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Session 1 | Session 2 | Session 3
Myth of MultitaskingLearning objectives:
Description: Do you feel compelled to multitask to get it all done and fit it all it? Are you constantly online, or checking email while simultaneously in a meeting, on the phone, at a rec site, working on projects, or conducting other business? As Dr. Phil would ask – How’s that working for you? If you’d like to explore a way to work that’s more effective and less stressful, we’ve got you covered. In “The Myth of Multitasking” you’ll experience the slothfulness of multi-tasking and then uncover the power of focus & learn how to apply it in chaotic environments by focusing on one thing at a time. Come on; you know you want to work smarter, not harder! Presenter: Debbie Rosemont, Productivity Consultant & Founder, Simply Placed Debbie Rosemont is a Productivity Consultant, Coach, and Trainer who founded Simply Placed over 20 years ago to help busy professionals reduce overwhelm and work more effectively. She teaches practical strategies for time and task management, email organization, and workflow systems that lead to better results with less stress. Through group training, individual coaching, and her virtual program It’s About Time, Debbie helps clients work smarter, not harder. She is the author of Six-Word Lessons to Be More Productive, co-author of 1 Habit for a Thriving Home Office, and a frequent media guest. Debbie draws on her background in HR, psychology, and life experience to promote work-life harmony and intentional use of time, energy, and attention. Learn more at www.itssimplyplaced.com. Safe Havens: Reinventing Park Safety, Security and Risk ManagementLearning objectives:
Presenter: Pete Mayer, City of Tukwila Deputy City Administrator, Interim Public Works Director Pete Mayer is an accomplished public administration executive with over two decades of experience in city management, parks and recreation, and public works operations. Currently serving as Deputy City Administrator for the City of Tukwila, he has been instrumental in stabilizing department operations and driving cross-departmental alignment in areas such as public works, emergency management, and capital improvement planning. His proven leadership and strategic planning skills have been honed through pivotal roles—including serving as Director of Parks and Recreation for multiple cities, COO of the Snohomish Health District, and Deputy Executive Director of Parks Tacoma. In addition to his extensive local government experience, Peter also works as an independent consultant, advising on business and operational strategies to enhance community services. His commitment to innovative solutions and organizational effectiveness continues to inspire teams and improve public sector performance. Grounded in Resilience: Redmond’s Approach to Climate-Smart Vegetation ManagementLearning objectives:
Description: Learn how the City of Redmond is transforming parks maintenance through climate-resilient and sustainable vegetation management. This session will walk attendees through the creation and implementation of Redmond’s “Climate Resiliency and Sustainability in Vegetation Management Plan,” including key strategies for preserving natural areas, converting areas to naturalized or wildflower meadows, expanding urban forest canopy and adding pollinator gardens, electrifying maintenance equipment, and using data to drive decision-making. Speakers will share insights on staff engagement, pilot sites, and community education efforts, along with lessons learned from putting climate action into daily operations. Whether you’re just getting started or already leading sustainability initiatives, you’ll come away with actionable ideas for your own agency. Presenter: Loreen Hamilton, Parks and Recreation Director, City of Redmond Over the past 18 years, Loreen has led communities and organizations to create community and connection. The last 5 years in Redmond have given her the opportunity to lead a team of dedicated professionals in managing the parks, trails, and open spaces throughout the city. Loreen has a BA in Political Science from Seattle Pacific University and a Master’s in Social Work from Boston University. She is also a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional. She enjoys going on biking and camping adventures with her husband and two kids throughout the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Presenter: Dave Tuchek, Parks and Recreation Deputy Director, City of Redmond Dave has over 35 years of experience overseeing the maintenance and operations of the City’s 47 parks, urban forest/open space (1,351 acres), and 39 miles of trails. Dave also oversees the maintenance and operations of the City’s 27 major buildings and facilities. Current environmental priorities include natural resource protection, tree canopy expansion, rewilding, and sustainable maintenance practices. Dave graduated from Washington State University with a B.S. Degree in Horticulture and is an NRPA Certified Parks and Recreation Executive (CPRE). Presenter: Darcey Rayner Shepard, Park Operations Manager, City of Redmond Darcey has been with the city for 15 years in both recreation and operations. Darcey is passionate about creating and maintaining unique and sustainable spaces for our diverse community. She directly manages the staff implementing the CRSVM Plan, drives planning for future resilient practices and expansion, and works to ensure the long-term success of our climate action efforts. Darcey is also a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP). Presenter: Meg Angevine, Maintenance and Operations Supervisor, City of Redmond Meg has overseen the Horticulture and Urban Forestry programs for the past five years. During her 25-year career, she earned her AAS degrees in Landscape Management and Botanical Studies and obtained her ISA Arborist Certification. Meg has been involved with the development of the CRSVM Plan since it was initiated and is honored to represent the dedicated and passionate staff members who are implementing the plan in the field. Neuroinclusive Teams: Building a More Supportive WorkplaceLearning objectives:
Description: Explore how neurodiversity shows up in the workplace, how to recognize and advocate for their own needs, and how to build stronger teams by understanding and supporting the differences of others. Through a mix of discussion, real-world examples, and self-reflection, participants will leave with tools to foster more inclusive, aware, and productive team dynamics—without needing to be a supervisor or have formal authority. Presenter: Joanna Martin, Recreation & Event Center Manager, City of Battle Ground Drawing on 25 years in municipal government, Joanna is a seasoned professional specializing in recreation, special events, facility rentals, parks and urban forestry management. Her education provides a multidisciplinary approach to effective public service combining a Master of Public Administration with Bachelor’s degrees in Recreation Management, Speech Communication and Psychology. Joanna’s management style was profoundly shaped as a foster parent for 10 years where she expanded her knowledge of crisis management, trauma-informed care, trust-building, cultural competence and neurodiversity. A committed leader in her field, Joanna actively contributes through board and committee roles with the Washington Recreation and Parks Association, Pacific Northwest Resource Management School and Washington Community Forestry Council. Presenter: Randi Mendoza, Park Ranger Supervisor, Oregon State Parks Randi has worked for Oregon State Park since 2000 where they began their career as a seasonal at Nehalem Bay State Park. They have been promoted through the ranger ranks working in several locations across the state of Oregon. Currently, Randi serves as a Park Ranger Supervisor in the Columbia River Gorge Management Unit. When not at work, Randi enjoys hiking, camping, carpentry, researching old things, photography, crocheting, and writing ghost stories based on areas around some of the places they were stationed.
Organize to OptimizeLearning objectives:
Description: Did you know that the average person wastes an hour a day looking for things or information they have but cannot find (that equals six weeks a year!)? They also have an average of 37 hours of unfinished work on the desk or work area in front of them at any time. Do you have better things to do with six weeks a year? Wish you could find ways to focus on your top priorities and get more done with less stress? If you are finding it hard to focus on priority work because you spend your day under a mountain of email or paper, juggling multiple tasks at one time, feeling a bit out of control or worried that things will fall through the cracks, then join Professional Organizer and Productivity Consultant, Debbie Rosemont, from Simply Placed, as she presents Organize to Optimize. Presenter: Debbie Rosemont, Productivity Consultant & Founder, Simply Placed Debbie Rosemont is a Productivity Consultant, Coach, and Trainer who founded Simply Placed over 20 years ago to help busy professionals reduce overwhelm and work more effectively. She teaches practical strategies for time and task management, email organization, and workflow systems that lead to better results with less stress. Through group training, individual coaching, and her virtual program It’s About Time, Debbie helps clients work smarter, not harder. She is the author of Six-Word Lessons to Be More Productive, co-author of 1 Habit for a Thriving Home Office, and a frequent media guest. Debbie draws on her background in HR, psychology, and life experience to promote work-life harmony and intentional use of time, energy, and attention. Learn more at www.itssimplyplaced.com. Volunteer Risk ManagementLearning objectives:
Presenter: Drew Brien, Senior Risk Management Representative, WCIA, Carlene Brown, Senior Risk Management Representative, WCIA, Farah Derosier, Senior Risk Management Representative, WCIA Playground Inspection and Maintenance: Preserving the Play Environment, Promoting the Value of Play, and Protecting Children
Learning objectives:
Description: For a playground to thrive, good maintenance is essential. Learn how to maximize your agency or school’s playground maintenance efforts by properly identifying and correcting potentially hazardous conditions on the playground. This session will help you define your maintenance plan as a key to protecting your investment, managing risk, improving children’s play experiences, promoting community values, and controlling expenses. This session will allow you to identify procedures for correcting hazardous conditions and to develop inspection protocols and procedures for a sustainable playground maintenance program. Presenter: Great Western Recreation Resource Management Plans: Strategic Planning for Maintenance Tasks and BudgetLearning objectives:
Description: Resource Management Plans (RMPs) are powerful tools for parks, recreation, urban forestry, and public works agencies to align maintenance tasks with staffing, costs, and service expectations. Whether you're maintaining playgrounds, trails, facilities, or fleets, RMPs help you plan proactively and advocate effectively for resources. This session will walk through what goes into an RMP, how to build one that works for your agency, and real-world examples of how they're used to justify budgets, guide daily work, and evaluate new asset impacts. Presenters: Regents from Pacific Northwest Resource Management School
Double-Edged Sword of Micromanagement: Understanding Its Benefits and PitfallsLearning objectives:
Description: In any workplace, leaders must strike a balance between insisting on standards and empowering employees with autonomy. This session will explore how insistence on processes and outcomes can improve efficiency and quality but also risks fostering a culture of micromanagement. When leaders are overly insistent, it can lead to stifled creativity, diminished employee trust, and a sense that team members' expertise is undervalued. This session will examine the fine line between maintaining necessary control and overstepping into micromanagement. Participants will gain insights into how insistence impacts team dynamics, explore strategies for fostering accountability without creating an overbearing environment, and learn when to step back and allow for employee autonomy. Through case studies and interactive discussions, attendees will leave with practical tools to balance oversight with trust, fostering a collaborative and empowered workplace that drives both innovation and performance. Presenter: Nicole Jones-Vogel, Principal, Rise Up Coaching Solutions, LLC As a Birkman Method certified and ICF Accredited coach, Nicole specializes in addressing workplace issues, offering personalized guidance and support to individuals at all stages of their careers. Nicole is ACC accredited coach with the International Coaching Federation, AICP certified planner, holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from University of Alaska Southeast and owns Rise Up Coaching Solutions based in Gig Harbor, WA. Designed to Endure: Strategies to Navigate Budget CutsLearning objectives:
Description: Budget cuts are a recurring challenge in parks and recreation—but with foresight and strategy, their impact can be minimized. This session explores how to prepare your operations, data, and team before cuts are on the table, how to make difficult decisions when reductions are required, and how to support recovery and rebuild trust afterward. With real-world examples from both parks maintenance and recreation services, attendees will gain practical tools to lead with clarity and purpose through each stage of the process. Presenter: Angie Fesser, Director, City of Edmonds Parks, Recreation & Human Services Angie has nearly two decades of experience working in public recreation, parks and facilities. She is a licensed landscape architect with a degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies from Washington State and Master's in Public Administration. Her passion is planning, building and maintaining parks and public facilities that are equitability accessible for entire communities to provide health, wellness and enjoyment for people of all ages and abilities as well as recognizing and supporting natural environments that provide healthy urban ecosystems. Bugs, Blights, and Beyond: Managing Tree and Shrub HealthLearning objectives:
Description: Insects and diseases are a constant threat to the health of our trees and shrubs—but early detection and informed action can make all the difference. This session will highlight the most common pests and diseases affecting trees and shrubs in the Pacific Northwest, including signs to watch for, seasonal patterns, and effective treatment options. Learn how to recognize problems early, respond appropriately, and reduce long-term damage through proactive care. Presenter: Alan Haywood, Owner, Alan Haywood Arborist & Horticulturist LLC Alan Haywood is a Certified Arborist and Horticulturist with over 30 years of experience in municipal parks maintenance, urban forestry, and landscape management. He spent three decades with the City of Issaquah Parks and Recreation Department, where he led maintenance operations, managed budgets, and coordinated the city’s Tree City USA program. Alan holds a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from Washington State University and multiple certifications, including Tree Risk Assessment and Integrated Pest Management. He is an active member of several professional associations and has been recognized for his service and leadership in the field. Now, through Haywood Arborist Services, he shares his expertise with communities throughout King and Pierce counties. Engaging Volunteers in Parks Maintenance - Exception ROI for All Involved!Learning objectives:
Description: We all face the same challenge, too many resources to maintain and not enough people to keep up with the growing list of needs. But, with thoughtful and diverse volunteer options, we can get closer to meeting our maintenance goals while empowering our staff and building a knowledgeable and supportive community in the process. This session will inspire attendees to develop and maintain their own robust volunteer programs that help their employees keep up with their ever-increasing workload and connect community members with meaningful, rewarding, and fun opportunities to serve. The session will specifically cover five diverse parks maintenance volunteer programs operating in City of Kirkland parks: 1) a community built and maintained BMX course; 2) the Parks Beautification Program; 3) Scout merit projects; 4) the Green Kirkland Partnership; and 5) our Adopt-A-Park program. Using these five programs, Kirkland can say YES to nearly every request from the community to be involved in caring for its beloved parks while also helping staff feel more supported and better resourced and leaving our public spaces in better condition that we could without this incredible community support. Presenter: Jodie Galvan, Parks Operations Supervisor, City of Kirkland Jodie Galvan is a Parks Operations Supervisor at the City of Kirkland. She holds CPRE, LEED AP and CERP credentials. She has Bachelor and Master of Science degrees and worked in natural resources management for more than twenty years. In her current role, she oversees the Green Kirkland Partnership a highly impactful, long-term volunteer program that engages hundreds of volunteers in donating thousands of hours to the care of hundreds of acres of parkland open space and natural areas each year.
