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Session 2 [clear filter]
Saturday, February 23
 

11:15am CST

Advocating for Bird-Friendly Buildings in the Chicago Area
Learn about successful efforts to promote bird-friendly buildings in Chicago and Evanston from activists, collision monitors, architects, and a university facilities manager. Includes initiatives to establish bird-friendly building ordinances as well as retrofit existing buildings, design guidelines and tips for bird-proofing existing windows. Bird Friendly Chicago, Bird Friendly Evanston, Northwestern University and Studio Gang will be featured.
Presenters
CG

CARL GIOMETTI

Chicago Ornithological Society
CH

Claire Halpin

Studio Gang
AP

Annette Prince

Director, Chicago Bird Collision Monitors
Promoting the protection and rescue of migratory birds harmed by window collisions. Educational programs and consultations about bird friendly design.
AS

Allison Sloan

Bird Friendly Evanston, Natural Habitat Evanston

Saturday February 23, 2019 11:15am - 12:00pm CST
rms. 54, 56, 58
  Session 2, 2A

11:15am CST

Bumble Bee Biology, Identification, Decline, and Conservation
Bumblebees are facing many threats and people want to know how they can help. Speakers and topics include Alan Molumby: ecology; Tomasz Przybylowicz: behavior; Stephanie Frischie: challenges and threats; Brittany Buckles: identification and rusty-patched data reporting; and Terry Miesle: hands-on photo identification quiz.
Presenters
avatar for Brittany Buckles

Brittany Buckles

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
SF

Stephanie Frischie

Xerces Society
avatar for Terry Miesle

Terry Miesle

Native Bee Awareness Initiative
Field Monitor and advocate for native bees, wasps, insects. Formally monitoring at Fermilab Natural Areas and occasionally other sites.
avatar for Alan J. Molumby

Alan J. Molumby

University of Illinois at Chicago and James Woodworth Prairie
TP

Tomasz Przybylowicz

University of Illinois at Chicago

Saturday February 23, 2019 11:15am - 12:00pm CST
rms. 23-32
  Session 2, 2T

11:15am CST

Chicago Nature: Spreading the Good Word
The Chicago region is home to more natural area than 35 of the 59 national parks and more native plant species than ANY national park. Yet, most Chicagoans are unaware. So, photographer Mike MacDonald created ChicagoNatureNow.com to help Chicagoans fall in love with local nature. Come and be inspired by beauty, and learn how to use the website to spread the good word and to spark volunteerism at your site. Visit ChicagoNatureNOW! for more information

Presenters
avatar for Mike MacDonald

Mike MacDonald

President, ChicagoNatureNOW!
I'm a conservation photographer, writer, and public speaker. (See www.ChicagoNature.com) But most of all, I'm a Nature Matchmaker. My mission is help Chicagoans fall in love with Chicago nature and to, ultimately, increase the number of volunteers who work to restore our precious... Read More →

Saturday February 23, 2019 11:15am - 12:00pm CST
rm. 48
  Session 2, 2H

11:15am CST

Dismantling Climate Deniers' Arguments
Trying to have a conversation with someone who denies that climate change is real can be frustrating. This interactive presentation will use role-play to help you deconstruct the denier's argument, point by point. You might not make a believer out of them in one encounter, but you will be able to deliver your message about the reality of climate change, calmly and decisively.
Presenters
JS

Julie Sacco

Climate Reality Project, Chicago Chapter

Saturday February 23, 2019 11:15am - 12:00pm CST
rm. 45
  Session 2, 2K

11:15am CST

Effective Use of Social Media for Stewards and Conservation Organizations
Whether you’re a steward building a volunteer network, a conservation organization promoting its programs, or a foundation communicating with donors, social media can play an important role. 3 presenters will share their insights into effectively and affordably using social media in recruiting, marketing, educating, entertaining, and motivating your audiences. Audience questions and comments follow.
Presenters
BB

Brian Basilico

B2b Interactive Marketing
avatar for Jim Cudney

Jim Cudney

President, 12 Moons Group
Earth-rider, communications specialist, photographer. My company, The 12 Moons Group does online marketing and development for companies and organizations. I also work at Red Buffalo Nursery doing natural areas restoration and am a volunteer steward at Salamander Springs, a Dundee... Read More →
CM

