Cabin Fever Gardening Symposium

Coming soon: Information on Cabin Fever 2025

Gardening Now and for the Future

2024 Cabin Fever Gardening Symposium

Thank you for attending the 2024 Cabin Fever Gardening Symposium. We really appreciate your enthusiasm while participating in our 14^th annual Cabin Fever.

Due to popular demand, we have reopened registration to Cabin Fever for a couple of weeks. So, if you or a friend missed out prior to the live event, here is your chance to get all the recordings including the keynote presentation by Jennifer Jewell. Act now as this offer will not last long.

Jennifer Jewell, Keynote Speaker

“What We Sow in Cultivating Our Places“

We are pleased to welcome Jennifer Jewell as the keynote speaker for Cabin Fever 2024. Jennifer is the host of the national award-winning weekly public radio program and podcast Cultivating Place: Conversations on Natural History and the Human Impulse to Garden.

She is the author of The Earth in Her Hands, 75 Extraordinary Women Working in the World of Plants (Timber Press in 2020), and Under Western Skies, Visionary Gardens from the Rockies to the Pacific Coast (Timber Press, May 2021). In 2023, her third book, What We Sow: On the Personal, Ecological, and Cultural Significance of Seeds, was published by Timber Press.

She lives and cultivates her place in interior Northern California with her partner, plantsman, John Whittlesey.

In her presentation, Jennifer Jewell will explore the philosophy of Cultivating Place, her national, award winning-public radio program and international podcast, based on the belief that gardens/gardeners are powerful agents and spaces for potentially positive change in our world, helping to address challenges as wide ranging as climate change, habitat loss, cultural polarization, and individual and communal health and being.

She walks audiences through how this power of gardens and gardeners is exemplified in not only her weekly program, but very specifically in her the subjects of her three books: the horticultural women in leadership roles in the award-wining The Earth in Her Hands (2020); the beautiful and innovative place-based gardens that celebrate western landscapes in Under Western Skies; Visionary Gardens from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast (2021) – with amazing photography by Caitlin Atkinson; and, finally in What We Sow, On the Personal, Ecological, and Cultural Significance of Seeds (2023).

All together, these stories, garden and gardener inspirations tending to a culture of care are blue-prints guiding us in ways we can all grow our world better: more beautiful and brave.

Selected Presentation Handouts

Presentations

Bringing Nature to Your Garden with Native Plants

This talk will cover the requirements, in general, of the natives in this area, and problems people occasionally have (plant placement, water regime,

Presented by Diane Stutzman

Always an outdoor explorer, and long a gardener, Diane had the privilege of exploring beautiful natural “gardens” as a botanist and plant community ecologist for the Forest Service, National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, and the Bureau of Land Management. Seeing what grows under different conditions in Washington, Idaho, South Dakota, and Virginia gave her the understanding and appreciation for native plants within their habitats. This understanding is the basis of her work with native plants and the basis for her landscape design work.

Diane and her late husband Walt started Desert Jewels Nursery in 2006, experimenting with propagation of regional and adapted native plants. The nursery started with just a few species and has expanded to include 200+ species of North American perennials, shrubs, grasses and ground covers.

Landscaping and Gardening in Wildfire Country

Wildfire is part of every summer here in Spokane and in many other regions in North America. The landscaping practices we choose make a huge

Presented by Guy Gifford

Guy started his wildland fire fighting career on a 20-person crew in 1984 for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In 1991, he started his forestry career in the Spokane area for the DNR and has worked in this area in numerous Forestry/Wildfire positions since then. Currently he is the Statewide Community Resilience manager. The Community Resilience program includes the following programs Firewise USA Sites, Community Wildfire Protection Plans, Wildfire Ready Neighbors and Community Wildfire Defense Grants.

He is a volunteer ski patroller with the Mount Spokane Ski Patrol since 1994. He is currently a board member of the Dishman Hills Conservancy since 2015 and chairs their Stewardship Committee.

Gardener/Garden Connection Balances Strength and Resilience

Gardens and gardeners age and change. The view changes over the years, whether you make that happen or nature takes over. No matter what,

Gardens and gardeners age and change. The view changes over the years, whether you make that happen or nature takes over. No matter what, there is a delicate balance that leads to inherent resiliency providing support both to the garden and the gardener.

The human-nature connection is one of the strongest forces of strength and inspiration. The resilience provided by our interactions with nature give us the strength we need as we deal with aging, change, loss, joy, achievement and challenges. Nature also is environmentally resilient. Being conscious of what we do for ourselves and for our gardens to facilitate a connection with the natural world is as urgent for today as for the future.

Presented by Cathi Lamoreux

Cathi is a retired Speech Language Pathologist after working for with adults for 30 years. She was an educator with Eldergrow for 4 years after retirement. She has been a Master Gardener since 2008. She is past president of the Master Gardener Foundation of Spokane County, is Vice President of the Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State, and is the current Master Gardener of the Year for the state of Washington. She earned a BA in Child Studies and a Masters in Speech Language Pathology. She also holds a certificate in Horticultural Therapy. She is a lifelong gardener, having grown up with gardening parents and grandparents.