Talk Saves Lives™: Introduction to Suicide PreventionLearning objectives:
Description: Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States—but it is preventable. Talk Saves Lives™ is the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s signature education program, offering a clear and hopeful introduction to suicide prevention. This evidence-informed presentation covers the scope of the problem, what research tells us about risk and protective factors, and how to recognize warning signs in ourselves and others. Updated in 2024 to be more inclusive and actionable, the session also equips participants with practical tools for starting conversations, offering support, and connecting people to help. Presenter: Nicole Jones-Vogel, Principal, Rise Up Coaching Solutions, LLC As a Birkman Method certified and ICF Accredited coach, Nicole specializes in addressing workplace issues, offering personalized guidance and support to individuals at all stages of their careers. Nicole is ACC accredited coach with the International Coaching Federation, AICP certified planner, holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from University of Alaska Southeast and owns Rise Up Coaching Solutions based in Gig Harbor, WA. From Vision to Reality: Lifecycle of a Park Capital ProjectLearning Objectives:
Description: Ever wonder why it takes so long—and costs so much—to build a park? This session walks through the full lifecycle of a capital project, using the Civic Park Project as a real-world example to explore each phase from concept to completion. Participants will gain a better understanding of how projects are selected and funded, what’s involved in design and bidding, and what it takes to navigate construction, operations, and long-term maintenance. We'll also examine the critical roles of staffing, budget oversight, project management, public relations, and political will in bringing a park to life. This session is ideal for anyone who wants to understand what happens behind the scenes of park development. Presenter: Angie Fesser, Director, City of Edmonds Parks, Recreation & Human Services Angie has nearly two decades of experience working in public recreation, parks and facilities. She is a licensed landscape architect with a degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies from Washington State and Master's in Public Administration. Her passion is planning, building and maintaining parks and public facilities that are equitability accessible for entire communities to provide health, wellness and enjoyment for people of all ages and abilities as well as recognizing and supporting natural environments that provide healthy urban ecosystems. After the Storm: Tree Risk Lessons from the Bomb CycloneLearning Objectives:
Description: When the bomb cyclone storm hit, it left a path of destruction and a wake-up call for parks professionals managing urban forests. This session explores the real-world impacts of the storm, including tree failures, public safety concerns, and operational challenges. Learn how to assess tree risk more effectively, communicate with the public during weather events, and prepare your tree management program for future extreme weather. The session includes case studies, photos, and key takeaways that can improve planning and emergency response. Presenter: Alan Haywood, Owner, Alan Haywood Arborist & Horticulturist LLC Alan Haywood is a Certified Arborist and Horticulturist with over 30 years of experience in municipal parks maintenance, urban forestry, and landscape management. He spent three decades with the City of Issaquah Parks and Recreation Department, where he led maintenance operations, managed budgets, and coordinated the city’s Tree City USA program. Alan holds a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from Washington State University and multiple certifications, including Tree Risk Assessment and Integrated Pest Management. He is an active member of several professional associations and has been recognized for his service and leadership in the field. Now, through Haywood Arborist Services, he shares his expertise with communities throughout King and Pierce counties. Food ForestsLearning Objectives: TBA Description: TBA Presenter: Jessi Bloom, Owner, NW Bloom EcoLogic |