Alumni
The Land Restoration School strives to build a community of restorationists and share everyone’s ongoing work and initiatives.
2024
Land Restoration School Final Presentations
August 15, 2024
Nadia Neziri, Hassan Richardson, Ty Doffek, Ben Binversie, Mya Chier
Also see a short video of what 2024 was like.
At LRS, we’ve adopted a tradition of sharing a short poem to begin each day. Or most days. Dan Collins wrote one to share one morning toward the end of the summer.
Nadia Neziri
Ecological Restoration Plan: Ecological Restoration Plan for Forest Beach Migratory Preserve and accompanying presentation
Nadia Neziri graduated from UW-Green Bay in May 2024 with a B.S. in environmental policy and planning, with a minor in environmental science. Undergrad work from this period consists of canvassing for politicians who support conservation, working as a stream ecology research assistant, and more. As corny as it may sound, my time at LRS was truly life-changing. The program not only deepened my understanding of ecological restoration but also fundamentally shifted my perspective on the natural world. I gained a profound appreciation for the intricate relationships within ecosystems and the importance of sustainable practices. This awareness has ignited a passion in me to further explore and contribute to land restoration efforts. The skills and knowledge I acquired at LRS have empowered me to approach environmental challenges with both confidence and curiosity. I’m excited to continue learning and applying what I’ve learned to make a meaningful impact on the environment. In the meantime, I will be creating art, reading, participating in activism work, traveling, hiking, and loving myself and all that surrounds me.
Hassan Richardson
Ecological Restoration Plan: Restoration Plan For Urban Ecological Succession: A Lustrous Riparian & Wet Meadow for the Milwaukee River Greenway and accompanying presentation
2024 LRS Alumni Here! Hassan Richardson developed an ecological restoration plan for the River Revitalization Foundation titled "Restoration Plan For Urban Ecological Succession: A Lustrous Riparian & Wet Meadow for the Milwaukee River Greenway". He recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee with a BS in Conservation & Environmental Sciences, minor in Biological sciences, and certificate in Urban Studies. During his undergraduate studies, he interned with Nearby Nature Milwaukee (environmental justice non-profit). He also participated in undergraduate research that studied the critically endangered Grenada frog and developed a natural resource management plan with peers for the Aldo Leopold Foundation. Current career interests are in quantitative ecology, environmental health, environmental quality, and environmental topics involving data. He dedicates his leisure to cooking, running, and boxing.
Ty Doffek
Ecological Restoration Plan: An Ecological Restoration and Cultural Reconciliation Plan at Spirit Lake Nature Preserve and accompanying presentation
LRS was a world-shifting type of experience. To me, it felt like a completely new format of education. An education that considers all viewpoints with sincerity. An education that completely supports all participants in actualizing their talents and voice. An education of healing deep wounds upon the land and within ourselves. A courageous approach in response to our fearful uncertainty of the future, and an acknowledgement of all that their is to love today.
Ben Binversie
Ecological Restoration Plan: Sugarbush Futures: Enacting A New Story of Place and accompanying presentation
Ben Binversie is interested in restoring humans to our rightful relationships of belonging with our homes. Ecological restoration work is one tool to use in that reciprocal effort of healing ourselves and our beloved places. LRS has equipped me with tools for creating places and relationships of wholeness. Ben is also interested in play, foraging, and creative expression of all sorts. His dreams are filled with big, fluffy dogs, rope swings into clean rivers, bicycle adventures, and potluck dinners of foraged goodies. Find him out in the wild or get a glimpse @benbinversie4 on instagram. Let's make something beautiful together.
Mya Chier
Ecological Restoration Plan: Estabrook Park: Restoration for a Better Future and accompanying presentation
Hi! I am a 2024 LRS and Marquette alumn. I graduated from Marquette with a BS in Biological Sciences and minor in Environmental Studies. During my time at Marquette, I conducted an independent research project studying plant electroculture. From this experience, I learned how to devise an experimental plan, perform measurements with various tools, and analyze data using R. My time at LRS has been an immersive experience teaching me how to view ecological restoration and land management from various disciplines. Upon completing the LRS, I am eager to start a career in the field of ecology.
