The “Green Matter” of Climate Change at Brookside

Since their inception in 2006, the Green Matters Symposia held by Brookside Gardens have earned a reputation for targeting the most important topics (like water-wise gardening and growing food) and choosing the very best speakers for each of them.  And this year’s symposium – this Friday! – looks to be another great event.

This year’s topic is “Gardening in a Shifting Climate” and the speakers are:

Mike Raupp on “What a Warming World means for Pest Outbreaks.”  Who better than the famous and famously entertaining U.Md. entomologist?

Jody Fetzer on “How Horticulture can Adapt, Adjust and Accommodate Climate Change.”  Jody has the degree (masters in plant health) and the experience (working in public gardens from Minnesota to New York to Hillwood in DC) to know whereof she speaks.

Mike Tidwell on “A Maryland Gardener’s Response to Climate Change: More Clean Energy.”  Takoma Parkian Mike founded and directs the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in our region.  He’s also a national spokesman, author and filmmaker on the subject,  and may just be the top authority in the  DC area on climate change.  Plus, I can vouch for his being a terrific speaker.

Gary Paul Nabhan on “Tapping Into the Wisdom of Traditional Farmers: Sustainably Growing Food in the Face of Climate Uncertainty.”  A professor (of sustainable food systems), permaculture designer and orchard-keeper, Gary is widely acknowledged as a pioneer in the local-food movement and grassroots seed conservation.  For his important work he won a MacArthur Genius Award.

Posted by Susan Harris.