May 3rd Meeting – 2018
Our speaker for this May meeting will be Kathy Dunster from Denman island.
Kathys is a Faculty Member at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, School of Horticulture
Kathy Dunster, PhD Instructor of Urban Ecosystems Kathy Dunster has an undergraduate degree in Recreation Education (BRE) from UBC with a focus on outdoor leisure spaces – from playgrounds to provincial parks and beyond. She obtained a MLArch degree from the University of Guelph where her thesis research examined the landscape ecology of regions and the reconnection of fragmented habitats across urban, per-urban, and rural landscapes. Her PhD in Biogeography & Plant Ecology is from the University of Toronto where her research and dissertation looked at the ecology and survival of Dwarf hackberry (Celtis tenuifolia Nutt.), a Canadian species at risk. Kathy is a registered landscape architect (MBCSLA) and a registered professional biologist (RPBio) in BC and a registered member of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects. Since 1987 her professional practice has focused on numerous projects that address the inventory, planning, conservation, and management of natural and cultural landscapes, ecosystem restoration, and integrated ecological landscape design at many different scales. She has extensive experience working with grassroots groups using community mapping as a technique for participatory action research in exploration of local community distinctiveness (what makes a place special) and local planning. She has a long history of involvement with community-based social and environmental justice organizations in various parts of Canada. Her current research interests are the integration of food, health, and ecosystem wellbeing in urban environments and the everyday landscape which includes: social landscape design, living roof designs for all (but especially invertebrate habitat, species at risk, and food production); learning landscapes; bioregional ethnobotany; community mapping and green mapping; and exploring the wicked problem of how post-disaster landscapes can be better designed to meet human needs when temporary settlement becomes permanent. Her other research interests include feminist cartography, islands, conceptual art in the landscape, and good practices. Her many other interests include letterpress printing, bicycling, graffiti & stencilling, appropriate technology and natural building construction, conservation of late
She has specialized in flax selections for small scale gardens but she’ll speak on other crops as well.
Her interest is “Unusual Native Plants”
Our meetings are held at Creekside commons, Lambeth Drive and start at 7.00.