Speakers will be added as they are confirmed

Dr. Tim Webster

Dr. Tim WebsterResearch Scientist

Tim has been a research scientist with NSCC’s Applied Research Group since 2000. He has an MSc from Acadia University and a PhD from Dalhousie University. The 2010 recipient of the Gulf of Maine Council Visionary Award previously worked in the private sector for a GIS software developer in Ottawa before becoming a faculty member in remote sensing and GIS at NSCC’s Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS).

Tim is the principal investigator on a Canada Foundation for Innovation award to purchase bathymetric lidar and other related equipment. This technology can be used in several areas including coastal zone management, river and coastal flood risk, erosion and land stability studies. In addition to his research, Tim supervises courses and students at COGS. He also co-supervises graduate students in the Acadia–NSCC joint MSc program in Applied Geomatics.

Tim’s focus includes lidar and other high-resolution remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques for mapping, monitoring and modelling processes in the coastal zone, with an emphasis on flood risk and erosion. Tim will continue to expand his research efforts in the area of climate change and flood risk. His work focuses on coastal communities located on major river systems where the threat of heavy-rainfall runoff events can combine with higher sea levels of storm-surge events that compound the flood-risk issues. He’s also interested in expanding into the application of mobile mapping technology.

Jamie Aalbers

Jamie Aalbers graduated from the University of Guelph with a B.Sc. (Agr) in Horticultural Science and Business and has since been involved in the ornamental horticulture sector in many capacities, including greenhouse grower, mini-rose breeder, research director, trials’ manager and consultant. For 14 years he worked with Flowers Canada and Landscape Ontario, managing a portfolio that included research, business risk management and government relations. Fifteen years ago, he took on a part time role to manage greenhouse flower trials and the SR&ED technical reports resulting from those trials.

Currently Jamie is the Growers Sector Specialist for the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, responsible for managing a wide array of national nursery grower issues which include plant health and trade, research and new plant development.

Christene LeVatte

Christene Stenhouse LeVatte BBA CLD, CLHM, LEED Green Associate is co-owner of Highland Landscapes for Lifestyle, a family owned landscape design/build firm and turf production farm in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

Christine is Past President of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, Past Chair of and current CNLA Atlantic Representative on the Canadian Landscape Standard CSLA CNLA Joint Committee and is the CNLA Government Relations Co-Chair.

Christine has been involved with the production of the Canadian Landscape Standard since it first launched in 2016 and continues to work towards having a copy of the Canadian Landscape Standard on the desk of every landscape professional in the country.

Jim Hole

Jim Hole knows the business of farming and horticulture like no other. He learned about growing and selling produce from his parents, Ted and Lois Hole, who set up a vegetable farm in St. Albert in the mid-1950s, expanding the business into a successful greenhouse operation, the “Enjoy Centre”. The Hole family has been in the greenhouse business for more than 68 years in which started as a backyard business on their family’s farm outside of St. Albert, AB. Ted and Lois Hole transformed the red barn on their farm into the family’s first retail store on their vegetable farm in St. Albert in the mid-1950s and eventually expanding the business into a successful greenhouse operation.

In 1979, Jim Hole, Bill Hole, and Valerie Hole took over the company and expanded it where it became one of the largest independent retail garden centers in Canada. In 2009, Jim constructed the Enjoy Centre, a multi-use facility featuring a greenhouse, conference center, café, restaurant, market, and pop-up shops. Jim and the family recently sold the Enjoy Centre to focus on other projects. He is ardent about plants, the environment, and business.

Jim Hole’s humor and engaging spirit are legendary, making him a highly sought-after speaker across the country. In addition to writing bestselling books, newspaper columns for a variety of major newspapers, Jim can be heard on CBC radio and seen on various TV stations sharing his messages and tips on gardening and horticulture, continuing his family’s legacy.

Jim Hole is also the past President of the University of Alberta Alumni Association and Co-Chaired the University’s Centenary Celebrations. Jim Hole has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture (Plant Science major) from the University of Alberta. Jim is a Certified Professional Horticulturist with the American Society for Horticultural Science. Jim Hole is also a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture.

Grant Harrison

Grant has been in the landscape industry since he was 15 years old. He has shovelled

snow, planted trees, built decks, laid interlock stone, built retaining walls, cut grass and

dug post holes. He knows the technical side of the industry.

He then managed field production staff, quality control, hiring and firing, and customer

care. He knows the operational side of the industry.

Grant opened his own landscape design/build business. He dealt with the burden of

cash flow, staff management, customer expectations, growing pains, lack of support,

balancing working in the business with working on the business and trying to balance

family life in the midst of it all. He knows the business ownership side of the industry.

Personally.

Most recently, he has worked in both franchise and branch systems. Grant has been

instrumental in building structure, processes, accountability and standardization to help

these businesses grow leaner, stronger and more profitable. He knows the support side

of the industry.

Grant is convinced that creating a strong team, knowing your numbers and establishing

a network of support is foundational to business growth and personal success. He is a

believer in constantly learning, asking questions and using technology. He has a

passion to see business owners and their staff experience success and satisfaction in

the industry that he knows and loves.

Paul Brydges

Paul Brydges is the Senior Landscape Architect, and founder of Brydges Landscape Architecture; established in 2004. Paul brings over 40 years of combined horticultural and design/build experience to the design process.

Paul is Past President of Landscape Ontario and he is a member of the AALD, APALA, ASLA, CNLA, CSLA, LNS, OALA.

Paul lectures throughout North America on the values of design, the environment and collaboration.

Currently Paul is the Chair of the National Designer Sub Committee with CNLA and on the Vimy Oaks Legacy Committee, he is a CLD and Fusion Landscape professional.

For Paul, it is truly important to create unique and environmentally responsible designs. Not only for aesthetic reasons, but also to align with the company value of "honouring" nature.