchards’
Optimal orchard health starts with cutting-edge technology. Special soil microbes and foliar microbes reduce tree stress, for example from flooding. They promote advanced nut crops without fertilizer by breaking down soil nutrients better. Learn ideas for better agroforestry systems, multi-crop management and increased farm profits.
Alan Branhagan, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Director of Operations: ‘Landscaping with Native Wetland Plants’
Native wetland plants are becoming key components to modern landscapes. They offer resiliency through erratic climate changes. Most handle both wet and dry conditions well. The program will review native wetland plants from shade trees to perennials. See the plants and learn about how to create a well-layered and functioning landscape. One that is environmentally sound and also beautiful.
Stuart Miller, Missouri Department of Conservation Policy Coordinator and Amanda Horne, Forrest Keeling Nursery Farm Manager: ‘One Health: Healthy Land, Healthy Water, Healthy and Happy People’
Healthy land and water rests on the foundation of good water and good soils. People and nature depend upon land and water health to thrive. This program presents foundational concepts of healthy soils and water, which promotes ecological services and values which ultimate sustain the wellbeing of people no matter where they live. The session will conclude with a case study of a Forrest Keeling management system which sustains nature and people and provides economic efficiencies in production management.
Extra presentation
Dan Burkhardt, Magnificent Missouri President. Lunch presentation on ‘Growing Up with the River’. Magnificent Missouri’s mission is to conserve and increase appreciation of the Katy Trail and the last 100 miles of the Missouri River Valley — as a premier regional asset — through education, events, and collaborative projects.
Networking hour – Cypress Grove with Urban Chestnut and Wood Hat featuring working water dog demonstration by Webfoot Kennel
