Speakers Bureau
LIST OF SPEAKERS
Environment Sandy Springs is happy to be a resource for speakers who are knowledgeable about the vital role the environment plays in helping urban cities thrive.
The following subject matter experts are available to present to garden clubs, community groups and other interested organizations on the topics listed below. If you would like for someone to come and speak to your group, please contact these speakers directly:
-
Name: Dr. Chris Mowry
Areas of expertise: Biology, Wildlife, Biodiversity, Climate Change/Crisis, Habitat Loss
Phone: (770) 316-4795
Email: cmowry@berry.edu
Topics:
- Biodiversity
- The Atlanta Coyote Project
- Climate EmergencyBackground:
Biologist, Professor of Biology at Berry College, The Atlanta Coyote Project
Fee: Donation to the Atlanta Coyote Project requested
-
Name: Dr. Allen Roberts
Phone: 470-578-7375
Email: arobe139@kennesaw.edu
Topics:
• Geographic/GIS research for community development, social justice, and environmental sustainability
• What engineering, hydrology and geospatial information can tell us about the environment
Background:
Dr. Allen Roberts is the Program Director for the B.S. Degree in Geospatial Sciences and Associate Professor of Geospatial Sciences and Geography at Kennesaw State University. He has over 20 years of research and applied experience within the engineering; hydrological; geospatial; and environmental fields that span the academic, nonprofit, federal government, and private sectors.
Since 2005, he has instructed numerous courses in geospatial sciences, meteorology, environmental science, and renewable energy. From 2014 to 2018, his research activities involved the interlinkage of engineering with hydrology and how relevant landscape-based geospatial information can be utilized to unearth new correlations between these disciplines.
In October 2018, Dr. Roberts was chosen as an NSF Workshop Fellow for the 1st National Community Geography Workshop in Atlanta, Georgia in January 2019. The workshop focused on bringing together academic researchers and community leaders interested in using geographic/GIS research for community development, social justice, and environmental sustainability within an engineered world.
Dr. Roberts completed his Ph.D. in Geographical Sciences at the University of Maryland. He also completed his M.S. in Geography (Hydroclimate Focus) from the University of Delaware in 2000 and his B.S. in Earth and Environmental Sciences from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in 1997.
-
Name: Zach Wood
Georgia Grasslands Coordinator - Southern Grasslands Institute, State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia
Phone: 478-494-2957
Email: zachary.wood@uga.edu
Topics:
• Georgia Grasslands Restoration
• Biodiversity
• Wildlife Corridors
Background:
Zach is the first Georgia Grasslands Coordinator for the Southeastern Grasslands Institute and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. He joined SGI and the State Botanical Garden in 2021. Zach’s expertise is in prescribed fire as a land management tool for endangered species, especially reptiles and amphibians, though he does love all nongame animals as well. His educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources Management from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.
Fee: Donation to the Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI) | State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia is requested
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jim Ozier
Wildlife Biologist, Environmental Affairs – Georgia Power
Phone: 470-426-5321
Email: JCOZIER@southernco.com
Topics:
• Georgia Grasslands Restoration
• Biodiversity
• Wildlife Corridors
• Right of Ways under utility line easements
Background:
Jim Ozier worked as a wildlife biologist for the State of Georgia for 28 years and 4 months. He is currently a wildlife biologist for Georgia Power and has been with them for 7 years and 10 months as of 2023. Jim got a BS in biology from West Georgia College and a Masters in biology from UGA.
Fee: Negotiable
-
Name: Laura C. Martin
Phone: 404-630-6227
Email: lwcmartin@bellsouth.net
Topics:
• Get an up close and personal preview of Laura’s upcoming art exhibit: Imperiled Beauty at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. On August 14, 2023, the exhibit will open in the gallery at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Comprised of 18 botanical paintings, this exhibit celebrates the eighteen Georgia native plants that are listed on the federal endangered species list. With accompanying information about each plant, this exhibit promises to both delight and educate people about Georgia's beautiful but vulnerable plant species. The exhibit runs through December 3.
• Growing native plants to provide food, and shelter for birds, butterflies and native insects
• New approaches to gardening that just may help save the planet
Background:
Laura Martin is author of 26 books on gardening, nature and crafts. She has a BS in botany from the University of Georgia and a Certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration from the New York Botanical Gardens. For more information about Laura or about the exhibit, please visit www.naturebasedblog.com
Fee: Negotiable
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Name: Trecia Neal
Phone: 404-857-4132
Email: tneal@greengardensedu.com
Topics:
• Gardening for Pollinators, Birds and other wildlife
• Monarch Butterfly Ecology and Biology
• Composting/Vermicomposting
Background:
Upon retirement, Trecia formed Green Gardens Education and Designs LLC and is now using her expertise and talents to design wildlife gardens for homeowners to help transform their barren lawns to living landscapes full of pollinators, birds and wildlife. Trecia is also a member of the Ecological Landscape Alliance.
