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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 | David Mellard Ph.D. |
| Address | 3409 Regalwoods Drive Doraville GA 30340 |
| Telephone | 404-498-0443 (day) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 | Sandra J. Sandefur |
| Address | 4885 Due West Road Kennesaw Georgia 30152 |
| Telephone | 770-422-1080 |
| 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 | Theresa Schrum |
| Address | 1365 Taramore Drive Suwanee GA 30024 |
| Telephone | 770-814-2071 |
| etlc@ecoterralandscape.com | |
| Topics | See this page on my web site: http://www.ecoterralandscape.com/cgi-bin/ViewTopic.pl?Topic=00-topicspeaking |
| Background | Bio: See this page on my web site: http://www.ecoterralandscape.com/cgi-bin/ViewTopic.pl?Topic=00-aboutetlc Home page: http://www.eco-tlc.com |
| Fee | $100 for locations within 35 miles of Suwanee |
| Name | James W. Smith (Jim) |
| Address | 1420 Eagle Ridge Road Dawsonville Georgia 30534 |
| Telephone | (706)265-1823 |
| 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 |
| 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. |