Caitlynn Martinez-McWhorter

Social Media Specialist, McHenry County Conservation District
avatar for April M. Williams

April M. Williams

Volunteer Steward, Steward Dundee Township Open Space and Cyberlife Tutors
Dixie Briggs Fromm Nature Preserve, a 66 acre Illinois State Nature Preserve in Algonquin, IL. is my happy place. The best volunteers ever join me there the first Saturday of each month. Come out and see how much fun we have while restoring this remnant prairie. I am active with... Read More →

Saturday February 23, 2019 11:15am - 12:00pm CST
rm. 44
  Session 2, 2D

11:15am CST

Implementing Regional Standardization of Ecological Restoration Practices: Working together to train volunteers in invasive species management and leadership
Are you involved in training natural areas volunteers? Are you interested in helping build ecological restoration standards for our volunteer steward community? If so, please join us! Building on the in-demand Chicago Wilderness Burn Crew Training model, hear from regional volunteer managers and lend your voice to our discussion on barriers to standardization and solutions through collaboration.
Presenters
KD

Kurt Dreisilker

The Morton Arboretum
avatar for Trinity Pierce

Trinity Pierce

Natural Areas Conservation Training Program Coordinator, The Morton Arboretum
Hi! I am jazzed to attend another Wild Things Conference! This collaborative setting is ripe for making genuine connections and sharing information about the program I coordinate. The N-ACT Program provides participants the skills they need to manage the natural areas that are such... Read More →

Saturday February 23, 2019 11:15am - 12:00pm CST
rms. 40, 41
  Session 2, 2G

11:15am CST

Lessons on Propagating Rare Plants
There are native plant species that seem to be very difficult to start from seed, and this can hinder people from reintroducing them into the wild. Learn from our experience on the production of several native species that have been difficult to start from seed. General knowledge of plant propagation is not required, but will help in this talk.
Presenters
LD

Luke Dahlberg

Citizens for Conservation
avatar for Kelly Schultz

Kelly Schultz

Lake County Forest Preserves
Come learn about seed collecting and seed ID (Fruits of our Labor, 1J) and propagating rare plants (2F)
RS

Rob Sulski


Saturday February 23, 2019 11:15am - 12:00pm CST
rm. 21
  Session 2, 2F

11:15am CST

Models of Early Childhood Education on Public Lands
Research shows that positive early experiences in nature greatly facilitate the development of a lifelong concern for the environment. Learn how different programs utilize public lands to nurture whole-child development and an appreciation of the natural world, and bring your questions to panelists from Chicago Public Schools and NeighborSpace, Forest Playschool Chicago, and Chicago Botanic Garden.
Presenters
avatar for Robin Cline

Robin Cline

Assistant Director, NeighborSpace
Currently, as Assistant Director of NeighborSpace, an urban land trust in Chicago, Robin’s leadership is multifaceted, involving neighborhood agency, creative stewardship, and program design. She supports community leaders throughout Chicago in developing, managing, and sustaining... Read More →
JF

Jessica Fong

Chicago Public Schools
avatar for Emilian Geczi

Emilian Geczi

Director, Natural Start Alliance, North American Association for Environmental Education
Emilian directs the North American Association for Environmental Education's early childhood initiative, Natural Start. In that capacity, he supports the work of educators, administrators, researchers, and other professionals who help young children connect to nature and care for... Read More →
EP

Eileen Prendergast

Chicago Botanic Garden
TW

Teresa Weed

Forest Playschool Chicago

Saturday February 23, 2019 11:15am - 12:00pm CST
rm. 49
  Session 2, 2N

11:15am CST

PHNRC - How We Created a Successful Stewardship Organization
Starting with a dream, the Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission has become a successful volunteer organization.  Armed with knowledge, imagination, curiosity, relentless ambition and the good will of volunteers and city counterparts, the PHNRC has achieved beyond what should have been possible. Commissioners will explain what they did, how they did it and their challenges and successes.
Presenters
JK

