Ben Alexander
Ben is co-owner of Sound Native Plants and oversees the installation projects as well as consults on projects and permitting. Ben's experience includes:

- Creating and implementing plans for steep slope stabilization, including reconstruction of banks using live cribwalls, vegetated geogrids, willow fascines, geotextiles, and native plantings.
- Designing and installing restoration projects for streams, marine bluffs, wetlands and wetland buffers, and lakeshores in western Washington.
- Compiling and evaluating weed control techniques for invasive species commonly found on restoration sites in western Washington.
- Designing and installing low-flow irrigation systems for restoration sites.
- Serving as Environmental Planner for Thurston County Stormwater Program for five years; primary author of comprehensive drainage basin plans.
- Supervising the activities of the Thurston County Stream Team.
- Developing and managing wilderness restoration projects for Olympic and Yosemite National Parks.

Ben holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Planning from the Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA, and is qualified to conduct the Riparian Function and Fish Habitat modules for Washington Department of Natural Resources Watershed Analyses.

Ben has several publications to his credit, including: McAllister/Eaton Creek Comprehensive Drainage Basin Plan, Thurston County, WA, 1994; "Restoring Yosemite's Wildlands" in the Bulletin of the Yosemite Association, CA, 1989; contributing author, Oaks of California, ed. John Evarts, Cachuma Press, CA, 1992; Photographic Documentation: Soleduck Revegetation Project, USDI National Park Service, Denver, CO, 1991. E-mail Ben.

Susan Buis
Susan is co-founder of Sound Native Plants and is a recognized authority on propagating northwest native plants. Currently, Susan is on leave from the business to take on a new challenge as horticulturist for the Washington State Department of Transportation. She continues to consult and give workshops for Sound Native Plants on occasion.

Susan is a contributing editor to the Native Plants Journal and speaks widely on the subjects of writing specifications for native plants for restoration and mitigation projects, native plant propagation and other topics. She has taught classes and workshops for the University of Washington, Society of Wetland Scientists, the Society for Ecological Restoration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Washington State Departments of Ecology and Transportation, the Washington Native Plant Society, and numerous local community projects and groups. Susan's professional experience also includes:

- Designing and installing wetland mitigation projects in the Puget Sound area.
- Creating and implementing plans for restoration of stream banks, marine bluffs, and lakeshores in western Washington.
- Producing a model native plant nursery propagation and management program for the City of Kent.
- Authoring a National Park Service guide to propagating and using common native plants for restoration purposes in western Washington.
- Developing and managing wilderness restoration projects, including nursery operations, for Olympic and Yosemite National Parks.

Cathy Sampselle
Cathy Sampselle joined Sound Native Plants as nursery manager in 2004. She has lived and worked in many bioregions, affording her a diverse background in plant ecology, propagation, and taxonomy. Her experience includes:

Cathy obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in plant biology and forest ecology from the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment in Ann Arbor and a Master of Science degree from the University of Idaho with a research concentration in plant ecology. She trained as a Habitat Steward in Oregon and has worked to promote native landscaping and plantings to increase urban wildlife habitat. E-mail Cathy.

Adrienne Basey
Adrienne began working for Sound Native Plants on the installation crew early in 2004, and was hired as nursery crew leader soon after. Adrienne’s experience includes:

- Performing vascular plant, bird, and mammal surveys and follow-up rapid assessments on newly acquired public lands for Washington Fish and Wildlife.
- Performing wetland delineations throughout Thurston and Mason counties.
- Conducting headwater stream amphibian surveys including habitat analysis and species identification.
- Developing and teaching environmental education programs for Multnomah County Education Service District, the Audubon Society, Deerdance, Portland Metro, and Friends of Tryon Creek State Park, leading instruction in classroom and extended field trips.
- Instructing students at The Evergreen State College on introductory plant
biology and analytical instrumentation theory and application.

Adrienne holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington. She also received wetlands training through the Environmental Professional Program at Portland State University. E-mail Adrienne.

Amee Bahr
Amee worked for Sound Native Plants as a dedicated member of our nursery crew from 2000-2002. She re-joined the business as office manager in December 2003. Amee’s experience includes:

- Eight years’ experience working for nurseries and greenhouses in Washington state, the majority spent working with Pacific Northwest native plants in the Puget Sound area.
- Managing the school greenhouse for Spokane Community College, including training new students and creating propagation and maintenance plans.
- Performing wetland delineations using the US Army Corps of Engineers methodology and applying the Washington State Wetland Rating System.
- Propagating and maintaining a wide variety of western Washington native plants.
- Creating theses projects on topics such as food safety, agriculture, ecological footprints and restoration ecology.

Amee holds an Associate of Applied Science in Horticulture from Spokane Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington. E-mail Amee.

Chad Stemm
Chad has been the crew leader for our Vancouver, WA - based installation crew for the past six years. Chad ’s experience includes:

- Developing invasive plant management and native habitat restoration programs for an organic farm and wildlife refuge on Snoqualmie River.
- Creating and maintaining a native plant nursery to supply restoration projects.
- Owning and managing a gardening and landscaping business in Seattle.
- Installing and maintaining a wide variety of restoration plantings.
- Growing and selling retail plants in Seattle.

Chad has completed science and music coursework through Pacific Lutheran University. He manages the installation and maintenance of restoration and mitigation projects throughout Clark county for Sound Native Plants. E-mail Chad.

Amber Fox
Amber has been a member of our Vancouver, WA - based installation crew for four years. She installs and maintains restoration and mitigation projects throughout Clark county. Amber’s experience includes:

- Supervising crews for landscaping projects including installing irrigation and plantings.
- Installing fencing and maintaining fields for small farms.
- Management experience including hiring staff, ordering from suppliers and developing work schedules.
- Developing and managing the fund raising and adult education programs for a natural science education non-profit organization.
- Planning and implementing a habitat restoration project designed to protect wildlife migration corridors.
- Developing and implementing public education programs for both children and adults for a historical society and museum.

Amber has volunteered with numerous community organizations including Mentor Portland Adventure Youth Mentoring and Growing Gardens in Portland. Amber holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources Recreation and Tourism from the University of Idaho, with an emphasis in Environmental Education. E-mail Amber.