About the Authors
Ned Conwell has taught environmental education and nature awareness skills to youth and adults for 12 years and is currently an organic farmer and co-owner of Blue House Farm. He has been an instructor for the Institute of Nature Awareness and is currently on staff for the Regenerative Design and Nature Awareness program located in Bolinas, CA. Ned has a B.S. in Ecology and Environmental Education from U.C. Berkeley, a certificate in Ecological Horticulture from the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems at U.C. Santa Cruz, and received a permaculture design certificate from the Regenerative Design Institute. Ned is passionate about the combination of wilderness and gardens and enjoys exploring the coastal ecology from the deck of his surfboard.
Cindy Kerschner is a freelance writer and Master Gardener. Cindy has conducted over 60 workshops on composting for Penn State Master Gardeners for the general public, schools, scout troops and civic groups. These programs helped contribute to Penn State University winning the 2001 Governor’s Award in Excellence for Environmental Education. She also teaches classes on native plants, edible wild plants, gardening for wildlife, and water related issues. Her organic gardening tips have appeared in numerous publications including Mother Earth News and Back Home Magazine. Cindy is a contributing writer to columns in Lawn & Garden, Times News, and Pocono Record and published an organic gardening newsletter for four years. She is a member of the Garden Writers Association of America. Cindy lives in Northeast Pennsylvania where she gardens with a green thumb.