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The 2024 Western Landscape Symposium is proud to present the following speakers.
Keynote Speaker: Doug Tallamy
Doug Tallamy is the T. A. Baker Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, where he has authored 112 research publications and has taught insect related courses for 42 years. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities. His books include Bringing Nature Home, The Living Landscape, co-authored with Rick Darke, Nature’s Best Hope, a New York Times Best Seller, The Nature of Oaks, winner of the American Horticultural Society’s 2022 book award. In 2021 he cofounded Homegrown National Park with Michelle Alfandari (HomegrownNationalPark.org). His awards include recognition from The Garden Writer’s Association, Audubon, The National Wildlife Federation, Allegheny College, Ecoforesters, The Garden Club of America and The American Horticultural Association.
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Alex Crochet
Alex Crochet is the Horticulturist for the City of Colorado Springs and a Colorado Certified Nursery Professional and Certified Greenhouse Grower through the CNGA. He is born and raised in Colorado Springs, and his family has deep roots in Colorado Springs, Pueblo and the San Luis Valley. Horticulture has been a part of his life since he was a boy, and He is wildly enthralled with the natural world. From nurseries on the Front range, to regenerative ranches in Durango, to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Alex has gotten to experience all of the wonderful forms of horticulture. Now with the City of Colorado Springs, Alex manages wonderful community volunteer projects, manages 6 large scale greenhouses, and oversees the growing of thousands of native plants destined to be planted in medians, parks, and revegetation efforts in the City’s numerous open spaces.
Alex especially loves growing native riparian plants, cacti and the wonderful high desert shrubs that dominate Southern Colorado’s high elevation semi-arid steppe.
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Kevin Healey
A biology graduate from Colorado State University (Pueblo), I’ve contributed as a chemist in the historic mission to eliminate America’s last stockpile of mustard gas. Beyond the lab, I’m an avid forager and researcher, obsessively sharing the tales of foraged forbs and peculiar produce through my website, pullupyourplants.com.
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Lisa Mason
Lisa is the Horticulture Specialist for Colorado State University Extension in Arapahoe County. She has a Master’s Degree in Entomology from Colorado State University (CSU). Her research focused on using community science to monitor native bees in urban areas. She started a community science program called Native Bee Watch. She also has a Bachelor’s Degree from CSU double majoring in forestry and theatre. For a decade, she worked at the Colorado State Forest Service headquarters office in Fort Collins office managing the publications program and other statewide outreach and education programs. She enjoys teaching a wide variety of topics related to insects and plants.
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Ross Shrigley
Ross’s journey into horticulture and gardening blossomed during his time at Colorado State University. Graduating with a biology degree in 1994, he nurtured his skills and knowledge further by establishing his own gardening business, which he successfully operated for seven years. In 2005, Ross’s green thumb led him to the Denver Botanic Gardens, where he honed his expertise. Seeking new opportunities to contribute to the gardening community, he transitioned to Fort Collins Wholesale Nursery in 2012, assuming the role of Outside Sales Representative. With a wealth of experience under his belt, Ross now proudly serves as the Executive Director of Plant Select®, a nonprofit collaboration between Colorado State University, Denver Botanic Gardens, and esteemed horticulturists. In this role, he brings his passion, knowledge, and dedication to furthering sustainable gardening practices and promoting environmentally friendly plant selections.
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The Western Landscape Symposium Planning Committee would like to thank all of our speakers for sharing their expertise, enthusiasm and vision.