John Kamysz

Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission
avatar for Edward Madden

Edward Madden

Commissioner, Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission
We are working to restore several natural areas in our community.
SM

Seth Marcus

Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission
JM

Jill Moskal

Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission
DS

Dana Sievertson

Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission
AW

agnes wojnarski

Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission

Saturday February 23, 2019 11:15am - 12:00pm CST
rms. 55,57
  Session 2, 2Q

11:15am CST

Programa ProTEJA: A Partnership for the Conservation of Nature and Empowerment of Communities
We will present on the collaboration of Enlace Chicago and Lincoln Park Zoo to create Programa ProTEJA – a nature program in the Little Village community. Using the train the trainer model, the zoo teaches the curriculum to neighborhood leaders, who teach a group of educators, who facilitate the lessons. Both organizations will discuss their experience and the program’s impact on the community.
Presenters
AB

Amanda Benitez

Director of Community Health, Enlace Chicago
GM

Gregoria Marquez

Enlace Chicago
SM

Silvia Montoya

Enlace Chicago
MD

Maria de Jesus Garcia

Enlace Chicago
MD

Maria de Lourdes Martinez

Enlace Chicago
MH

Maria Herrera

Public Health Coordinator, Enlace Chicago
AR

Ana Ruiz Perez

Lincoln Park Zoo
AS

Ali Schneiderman

Lincoln Park Zoo

Saturday February 23, 2019 11:15am - 12:00pm CST
rm. 51
  Session 2, 2B

11:15am CST

SPLIT SESSION: Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Outreach / Lake Michigan Meteorite Hunt (The Aquarius Project!)
Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Outreach
Greg Hitzroth, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and Illinois Natural History Survey 
Dumping aquariums, planting invasive species, transporting aquatic weeds on boats, and releasing live bait are ways people have introduced and spread aquatic invasive species (AIS). Outreach emphasizing changes in hobbyist behaviors is an effective way to mitigate AIS impacts. This presentation will focus on AIS prevention education efforts with an emphasis on the importance of partnerships.

Lake Michigan Meteorite Hunt (The Aquarius Project!)
Philip Willink, The Aquarius Project; Chris Bresky, Adler Planetarium; Marc Fries, NASA; Mark Hammergren, Adler Planetarium; Shane Larson, Northwestern; Philipp Heck, Field Museum; Jennika Greer, Field Museum
On February 6, 2017, a meteor streaked over Chicago, exploding into thousands of bits that rained down into Lake Michigan. In the first collaborative scientific effort among Adler Planetarium, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and NASA, we are using weather radar, ROVs, and a specially designed magnetic sled to attempt to retrieve meteorites from hundreds of feet below the surface of Lake Michigan.
Presenters
MF

Marc Fries

NASA
JG

Jennika Greer

Field Museum
MH

Mark Hammergren

Adler Planetarium
PH

Philipp Heck

Field Museum
GH

Greg Hitzroth

AIS Outreach Specialist, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and Illinois Natural History Survey
Aquatic Invasive Species
SL

Shane Larson

Northwestern
avatar for Philip Willink

Philip Willink

The Aquarius Project

Saturday February 23, 2019 11:15am - 12:00pm CST
rm. 46
  Session 2, 2M

11:15am CST

SPLIT SESSION: Assessing The Chicago Area’s Contribution to Broader-scale Grassland Bird Conservation Efforts / The Effects of Bison Reintroduction on Grassland Bird Nest Success in Tallgrass Prairie
Assessing The Chicago Area’s Contribution to Broader-scale Grassland Bird Conservation Efforts
Jim Herkert, Illinois Audubon Society and Daniel Saurez, Audubon Great Lakes
The Chicago Area supports large populations of grassland birds due in large part to the lands owned and managed by conservation organizations and county, state, and federal governments.  In this presentation we will discuss recent analyses that have been focused on assessing the role of the Chicago area in broader-scale conservation efforts for Bobolinks and Grasshopper and Henslow’s sparrows.