2023
Land Restoration School Final Presentations
August 03, 2023
Taj Lalwani, Lindsey Broadhead, Alanna Fabian, Aleigha Fandre, Rielly Heintz, Nathaniel Wurzer, Duraid Abukhamseen
Duraid Abukhamseen
Ecological Restoration Plan: Building a Community Whilst Restoring a Landscape: Shannon Preserve Land Restoration & Management Plan and accompanying presentation
I am adaptable, ambitious, and bilingual with a passion for Environmental Management, Conservation, and Sustainability. I am currently studying environmental science and conservation biology, whilst also pursuing a certificate in renewable engineering systems . As an alumni of the Land Restoration School (LRS) and current President of the Wisconsin Boxing Club (WBC) at UW-Madison, I thrive in using research to inform decision-making and presenting complex findings effectively. Proficient in Microsoft Excel, AutoCAD, GPS surveying, and more. Recipient of the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission Scholarship. Eager to contribute hands-on work experience and expertise to create a greener future.
Lindsey Broadhead
Ecological Restoration Plan: South Oak: A Vision for the Future and accompanying presentation
Lindsey Broadhead has always been passionate about nature, art, and the outdoors. After completing a degree in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University, her experiences have taken her across the country working with nonprofit environmental organizations which have fueled her desire to protect, restore, and inspire people about local natural landscapes. She most recently completed a well received ecological restoration plan for the Ozaukee-Washington Land Trust’s South Oak Preserve in conjunction with the Land Restoration School, a comprehensive training in ecological restoration. She is now a restoration consultant and practitioner.
Nathaniel Wurzer
Ecological Restoration Plan: Spirit Lake Preserve as a Place of Restoration Ethos and accompanying presentation
Nathaniel is about connecting to place. His interest in and desire to engage with nature have manifested in a diverse pursuit of academics with the goal of helping humanity toward a non-violent relationship with ecology. Upon graduating from the Land Restoration School, he will begin entrepreneurship in restoration while completing a higher education degree.
Rielly Heintz
Ecological Restoration Plan: Gordon Park Restoration Plan and accompanying presentation
Rielly recently completed the Land Restoration School, comprehensive field training in Ecological Restoration where they learned how to assess a landscape from the viewpoints of soil, water and vegetation health. Rielly uses curiosity about history to guide their understanding of a landscape, believing that we need to understand the past in order to guide our future. Rielly has a deep connection with plants, and has been working in horticulture for the last 3 years. Rielly is interested in sustainability and guiding succession to restore degraded lands.
Alanna Fabian
Ecological Restoration Plan: Peninsula Sanctuary: A succession of sanctuaries and accompanying presentation
I am a recent graduate of UW Green Bay with a BS in biology with emphasis in ecology and conservation and I am working towards a minor in environmental policy and planning. I am interested in land management and how it relates to habitat conservation as well as the dysfunctional relationship between consumerism and sustainability. I love hiking, camping, bouldering, and all fruits.
Aleigha Fandre
Ecological Restoration Plan: Kurtz Woods: An Ecological Restoration Plan to Reconnect the Forest and accompanying presentation
I am passionate about working outdoors and in natural spaces. I am a student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Conservation Biology and Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As well as certificates in American Indian Studies and History. I served a one-year term from 2022-2023 as the student board member for the Friends of Allen Centennial Garden in Madison, working to engage student views within the space. My experience at the Land Restoration School has allowed me to gain hands-on experience both in planning and executing restoration efforts. These experiences of hands-on work and my continued education have increased my understanding and care for natural environments and given me tools to utilize in the field.
Taj Lalwani
Ecological Restoration Plan: County Line Preserve: A Treasure Worth Restoring and accompanying presentation
I am an alumnx at the Land Restoration School and an agroecologist in training. I created a restoration plan for County Line preserve in Ozaukee county, Wisconsin. I also have experience as an outdoor instructor and was the activity manager for the outdoor recreation program at Grinnell college. I care deeply about the nature and I hope my work can contribute to the earth’s health and well-being, as well as well-being and justice for human communities.
Ree Klumb
Ecological Restoration Plan: Caesar’s Park Restoration Plan
I'm a recent graduate from UW Madison double-majoring in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and Environmental Studies; I find I'm very interested in the way the atmosphere interacts with nature on the ground. I enjoy travel, rollerskating, and building self-sustaining aquariums and terrariums. I hope one day to work in conservation alongside a zoo, museum, or other educational establishment. I'd like to help maintain a healthy world for my one-year-old to grow up in, and educate her and myself about the ecosystems we're a part of.
