GNPS Speakers Bureau

Speakers Bureau

The following GNPS members are knowledgeable about gardening with native plants in the southeast and about GNPS activities. They lecture to garden clubs community groups and other interested organizations on the topics listed. Please contact speakers directly.

Name	Walter Bland
Address	82 Brighton Road NE Atlanta GA 30309
Telephone	404.626.8020
Email	jwbland@bellsouth.net
Topics	Native Trees -- a survey of common native trees of Georgia and the Southeast (talk and slide show) Plant Communities of the Ridge and Valley -- overview of native habitats and plant communities of the Ridge and Valley area of Georgia (talk and slide show) Native Wildflowers of the Piedmont -- overview of best wildflowers for gardeners in the Piedmont of Georgia and other southeastern states (talk and slide show).
Background	Walter has been an avid gardener for over 20 years. In the last ten years he has focused almost exclusively on native plants. Currently he manages a family farm in northwest Georgia and is working on collecting and propagating native grasses.
Fee	None. If location is more than 20 miles Speaker requests coverage of mileage expenses.

Name	Kathryn Gable
Address	1258 Sunderland Court Atlanta GA 30319
Telephone	770-451-3452
Email	grownatives@aol.com
Topics	Carnivorous plants Spring ephemerals Native plants that feed and shelter wildlife Gardening with native plants
Background	Past President of GNPS Georgia Wildlife Steward Georgia Master Gardener Kathryn has worked in the Georgia Perimeter College Botanical Garden since 1999. Experience giving talks on native plants throughout Georgia as well as South Carolina and North Carolina and interviews on several radio and television shows.
Fee	$50-250 depending on the size of the garden club plus the cost for handout materials and mileage.

Name	Ken Gohring
Address	2322 Habersham Drive Marietta GA 30064
Telephone	770-401-8298
Email	KGohring@aol.com
Topics	Native Azaleas Native Understory Plants Native Plant Rescue
Background	MA Washington University (math) Retired from Norfolk Southern Corp. (Operations Research) Member GNPS since 1999. Offices: Publicity Chair, Treasurer, Webmaster, Regional Plant Rescue Coordinator, Regional Plant Rescue Site Procurement Coordinator, Author of numerous articles for NativeSCAPE (GNPS Newsletter), served on numerous committees. Other: President Azalea Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society 2006-7, Regional Director District 10 of American Rhododendron Society 2006-7; Member Oconee Chapter of the Azalea Society of America; Member Georgia Botanical Society
Fee	None. Reimbursement of reproduction costs or gas expense if long distance travel involved would be helpful.

Name	Geri Laufer
Address	Atlanta GA 30324
Telephone	Cell 404-586-0686, Home 404-607-8060, Work 404-591-1550
Email	glaufer@atlantabotanicalgarden.org
Topics	Favorite Natives for Shade; Aquatic Plants
Background	M.S. Horticulture from Rutgers University Former Cobb County Extension Agent Adjunct Professor Gwinnett Tech Environmental Horticulture program; 20+ years home gardening with natives Photos and stories of Geri's home gardens in books national magazines newspapers. Featured on national and local garden tours Won "Best Garden in Georgia" in the large garden category (2+ acres) from Garden Clubs of Georgia Book author and compelling public speaker.
Fee	By arrangement.

Name	Karen Lindauer
Address	4782 Westhampton Drive Tucker, GA 30084
Telephone	770-934-4294
Email	Klindauer@bellsouth.net
Topics	Gardening with Native and Drought Tolerant Plants Native & Drought Tolerant Shrubs for Home Gardens Inviting Nature Home - Practical Information on soil, the importance of insects, water collection and conservation & selection of specific nature plants for Georgia gardens.
Background	GNPS Rescue Facilitator, volunteer at the Georgia Perimeter College Botanical Gardens; coordinator Fern Creek Habitat Restoration Project at UUCA, passionate gardener.
Fee	$35

Name	David Mellard Ph.D.
Address	3409 Regalwoods Drive Doraville GA 30340
Telephone	404-498-0443 (day)
Email	DMellard@cdc.gov
Topics	An overview of Southeastern Trillium including culture Creating Microclimates in Your Garden to Grow Native North American Orchids Water Quality and Fertilizing Potted Plants with a focus on tropical orchids
Background	Self-taught hobbyist with years of hard-won experience learning how to grow Trillium and native orchids. Describes himself as a mammalian toxicologist living vicariously in the plant kingdom.
Fee	Negotiable, evenings only.