The Effects of Bison Reintroduction on Grassland Bird Nest Success in Tallgrass Prairie
Heather Herakovich , Northern Illinois University
Restoration projects have sought to increase the quality and size of tallgrass prairie fragments in Illinois, hypothetically increasing breeding habitat for grassland birds. American bison are now being reintroduced to some of these restorations as a management tool. This presentation will go over how this reintroduction impacted the nest success of grassland nesting birds at Nachusa Grasslands.
Presenters
avatar for Heather Herakovich

Heather Herakovich

PhD, Northern Illinois University
Newly minted PhD. Would love to talk jobs with your institution!
JH

Jim Herkert

Illinois Audubon Society

Saturday February 23, 2019 11:15am - 12:00pm CST
rm. 22
  Session 2, 2R

11:15am CST

SPLIT SESSION: Keeping Crown Vetch, Teasel and Purple Loosestrife at Bay at a High-Quality Preserve / Callery Pear: The Invasive Trojan Horse
Keeping Crown Vetch, Teasel and Purple Loosestrife at Bay at a High-Quality Preserve
Eriko Kojima, Volunteer Steward, Somme Preserve, North Branch Restoration Project (FPCC)
Presenter will share the methodology aimed at eradicating troublesome herbaceous invasives at a high-quality preserve, with a focus on crown vetch, teasel, reed canary grass, and purple loosestrife. We will discuss application techniques, chemicals, and timing.

Callery Pear: The Invasive Trojan Horse
Patricia Hayes, Volunteer Site Steward, Orland Grassland (FPCC)
Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana), a China & Vietnam native, was hybridized to be the perfect ornamental tree.  Its commonly known cultivar, Bradford Pear, continues to be the darling of gardened landscapes but is a vicious invasive.  Find out what it looks like, how it escapes, and removal strategies at Orland Grassland, a 960-acre site of rolling grassland with about 800 acres of open, contiguous prairie.
Presenters
PH

Patrcia Hayes

Volunteer Site Steward, Orland Grassland (FPCC)
avatar for Eriko Kojima

Eriko Kojima

Volunteer steward
Life is beautiful and each day is a precious gift I accept with gratitude. I strive to live it with humility, a sense of humor and detachment. Towards all who cross my path I offer love, kindness and positivity. I dedicate each day to serve the earth and its creatures. Let's do it... Read More →

Saturday February 23, 2019 11:15am - 12:00pm CST
rm. 47
  Session 2, 2J

11:15am CST

SPLIT SESSION: Secretive Marsh Birds in the Big City / Cook County's Swamp Chicken… AKA the King Rail
Secretive Marsh Birds in the Big City
Stephanie Beilke, Audubon Great Lakes and Anastasia Rahlin,  Illinois Natural History Survey
A regional marsh bird study explores how secretive marsh birds are impacted by urbanization in the Chicago area.

Cook County's Swamp Chicken… AKA the King Rail 
Chuck Rizzo, Forest Preserves of Cook County 
The King Rail, once a common bird, has experienced a drop in its population. Our understanding of its biology and habitat needs is poor, prompting us to initiate a field study. Because the King Rail spends its life in marshes, this species is difficult to study. In 2013 we located one adult bird. In 2014 we banded 3 chicks. The information from these birds helped us improve habitat for this species.
Presenters
AR

Anastasia Rahlin

Associate Ornithologist, Illinois Natural History Survey
Migratory bird diversity, rail and cryptic wetland bird conservation, red-headed woodpecker declines
avatar for Charles Rizzo

Charles Rizzo

Forest Preserves of Cook County

Saturday February 23, 2019 11:15am - 12:00pm CST
rms. 52, 53
  Session 2, 2E

11:15am CST

SPLIT SESSION: The Past, Present, and Future of TreeKeepers / Project Quercus: Conserving Oaks on Private Land in McHenry County
The Past, Present, and Future of TreeKeepers
Al De Reu , Openlands
Openlands TreeKeepers Program has trained nearly 2,000 volunteers over 27 years. As Openlands looks to expand this program, various challenges exist, from cultural and linguistic barriers to municipal workers’ hesitation to working with volunteers. Efforts must be made to reach new audiences, sustain current volunteers, and engage new municipal partners in order to expand the TreeKeepers model.