2022
Land Restoration School Final Presentations
August 04, 2022
Elizabeth Metz, Emily Sautebin, Hanan Ali, Megan Hart, Ben Kielar, Martina Patterson, Andrew Umentum
Megan Hart
Ecological Restoration Plan: Ida Bay: Restoration Hidden in Plain Sight and accompanying presentation
University of Wisconsin - Madison, May 2023, Forest Science and Life Sciences Communication. Cream City Conservation alumni.
Fall 2022: Megan and fellow students Evan Peepo, Grace Harvey, Zach Downs, Jaxson Salmon, Nishan Mahdasian and Tien Kolodziej completed their University of Wisconsin-Madison Forest Science Capstone project: Forest Management Plan for Camp Wawbeek
As of August 2023: Megan Hart, Restoration Program Manager, Citizens For Conservation
Barrington, Illinois
Phone/Fax: (847) 382-SAVE (7283)
Hanan Ali
Ecological Restoration Plan: Continuation of Wildlife Corridors in the Big Creek Estuary at The Cove and accompanying presentation
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, December 2021; Environmental Science- Geoscience Emphasis| GIS Certification; Cream City Conservation alumni.
Bradley Technology and Trade - Environmental Science Instructor, Milwaukee
Martina (Mars) Patterson
Ecological Restoration Plan: Hopkins Hollow Land Restoration & Management Plan and accompanying presentation
Artist, Master Naturalist, Herbalist, Environmental Educator, and Land Steward. Guest faculty for 2023 Land Restoration School.
Recent works can be viewed on The Great Sauk State Trail, 5Points Art Gallery, and Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Recent restoration and conservation projects include: trail building, prairie restoration in the heart of urban spaces, transferring and planting Apple Trees from Sauk County – Maa Wákąčąk; Ho-Chunk Sacred Earth near Baraboo, WI into Havenwoods State Forest in Milwaukee, WI. To view more of her work and learn more about Nature please follow @jupiter_allen for art and @herbsnflowers.stemsnroots for all things Nature.
Elizabeth (Liz) Metz
Ecological Restoration Plan: Crossroads Main Campus – Succession in Progress and accompanying presentation
Recently graduated UW-Milwaukee in Conservation and Environmental Science. Wisconsin DNR State Natural Areas Volunteer. Certified wildland firefighter type 2 (FFT2).
Hello everyone! I am Elizabeth Metz, but most people know me as Liz. I was a cohort of the Land Restoration School (LRS) of 2022. The experience felt like a four-year environmental science degree packed into one summer with practical, field experience. I was able to explore new habitats and find connections to those that were already familiar to me. I learned that I might have more “know how” when it comes to restoration work and had my confidence boosted in the learning process. The interactions with my fellow cohorts made all the ups and downs of the experience worth it. I enjoyed good conversation and explored habitats and local areas with everyone. It is an experience I would be happy to have all over again, and I hope to visit LRS in future years.
Ben Kielar
Ecological Restoration Plan: Restoration Along the Ahnapee Trail: The Path to Ecological Health and accompanying presentation
Entering his final year at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI in Environmental Science and Recreational Leadership.
Emily Sautebin
Ecological Restoration Plan: Growing Up(hill): Celebrating Succession and accompanying presentation
My name is Emily Sautebin, and I'm a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. I'm majoring in Environmental Sciences and Geology and Geophysics, and I'm eager to explore these fascinating fields. I had a wonderful time diving into the science and practice of ecological restoration at the Land Restoration School. [LinkedIn]
Spring 2023: I recently completed and presented my mentored research project on the response of marine microfossils and their environments to an ancient global warming event (The fate of foraminifera during the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum).
Andrew Umentum
Ecological Restoration Plan: Reforesting a Door County Oldfield: An Experimental Approach to Land Restoration and accompanying presentation.
Andrew is now an ecological restoration practitioner in the Door County, Wisconsin area. He is also working to implement his ecological restoration plan (above) at Crossroads at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay. He’s also a map-maker extraordinaire.