Gardening Practices that Protect the Aquifer and River in a Changing Climate

The Spokane Valley Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer is the sole source of drinking water for over 600,000 residents. Individual stewardship by gardeners

The Spokane Valley Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer is the sole source of drinking water for over 600,000 residents. Individual stewardship by gardeners and engaged citizens can make a difference in maintaining water quality and conserving water resources to protect the aquifer and Spokane River in a changing climate. In this session, Tonilee Hanson will share solutions and free resources on how to prevent stormwater runoff contamination from fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides; water conservation practices such as leak detection, retrofitting, and smart controllers; and best planting practices with native and drought tolerant plants. The information presented can apply to water sources in all regions.

Presented by Tonilee Hanson

Tonilee Hanson is Program Manager for the Spokane Aquifer Joint Board (SAJB) representing 21 water providers over the Spokane Valley Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer who are united for safe drinking water. SAJB implements education awareness and outreach projects for aquifer protection and water conservation. In 2023, SAJB launched the OutdoorWateringNerds.org website which provides hundreds of outdoor watering solutions and conservation resources.

Building Understanding of Pesticides in IPM

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is managing plant damaging pests using cultural control methods, like manual pruning or water

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is managing plant damaging pests using cultural control methods, like manual pruning or water management but also includes the use of chemical pesticides. The use of chemical pesticides comes with specific concerns and considerations for appropriate and effective use. Understanding how pesticides contact and interact with their target pest are critical for pest management as well as preventing the off-target impact of pesticides to the surrounding environment. Competent and confident use of chemicals in IPM requires the ability to read, understand and follow a pesticide label. Reading the label enables Master Gardeners and those who rely on them for IPM options to protect themselves and the environment as well as determine what products work best for their specific conditions and how to integrate their use into the wider IPM “toolbox.” Our presentation will cover IPM and how chemical pesticides are best utilized for effective pest management. This presentation will cover how to develop a IPM plan for a client.

Presented by Rachel Bomberger

Rachel Bomberger has a Master’s of Science in Botany and Plant Pathology from Oregon State University and a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Rachel worked as a Plant Diagnostician for the Nevada Department of Agriculture and led the WSU Pullman Plant Pest Diagnostic Clinic for seven years. Rachel is currently a Pesticide Publication Specialist and Educator to ensure consistent pesticide recommendations. Additionally, as part of her pesticide safety education role, Rachel teaches IPM, safety, and label trainings for pesticide applicators and the public, including master gardeners.

Rachel Bomberger has a M.S. in Plant Pathology and her background is in plant diagnostics. Rachel is currently a Pesticide Publication Specialist at Washington State University to review pesticide recommendations. Additionally, Rachel teaches IPM, risk, and label trainings for pesticide applicators and the public, including master gardeners.

Tougher Than Turf

Establishing a healthy, low water use, sustainable native garden to replace your turf requires putting the right plant in the right place. Kathy will give

Presented by Kathy Hutton

Kathy Hutton was raised on a small ranch near Reardan, WA where her dad landscaped with native plants way before it was cool. Kathy is the manager of Plants of the Wild, a native plant nursery in Tekoa, WA. She graduated from Washington State University with a B.S. in Horticulture and has been at the nursery for 36 years. Plants of the Wild specializes in the production of native plants and seed for restoration projects and landscaping. Kathy has been involved in training homeowners about landscaping with native plants for many years. She enjoys camping, gardening and anything outdoors. She also loves spending time with her four granddaughters.

The Washington Bee Atlas

There are at least 600 species of bees in Washington state! Karen Wright will be talking about basic bee biology and the diversity of bees in the PNW.

There are at least 600 species of bees in Washington state! Karen Wright will be talking about basic bee biology and the diversity of bees in the PNW. Most native bees are very different to the European honey bee. She will then give an introduction to the new Washington Bee Atlas that was formed in 2023. The WaBA is a community science group that trains volunteers to collect, euthanize, pin and label bee specimens. They collect all the relevant data through iNaturalist, providing date, location, collector and host plant information. The specimens are identified by the Washington State Department of Agriculture pollinator taxonomist and then deposited at Washington State University’s insect collection. Data is then made public via SCAN and will be used to assess the conservation status of all 600 species of native bees known to occur in Washington. WaBA is modeled after the Oregon Bee Atlas and uses much of the infrastructure that has been successfully implemented by Oregon State Extension.

Presented by Karen Wright

Karen Wright joined the Washington State Department of Agriculture in 2023 to develop and manage the Washington Bee Atlas. She got her Master’s degree at Oregon State University in Entomology in 1999. She moved to New Mexico where she started her career working on native bees. Working for the Sevilleta Long Term Ecological Research Program based out of the University of New Mexico, she started a long-term monitoring program on native bees and wildflower phenology. She developed a collection of over 600 species of bees from central New Mexico that is housed at the University of New Mexico and the long-term study is still ongoing with over 20 years of data. She got her PhD from the University of New Mexico on the Evolution of Diet Breadth in Melissodes bees. She was curator of the insect collection at Texas A&M University for six years and now has happily relocated to Yakima, Washington with her dogs and husband.

