Thank you to those who attended the 2017 WRPA Conference this May.
If you missed us this year, stay tuned for more information about next year's event.
2017 Annual Pre-Conference Activities
Golf Tournament
WRPA's Annual Conference Golf Tournament
When:
Tuesday, May 2
12:00PM
Where:
Downriver Golf Course
3225 N Columbia Cir.
Spokane, WA 99205
Cost:
Members: $55
Non-Members: $65
Think you have what it takes to win? Join parks and recreation professionals from across the state in this fun and friendly golf tournament. The 2017 tournament will be run as a scramble. You will play the best shot from each location to try and get the lowest score. Please indicate team member preferences during registration. Registrations without requests will be placed on a team.
Exotic Pests and New is not always better
WRPA's Pre-Conference session
When:
Tuesday, May 2
3:00PM
Where:
Davenport Grand Hotel - Redwood Boardroom
333 W Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201
Cost: FREE!
This Presentation will focus on utilizing existing resources and expertise around your community to help you better manage your horticultural or maintenance program and empower yourself and employees with the wealth of knowledge and resources at your local county extension offices.
Tim Kohlhauff is the Urban Horticulture Coordinator for the Spokane County Extension, where he leads the Master Gardner program. Tim earned a B.A. from Whitman as well as two degrees in Horticulture from Spokane Community College where he is an adjunct instructor. He has worked with Spokane’s County Extension office since 2008, assisting professionals and homeowners in diagnosing plant problems. He trains new and veteran Master Gardeners in sustainable gardening practices. In addition to his work leading the Master Gardener program, Tim also had over a decade experience as a certified arborist with the Spokane Country Club, and teaches proper tree care.
Nature as Therapy
WRPA's Pre-Conference session
When:
Tuesday, May 2
4:00PM
Where:
Davenport Grand Hotel - Skybridge Boardroom
333 W Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201
Cost: FREE!
The use of nature-based therapy addresses stress related illnesses, physical and psychological conditions, and social functioning disorders. Stress has become a leading risk factor for developing heart disease, diabetes, obesity and depression, and can lead to increased risk of premature death in the developed world (WHO, 2006, 2008).
Public parks and open spaces allow us to passively and purposely gravitate to and interact with the outdoors. There is a wealth of evidence that every living creature and natural element reacts to and is impacted by nature’s influence and strength.
This presentation will explore the scientific research support for getting people to go outdoors and how to facilitate using the resources nature provides to improve our physical and psychological health.
Cathi Lamoreux has lived in Spokane since 1992. A native of the northwest, she lived in Montreal for 20 years and Maine for 3 years before returning to the west coast. Professionally she is a Speech Language Pathologist specializing in working with adults providing cognitive rehabilitation and swallowing therapy. She also worked at WSU Spokane in the Area Health Education Center as the Manager of Professional Education, developing and managing seminars and large conferences for health providers.
She holds a BA in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University, Montreal and a MA in Communication Disorders from the University of Maine. She has also completed a certificate in therapeutic horticulture through the Legacy Health System in Portland OR.
Perennial Magic
WRPA's Pre-Conference session
When:
Tuesday, May 2
3:00PM
Where:
Davenport Grand Hotel - Skybridge Boardroom
333 W Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201
Cost: FREE!
Labor costs are going through the roof and we are fortunate if the Budget is stable. Using Perennials in your landscapes and gardens effectively can help you save money, and look your best! In this seminar you will learn proven techniques to apply to your department or facility.
Mattie Whitney is a Gardener for City of Spokane Park Operations, a graduate of EWU with Bachelor of Science degree in Plant Biology and 15 years’ experience with Spokane’s Park department.
During her time with the Department she has collected and classified over 200 species of flora growing within the park system, and established an easy way to determine specific plant needs and quickly recognize native and invasive species. Mattie accomplished this while working in Manito’s Ferris Perennial garden where she gained her expertise in the advantages of growing and using perennials in a low maintenance landscape.
Currently her work has taken her to the Operations Department where she is directing the rejuvenation of Spokane’s landscapes, and establishing new, low maintenance plantings throughout the park system to ensure long term success.
When she isn’t gardening Mattie is either practicing aerial arts, or hiking and snowboarding with her family.
How to use Online Insights to Grow your Programs
WRPA's Pre-Conference session
When:
Tuesday, May 2
4:00PM
Where:
Davenport Grand Hotel - Redwood Boardroom
333 W Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201
Cost: FREE!
Learn how Skyhawks uses website user testing and Google Analytics to gain valuable insights about what motivates parents to register their children online for sports camps. This session will teach you how to discover this information for your organization, improve website conversion rates, and increase the number of registrations to your programs.
Ed Reese is the Director of Analytics & Optimization for JEB Commerce (formerly Sixth Man Marketing). He has been helping companies improve their online marketing efforts since 2008. His experience includes advising brands, agencies, universities, ecommerce platforms, programs and nonprofits. He's a Faculty Member at LocalU, an Adjunct Professor of Digital Marketing at Gonzaga University and speaks nationally on analytics and online marketing.
Student Pre-Conference
When:
Tuesday, May 2
Where:
Finch Arboretum
3404 W. Woodland Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99224
Alumni and Students!
Tuesday, May 2nd 4:00pm, meet us at the Red Wagon at Riverfront Park, wearing your school's gear for War at the Wagon!
We'll race around Riverfront Park challenging opposing schools in a battle at the Wagon. The college with the most points during the war will be presented with a prize at the President's Social! We hope to see you there! Check out the flyer for details.
Planned Activities:
Ice Breakers - 11 am – 11:20am
Conference Prep - 11:20-11:50 am
Outside Municipal Rec - 11:50am – 12:20pm
Break - 12:20pm-12:30pm
Volunteer Training - 12:30- 1pm
Leadership Development - 1pm-2pm
Mock Interviews and Resumes - 2 pm
War at the Wagon - 4:00pm
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