John Peter Thompson is a nationally recognized speaker and consultant on sustainability issues including invasive species, sustainability, ecosystem services and environmental justice as well as traditional landscape solutions. Mr. Thompson just returned from Alaska where he has a contract to in part establish a dialogue between private interests and public agencies on issues surrounding ornamental horticulture, gardeners, producers and invasive species.
John Peter Thompson
In addition to Alaska, Mr. Thompson is working on a sustainable agriculture production project with the Africa Trade Office of Maryland and coffee growers in Cameroon, West Africa. He recently researched and wrote a paper for the National Invasive Species Awareness Week meeting in Washington DC on climate change’s impact on invasive species dynamics. Last year he organized and facilitated a national nursery industry meeting at the US National Arboretum on the practicality of establishing an invasive species free certification program through an ANLA- HRI grant. He maintains contact with stakeholders of his issues around the world through social media such as Twitter @InvasiveNotes on which he has over 2800 followers and is the author of two blogs, the first of which features Prince George’s County (The Prince Georgian: http://princegeorgian.blogspot.com/) and the second featuring national issues of sustainability, invasive species, science and the environment. (Invasive Notes: www.ipetrus.blogspot.com ).
In addition to his national role as a consultant and contractor, he has served Prince George’s County, Maryland in many volunteer capacities since the early 1990s including service currently as Vice Chair of the Prince George’s County Historic Preservation Commission, Trustee of the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, and board member of the Prince George’s County Community Foundation and as well as the Hospital Foundation.
He also served as Chair of the Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce and as Treasure of the United Communities Against Poverty. These volunteer positions are in addition to state and national committees such as his past service on the National Invasive Species Council as Vice Chairman of its Advisory Committee, and his current service as a technical advisor to the National Sustainable Landscape Initiative of the Green Building Council in collaboration with the Lady Bird Johnson Wild Flower Center. He is a past president of the Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association He is currently representing MNLA on the Maryland Invasive Species Council of which he is a founding member having served for ten years. Mr. Thompson also works as a volunteer advocate as President of the National Alliance Research Alliance – Beltsville for the enhancement and support of the employees and programs of the world’s largest and most advanced agricultural research facility, the Henry A Wallace National Agricultural Research Center – BARC, which includes the US National Arboretum, located in Prince George’s County as well as the sister organization founded by Abraham Lincoln, the US National Agricultural Library. From 1988 until 2008 he was employed by Behnke Nurseries in Beltsville where his last position was Chairman of the Board and CEO. His awards and recognitions include: Perennial Plant Association – Retailer of the Year 2003; Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce – Chair’s Award 2003; United Communities Against Poverty – Board Member of the Year 2004; Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce – Distinguished Service 2005; Prince George’s County Commendation for Service to the County 2005; Maryland House of Delegates – Citation for Service 2005; National Capitol Garden Clubs- Award of Excellence 2009
Contact information:
Twitter: @InvasiveNotes