Washington’s Integrated Approach to Preventing and Addressing Invasive Species

Invasive species, whether aquatic or terrestrial plants, animals, insects, or pathogens threaten Washington’s community health, recreational

Invasive species, whether aquatic or terrestrial plants, animals, insects, or pathogens threaten Washington’s community health, recreational opportunities, agriculture, and other economic and environmental factors. At a national level, the costs to prevent, monitor, and control invasive species, combined with the damage to crops, fisheries, forests, and other resources, cost the nation an estimated $1.2 trillion over the past 50 years. Closer to home, the introduction and spread of just 22 invasive species in Washington equates to more than $1 billion in damage and loss. Join Maria Marlin and Anne Schuster to learn more about highest priority invasive species and ways you can help protect our economy, environment, and well-being.

Presented by Maria Marlin/Anne Schuster

Maria Marlin is the Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist for the Washington Invasive Species Council. She began this position in 2022 after serving as a research and extension agent at Oregon State University. She was part of the nursery plant pathology program, where she organized trainings, developed fun and informative educational material, conducted outreach to underserved audiences, and performed research funded by grants she wrote. Before that, she attended the University of Idaho completing her master’s degree in natural resources. Originally from Pennsylvania, Maria double-majored in biology and environmental science at Bridgewater College in Virginia.

Anne Schuster is the Education Specialist for the WA State Noxious Weed Control Board. She received her Masters of Conservation Science from the University of Queensland, in Brisbane, Australia, and her Bachelors of Science & Art from the Evergreen State College, in Olympia, Washington. Before starting as the Education Specialist for the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board, she monitored and restored a variety of habitats with Wolf Haven International, Center for Natural Lands Management, Thurston County, and Washington State Department of Transportation. She will be speaking on plant identification.

Resilient Gardens for a Changing Climate

Our regional climate is changing as the global climate changes with extreme weather events reaching record levels last year. What does this

Our regional climate is changing as the global climate changes with extreme weather events reaching record levels last year. What does this mean for our food gardens and landscape plants? Learn how extreme weather affects plants, including trees, how to design resilient food and ornamental gardens and help plants survive extreme weather. Also find out the role gardeners can have in mitigating climate change, including designing landscapes to capture carbon.

Presented by Linda Gilkeson

Linda earned a Ph.D. in Entomology from McGill University in 1986, then moved to British Columbia to work for Applied Bio-Nomics Ltd., a company that produces biological controls. From 1991 to 2002 she worked for the provincial government, promoting programs to reduce and eliminate pesticide use. She was head of the provincial State of Environment Reporting Unit for the next six years, then the Executive Director of the Salt Spring Island Conservancy until the end of 2011. Linda now devotes her time to writing, teaching and consulting.

Linda’s comprehensive gardening book, Backyard Bounty: The Complete Guide to year-Round Organic Gardening in the Pacific Northwest, is a BC best seller. She has just published a newly revised and expanded 3rd edition of her comprehensive pest management guide, West Coast Gardening: Natural Insect, Weed & Disease Control. In the past, she has co-authored pest management training manuals for the provincial government and organic gardening books for Rodale Press and now focuses on publishing books for local gardeners. As a private consultant, Linda is a regular instructor in the Master Gardener programs in BC and is busy year around giving workshops on pest management and organic gardening.

Linda has served as President of the Entomological Society of Canada, the Professional Pest Management Association of BC, the Entomological Society of BC and the Salt Spring Island Garden Club. She was awarded a Queen’s Jubilee medal in 2003 and an outstanding achievement award from the Professional Pest Management Association of BC in 2005.

http://www.lindagilkeson.ca/bio.html

Traditional Teachings, Modern Approach

Farmer Michelle of x̌ast sq̓it / Good Rain Farm will share with us how we can all incorporate ancestral ecological knowledge into our

Presented by Michelle Week

Farmer Michelle Week is the owner of x̌ast sq̓it (hast squeit) which translates to Good Rain in the traditional language of the sngaytskstx (Sinixt). Michelle is of Sinixt—also known as Arrow Lakes—ancestry, a First Nations People of Okanagan country of British Columbia and north-central Washington. She is a first-generation female farmer stewarding the land, decolonizing diets, connecting with her ancestry’s cultural traditions and feeding people to help restore her community’s food sovereignty.

Michelle is an enthusiastic member of the next generation of farmers and is excited to create a cooperative business that helps build and support the cooperative and solidarity economies for a more just and healthy future for her community. Beyond operating Good Rain Farm, Michelle engages in all levels of education and advocacy. Sitting on several local, regional and national committees that focus on supporting, networking and resourcing the foundation of our Food System – Farmers and the lands they steward. Learn more at www.goodrainfarm.com.

Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/GoodRainFarm Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoodRainFarm TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xast.sqit YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsTwOg42lAOjLEskzzUyKKA

Donors

David & Jane Scott

Janice Baker

Kris Moberg-Hendron

Matt Velasco

Lynn & Tom Pachelli