Name	Shannon Pable
Address	3772 Lake Jackson Court Buford GA 30519
Telephone	770-271-4438
Email	scpable@charter.net
Website	www.shannonpable.com
Topics	Creating Curb Appeal Designing a Woodland Shade Garden Tuff Tufa--hands-on with hypertufa Barbarians in the Riparian--Gardening along buffers dealing with exotic invasives restoration Earth Friendly Landscaping Organic Alternatives Design with Conifers for our hot SE climate Color Theory Edible & Medicinal Plants in the Wilderness and more
Background	Life-long artist & gardener Certified arborist Interests in wild edible & medicinal plants Award winning garden designer specializing in native plants and environmentally friendly landscape designs (owner of Shannon's Garden Gallery). Published writer, photographer, illustrator and muralist. Contributes monthly articles for Georgia Gardening Magazine. Guest designer on HGTV's Landscape Solutions. 2005 President for the Gwinnett Master Gardeners Co-Chair for the 2005 Southeastern Flower Show Landscape Division.
Fee	Negotiable

Name	Eddie Rhoades
Address	667 Longwood Court Marietta GA 30008
Telephone	678-354-6394
Email	eddie@bittersweetgardens.com
Websites	www.bittersweetgardens.com www.myspace.com/eddierhoades
Topics	Personalize Your Garden with Yard Art: A humorous program on the Tacky side of gardening Edible Landscaping: Mixing vegetables with flowers fruits and berries and more Amending the Soil: Use of mulch, compost, green manure and commercial products The Garden Life: The A to Z of becoming a gardener
Background	Lifetime Master Gardener Garden writer Speaker at Master Gardener Regional Conference in Athens; Master Gardener Southeastern Regional Conference in Knoxville and Mobile for Garden.com (six times). More details at the Bittersweet Gardens website.
Fee	Depends on distance and attendance. My wife Linda handles all booking engagements.

Name	Jim Rodgers aka Snakeman
Address	776 McBride Road, Fayetteville, Ga 30215
Telephone	770 460 6284
Email	NearlyNativeNursery@hotmail.com
Topics	Native plants Oaks, flowering perennials, seed propagation, palms, interpretive walks, etc. Native snakes (slideshow, live reptiles, or both) Flintknapping (making tools as primitive man did).
Background	Jim has always been interested in the native flora and fauna. His formal native plant background was taught to him by George Sanko at Georgia Perimeter College. Jim was instrumental in the groundbreaking of the Botanical Gardens at GPC. He has been gardening with and studying native plants for over 20 years. He has been doing snake programs and putting on Flintknapping demonstrations for the last 5 or so years.
Fee	negotiable.

Name	Sandra J. Sandefur
Address	4885 Due West Road Kennesaw Georgia 30152
Telephone	770-422-1080
Email	N/A
Topics	Designing under the Native Influence Natives for Shade Natives for Sun Inquire for Other Topics
Background	Owner of Dogwood Knoll Design. Entering the twenty-second year of designing with perennials and native plants. Concentrating on appointments in North Fulton, Cobb, Paulding, Cherokee and Douglas Counties.
Fee	$75 plus travel expenses if over 25 miles from office in West Cobb County.

Name	James W. Smith (Jim)
Address	1420 Eagle Ridge Road Dawsonville Georgia 30534
Telephone	(706)265-1823
Email	jsmith4@alltel.net
Topics	Propagation Native Medicinal Plants Gardening with Natives Field Trips (plant identification) Trees
Background	Graduate Forester - B.S. and M.S. from Syracuse Univ. Member and Past President Georgia Native Plant Society Member Georgia Botanical Society Lifetime Georgia Master Gardener Member Mountain Conservation Trust Member and botanical advisor for Mountain Stewards Writer
Fee	Negotiable, depending on the group and the travel involved

Name	Marshall Wilson
Address	5342 Candleberry Drive Lilburn GA
Telephone	770-925-3444
Email	Ironring@bellsouth.net
Topics	Landscape Design Creation of Habitats Soil Preparation and Mulching Strategies Native Plant Selections
Background	Architect GNPS Program Coordinator GNPS Rescue Facilitator GNPS Regional Plant Rescue Site Procurement Coordinator
Fee	Depends on location time and venue. Minimum $25 donation to GNPS.

Last update: November 16, 2009