Speakers
Amy Frankmann is the Executive Director of the Michigan Nursery
and Landscape Association and is actively involved in public
policy, legislative issues, regulatory issues and serve as
industry link to state, regional, and national agencies and
organizations related to the Green Industries. She is the
current chairperson of the Michigan Invasive Plants Council and
a member of the Invasive Species Advisory Committee of the
National Invasive Species Council.
Doug Pearsall is the East Michigan Science and Planning Director
for The Nature
Conservancy in Michigan. In his 10 years with the
Conservancy, Doug has played a leading role in conservation
planning, helping to identify the most important places to
conserve and then determine the best approaches for conserving
them. He is also on the Conservancy’s Midwest Invasive Threat
Abatement team, which has developed strategies and guidance for
Conservancy chapters in multiple states. Doug has also been
active in the Michigan Invasive Plant Council.
Bob Schutzki is an Associate Professor in the Department of
Horticulture at Michigan State University. Teaching
responsibilities include undergraduate courses in landscape
design and native plants and a graduate seminar course in
environmental design. Outreach activities focus on providing
educational opportunities for the green industry and the
consumer in landscape design, plant selection and landscape
management. He is also an active member of the Michigan
Invasive Plant Council and a member of the Green Industry
Committee of the Midwest Invasive Plant Network.
Brian Majka began working with JFNew, an environmental and
natural resource consulting firm, in 2000 as a field technician
involved with various aspects of ecological restoration
including planting, seeding, controlled burning, and herbicide
treatments for invasive species control. His current
responsibilities include specific tasks such as restoration plan
development, crew supervision, and project management for a
variety of restoration projects with clients such as the State
of Michigan (MDNR), State of Indiana (INDOT and IDNR), plus a
wide array of local and private entities.
Laurel Christensen is a third-generation nursery owner and has
been working in the industry since 1974. Laurel has been
growing perennials at Northfield Farms since its inception in
1990. She loves flowering plants of all kinds, especially
perennials, and strives to produce the best quality plants
available in the trade by selecting varieties for their superior
characteristics and providing the right environment for each
variety. Her other interests include photography, architecture,
and history.
David MacKenzie is the owner of Hortech, a nursery located in
Spring Lake, MI. Hortech grows about 500 plants (native and
exotic) including ferns, vines, ground covers, and grasses. As
part of the process of growing plants, each year they evaluate
approximately 500 new plant introductions and assess them for,
among other things, invasive qualities. In addition, Dave has
written horticultural books, photographs plants (native and
exotic, in both landscape and natural settings), and lectures on
plants and their uses.
Chris Howe is assistant general manager at Hortech. Along with
overseeing the growing
operation, Chris is involved with applied research focused on
integrated pest management, biological
controls, and low maintenance/low pollution alternatives
to conventional landscaping (turf grass alternatives, vegetated
roofs, and living wall systems).
In addition, he writes articles and lectures on plants and their
uses.
Presented by:
Michigan State University Extension Oakland County
Southeast Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association
The Nature Conservancy
Michigan Invasive Plant Council
