Presentations, Teaching, and Trainings
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Winter Twig Identification Field Course for Ecological Restoration Professionals
Ecosystem Services and Field Identification of Select Southern Salish Lowland Native Plant Cuttings
Looking in the Woods for Leadership Lessons: What ecosystem services can we provide by leading authentically? A journey in the Homeward Bound leadership initiative
Badass Botanist + Relentless Researcher = Eternal Explorer
Additional Teachings and Trainings Facilitated
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Winter Twig Identification Field Course for Ecological Restoration Professionals
2023 · Sound Native Plants
Much of Pacific Northwest ecological restoration planting happens when plants are dormant and without telling foliage, but twigs are a niche study and many people working in restoration are not trained on how to identify commonly used plants without their leaves. Therefore this 3.5 hour workshop covers key winter identification characteristics of thirty prominent “restoration-superstars” of the southern Salish Lowland and northern Willamette Valley ecoregions. Ecological associations and silhouette identification techniques are emphasized in addition to fine twig details in order to broaden professional applications.
Ecosystem Services and Field Identification of Select Southern Salish Lowland Native Plant Cuttings
2023 · Harstine Island Garden Club
The native plants that can be grown from cuttings are dynamic tools that restore communities by putting plant-power in the hands of the public. Cuttings are sections of plant stem strategically harvested and installed to grow entire new plants. The native plants that can be grown from cuttings provide bountiful ecosystem services, namely erosion management, weed control, and habitat creation. Populus trichocarpa, Salix spp., Cornus sericea, Symphoricarpos albus, and Physocarpus capitatus have all shown great success when cuttings are propagated in the nursery setting and installed in the field as bioengineering materials for ecological restoration. Cuttings are an easy and inexpensive way to grow plants native to the southern Salish Lowland ecoregion. Winter field identification skills are needed to harvest cuttings. This two-part workshop opened with a hands-on field identification activity with cuttings of the five focus species, offering tangible pretext for the presentation.
Looking in the Woods for Leadership Lessons: What ecosystem services can we provide by leading authentically? A journey in the Homeward Bound leadership initiative
2022 · The WALT Institute
Basic principles of ecology are reflected in human societies. We are part of the same systems, not separate from them. Diversity enhances ecosystem resilience: the group is strengthened when we connect a diversity of people and collaborate. The Homeward Bound leadership initiative aims to increase global leadership diversity by growing the number and capabilities of femme leaders in STEMM. This is one journey of grounding in authentic leadership through a walk in the woods. We will connect Pacific Northwest native plants and the services and lessons they give, with the work of Homeward Bound and authentic leadership.
Badass Botanist + Relentless Researcher = Eternal Explorer
2021 · The Leading Ladies Club
When we empower young people, we empower the future.
Young femmes around the world have vital offerings to share, but are often discouraged from the exploration, travel, and research needed to develop and disperse ideas. Samantha shares stories of international studies and fundraising taken-on as a young person to inspire the next generation to break gender norms and be international movers-and-shakers.
Samantha has contributed to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women with The Working Group on Girls, led for climate action internationally and in the Pacific Northwest, studied on five continents, and is headed to Antarctica in 2023 with an international team of femme-in-STEMM to hit number six before reaching 30 years old.
Additional Teachings and Trainings Facilitated
Winter Twig Identification Field Course 2019, 2020 & 2023
Native Plant Salvage Foundation
in partnership with Thurston County Stream Team and Washington State Uni., Thurston Co. Extension
In-person field training for the public to identify 25 trees and shrubs native to the southern Salish Lowlands in their leafless-states.
Native Plant Excursions
Native Plant Salvage Foundation
In-person all day naturalist field trainings for the public identifying the variety of life in a range of Pacific Northwest ecosystems:
- Sub-alpine winter twigs, trees, mosses, lichen, and animal track/scat identification. Mt. Tahoma Trails Association, Mt. Rainier, WA.
- Coastal freshwater and sphagnum bog trees, shrubs, mosses, grass/sedge/rush, and perennial identification. North Bay Natural Area Preserve, Grays Harbor County, WA.
- Lowland coastal forest and shoreline trees, shrubs grass/sedge/rush, and perennial identification. Griffiths-Priday State Park, Copalis Beach, WA.
- Alpine and sub-alpine trees, shrubs, mosses, lichens, grass/sedge/rush, and perennial identification. Noble Knob, Mt. Rainier, WA.
Native Plant Excursions are a prized brain-baby collaboration between Samantha and a past board member both enthusiastic about duly expanding the non-profit’s education audience and ecosystems of study. These events are packed with adventure and delight. Because of our stellar partners, often NPSF are allowed into otherwise restricted ecosystems for our careful botany crawling. Highly recommend checking them out if you are near Olympia, WA www.nativeplantsalvage.org/excursions
Native Plant Propagation
Native Plant Salvage Foundation
in partnership with Thurston County Stream Team and Washington State University Thurston County Extension
In-person training for the public on native plant propagation from seeds, starts, cuttings, and salvaging at the Foundation’s nursery and holding beds.
Rain Garden Building
Native Plant Salvage Foundation
in partnership with Jefferson County Marine Resource Center, Northwest Straits Foundation, and Washington State University Jefferson County Extension
In-person field training on Rain Garden construction and proper planting technique in addition to “in-class” sessions on preplanning strategy, funding availability, and plant selection.
Native Plant Salvaging
Native Plant Salvage Foundation
in partnership with Thurston County Stream Team and Washington State University Thurston County Extension
In-person field training for the public and professionals on native plant identification, salvaging, and propagation strategies.
Plant Outings
Native Plant Salvage Foundation
in partnership with Thurston County Stream Team and Washington State University Thurston County Extension
In-person field training for the public and professionals to identify lowland riparian South Salish native plants in their blooming and fruiting states.
Riparian, Estuary, and Lowland Forest Stewardship and Restoration
In-person field training for the public and professionals on riparian, estuary, and lowland ecosystem restoration and maintenance, native plants, and habitat conservation. Taught a variety of strategies for installation and plant selection. See Past Projects section for some specific restoration sites and partners.
Biological and Ecological Concepts Teacher
Heartlife Imagineering Homeschool Co-op
Academic curriculum and budget planning for a class of students, ages 10-15. Lessons included introductory biology and urban ecology. Curriculum was place-based and art-centric, in order to encourage student development in creativity and leadership.