Bert Cregg, Ph.D
Professor of Horticulture and Forestry, Michigan State University

Dr. Bert Cregg is a professor of Horticulture and Forestry at Michigan State University. He conducts research and extension programs on the physiology and management of trees with a focus on urban forestry and nursery and Christmas tree production.

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PJ Liesch
Entomologist, UW-Madison Extension

Patrick (PJ) Liesch is an Extension entomologist and the director of the University of Wisconsin Insect Diagnostic Lab. PJ also provides entomology-related outreach throughout the state, including regular appearances on Wisconsin Public Radio.

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Dr. Mike Schuster
Researcher, University of Minnesota

Mike Schuster, PhD, is a dynamic and dedicated researcher in the Department of Forest Resources in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences at the University of Minnesota. Schuster’s work delves into the intricate interactions between global environmental shifts and their impact on plant communities and ecosystem processes, with an emphasis on how invasive plant species, climate change, and nitrogen deposition shape our natural world.

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Mark Dwyer
Horticulturist & Landscape Designer

Mark Dwyer is currently the Garden Manager at the Edgerton (WI) Hospital Healing Garden and operates his own landscape design and consulting company, Landscape Prescriptions by MD. Prior to this, Mark was Director of Horticulture for 22 years at Rotary Botanical Gardens (Janesville, WI). Mark has degrees in landscape architecture and urban forestry.

Dr. Doug Soldat
Soil Extension Specialist and Professor, UW-Madison

Doug Soldat is a professor and turfgrass extension specialist and chair of the Department of Soil Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Doug completed his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Soil Science from UW-Madison and earned a Ph.D. in Plant Science from Cornell University. His research and outreach programs are focused on improving turfgrass nutrient and water use efficiency. Doug teaches courses on turfgrass management and general soil science at the University of Wisconsin. 

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John Gishnock III
Owner/Landscape Architect, formecology, LLC

Dr. John Gishnock III is owner, licensed landscape architect, and sustainable landscaping advocate of formecology LLC, a Madison-based landscape design / build / care firm. At formecology LLC, John applies over 30 years of experience to focus on the use of native plants, rain gardens and prairie gardens, and natural stone hardscapes to achieve a low-maintenance, functional, and beautiful landscape for homeowners, small businesses, and public spaces.

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Dr. Brian Hudelson
Director, Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic, UW-Madison Extension

Brian Hudelson, affectionately known as “Dr. Death”, is the director of the UW-Madison Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic (PDDC).  The PDDC provides expertise in diagnosing plant disease problems, and information on plant diseases and their control to a wide range of clientele throughout the state of Wisconsin and beyond.

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David Garison Stevens
Ed Hasselkus Curator, Longenecker Horticultural Gardens
University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum

David is curator of Longenecker Horticultural Gardens, the U.W. Arboretum’s arboretum, which contain Wisconsin’s premiere collection of woody plants. His work background includes tree breeding and selection, greenhouse facility management, public garden supervision, and commercial vegetable production. He has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in horticulture from Virginia Tech and U.W.-Madison respectively. When not at the Arboretum, he helps run a 130-acre certified organic farm near Baraboo, WI with his wife Jane, with whom he was awarded the prestigious Organic Farmer of the Year award by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service in 2020.