Project Quercus: Conserving Oaks on Private Land in McHenry County
Lisa Haderlein , The Land Conservancy of McHenry County
The Oak Recovery Plan for the Chicago Region identifies work with private landowners as a key to successful oak conservation. Lessons learned from twelve years of implementing The Land Conservancy of McHenry County's Project Quercus will be shared to help inspire and inform others in the region working to tackle conservation of the 70% of the region's oaks that are located on private property.
Presenters
avatar for Lisa Haderlein

Lisa Haderlein

Executive Director, The Land Conservancy of McHenry County
I have been Executive Director at The Land Conservancy of McHenry County since 2002. Currently, I serve as a Network Architect for the Vital Lands Illinois project, and was previously a board member for the Prairie State Conservation Coalition. I am passionate about oak conservation... Read More →
AD

Al De Reu

TreeKeepers Program Manager, Openlands

Saturday February 23, 2019 11:15am - 12:00pm CST
rm. 50
  Session 2, 2P

11:15am CST

SPLIT SESSION: Wetland Birds and Hybrid Cattail Invasion / Nature Boardwalk: A Naturalized Ecosystem for Native Chicago Wildlife / Is Urbanization Impacting the Sex Ratio of Painted Turtles in Lake County, IL?
Wetland Birds and Hybrid Cattail Invasion
Kurtis Himmler, Loyola University Chicago
The spread of invasive plants has transformed wetland habitat throughout the Great Lakes region, reducing habitat suitability for some wetland bird species.  Hear discussion of the impact of the invasive hybrid cattail, Typha x glauca, on Great Lakes ecosystems and the implications for wetland birds, as well as  connections between local hybrid cattail research and wetland bird conservation.  

Nature Boardwalk: A Naturalized Ecosystem for Native Chicago Wildlife
Maria Jazmin Rios, Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo
From the state endangered Black-Crowned Night Heron to the occasional coyote and fox, the Lincoln Park Zoo’s recently naturalized 14-acre Nature Boardwalk supports over 160 different species of migrant and resident birds and many other wildlife. Come learn about the wildlife species that call the Nature Boardwalk their home.

Is Urbanization Impacting the Sex Ratio of Painted Turtles in Lake County, IL?
John P. Vanek, Northern Illinois University; Richard B. King , Northern Illinois University; Gary G. Glowacki, Lake County Forest Preserve District
Urbanization isolates turtle populations via the proliferation of roads, which also causes direct mortality. We tested the impacts of urbanization on the sex ratios of Painted Turtles in Lake County. Preliminary results suggest the average sex ratio was male biased (up to 5.5:1). We will discuss how urbanization correlates with this result and discuss management interventions.
Presenters
KH

Kurtis Himmler

Loyola University Chicago
avatar for Jazmin Rios

Jazmin Rios

Wildlife Management Coordinator and Master's Student, Urban Wildlife Institute at Lincoln Park Zoo and DePaul University
avatar for John Vanek

John Vanek

PhD Candidate, Northern Illinois University

Saturday February 23, 2019 11:15am - 12:00pm CST
rms. 42, 43
  Session 2, 2S

11:15am CST

The Tallgrass Prairie: Grocery Store, Apothecary, and Love Shop
Native Americans and early settlers saw the prairie as their home—a place that supplied everything from groceries to art supplies; medicine to love charms. Join prairie steward, natural history instructor, and writer Cindy Crosby for interactive stories of prairie ethnobotany—how people used prairie plants throughout history—and the potential resources our prairie plants may hold for the future.
Presenters
avatar for Cindy Crosby

Cindy Crosby

writer, prairie steward, dragonfly coordinator, Nachusa Grasslands, The Morton Arboretum
I have a passion for sharing the natural world through words, images, and experiences. I'm the author, compiler, or contributor to more than 20 books, none self-published; most recently "The Tallgrass Prairie: An Introduction" (Northwestern University Press, 2017) and the forthcoming... Read More →

Saturday February 23, 2019 11:15am - 12:00pm CST
rms. 33, 34
  Session 2, 2C