Fee: Negotiable
-
Name: Erdeen Britt
Owner-Operator, Better Options FarmPhone: 770-376-0280
Email: betteroptionsfarm@gmail.com
Topics:
• Poultry Keeping
• Garden Development
• Composting
• Growing Herbs and Vegetables
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Name: Yvette McLean
Organic Farmer & Herbalist, Yves GardenPhone: 678-641-1048
Email: ymclean@yvesgarden.com
Website: www.yvesgarden.com
Topics:
• Organic Gardening Techniques
• Setting up your own food garden
• Growing Herbs and Vegetables
**NOTE: Erdeen and Yvette present as a team. Contact either person to schedule.
Fee: Negotiable
-
Name: Julia Mahood
UGA Master Crafts BeekeeperPhone: 678-448-2576
Email: juliamahood@gmail.com
Topics:
Julia is available to speak about pollinators and the critical role that they play in our food systems, and how we as Sandy Springs citizens can create an environment in which pollinators thrive.
Background:
Julia Mahood is a Georgia Master Craftsman Beekeeper who has been keeping bees since 2004. In addition to being the Vice President of ESS, Julia is a board member of the Bee Informed Partnership, the Pollinator Stewardship Council, and the Georgia Beekeepers Association. Julia was awarded the Georgia Beekeeper of the year in 2018. A graphic artist, she designed the Georgia “Save the honey bee” license plate. She is passionate about education and teaches beekeeping in Georgia prisons.
Fee: Negotiable.
-
Name: Sandy Murray
Co-Founder of the Brookhaven Tree Conservancy
Phone: 404-273-0906
Email: sandy_murray@yahoo.com
Topics:
• Developing a sound tree ordinance
• How to save the trees in your urban city
• How to make things happen in municipalities
Background:
Sandy Murray has experience as a mayoral candidate, as the president of the Ashford Alliance Council, Rotary Club of Midtown Atlanta and Women Business Owners of Atlanta, she also started a business called Computer Essentials to help train people and develop software in the relative infancy of PCs. And she started Abrakadoodle, which teaches art to preschool and elementary-aged children, in 2003. She has lived in the Brookhaven area since 2003 and ran for state representative in District 80 twice.
Board Member, Ashford Alliance Community Association, 2010-present
Community Representative, Oglethorpe Estates Civic Association, 2005-present
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Name: Judy Yi
Director of Marketing & Outreach, Trees AtlantaPhone: 404-609-3373
Email: judy@treesatlanta.org
Topics:
• One Million Trees Initiative
Background:
Fee: Negotiable
-
Name: Kathryn Kolb
Executive Director of EcoAddendum, Master Naturalist, Fine Art PhotographerPhone: 404-862-0118
Email: KathrynKolb@bellsouth.net
Topics:
Kathryn is available to speak about why forests and wild lands are so important to urban cities. And how we as Sandy Springs citizens can restore and manage these rich forests so that our community can continue to thrive.
Background:
Master Naturalist Kathryn Kolb shares over 40 years of field experience in forests and wild lands of the Southeast. Kathryn currently designs and leads educational walks in natural areas in metro Atlanta, Georgia and the Southeast. She takes botanical inventories and designs forest restoration plans for public parks and greenspaces and private properties, and designs and leads EcoAddendum’s Stewardship classes and volunteer programs for municipalities and neighborhood groups.
Kathryn has contributed to greater Atlanta’s environmental community for over 30 years, and has collaborated on projects with many regional environmental groups including Atlanta’s Tree Conservation Commission, The Wilderness Society, Georgia Forestwatch, Georgia Conservancy, Cascade Springs Nature Conservancy, Brookhaven Tree Conservancy, Georgia Native Plant Society, Botanical Society of Georgia, State Botanical Garden of Georgia, South River Watershed Alliance, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, Elachee Nature Center, Dunwoody Nature Center, Blue Heron Nature Center, City of Atlanta Neighborhood Associations, Friends of Parks groups, Park Pride, City of Atlanta, City of Brookhaven, and many other groups throughout the metro Atlanta region.
Previously, Kathryn was founder and director of Atlanta’s Keeping It Wild program, under the umbrella of the Wilderness Society, leading a diverse, community based, nature education and outings program from 2005-2009. She also served as consultant to DeKalb County Commissioners on a new tree ordinance 1999/2000, and continues to assist municipalities and community groups on writing tree ordinances, and on raising awareness about the value of regional forests and natural areas, and on ways to better incorporate trees and greenspaces into urban and suburban environments. Kathryn frequently gives talks and presentations to neighborhood groups, Garden Clubs, Rotary Clubs, and other regional community groups.
Kathryn is also known for her distinctive, award-winning work as a fine art photographer of natural forms and landscapes, and her photographs are found in prominent regional collections and public venues throughout the US. To view her fine art photography visit KathrynKolb.com.
Fee: Negotiable