Announcing guest faculty
The Land Restoration School at Crossroads at Big Creek is pleased to announce our guest faculty for the 2022 inaugural term. We are inspired that these faculty members care deeply about both education and ecology. We believe every session will challenge our restorationists/students as they form strong connections between the natural science topics and the important work in front of them.
Our faculty, led by our curriculum coordinator Chris Young, has described the framework of learning outcomes for the LRS as follows. After completing this eight-week program, participants will be able to:
Clearly articulate the relevance of ecological restoration, its connection with people, and its role in a just society.
Meaningfully define the process of ecological restoration and articulate the core principles of the field.
Appropriately describe how ecological restoration is influenced and guided by multiple interacting disciplines of the natural sciences, together.
Effectively express an awareness of the multiple ways that land restoration emerges at the intersection of ecological theory and place-based examples of practice.
Meaningfully integrate concepts from the science of ecology, the practice of restoration, and other ways of knowing, with an awareness of how these systems range from simple to complex.
Effectively practice the preparation of a restoration plan, acknowledging scientific, ecological, and practical constraints.
Effectively practice various field methods for site assessment and for restoration management.
Move forward in their lives, transformed and equipped with professional development and team-building skills, along with knowledge enabling an entrepreneurial career in ecological restoration and a passion to continue on a lifelong journey of change.
Faculty engagements with the public will happen during the following talks:
Wednesday May 4, 6:30 pm “Where Restoration Begins” by Chris Young
Thursday June 23, 6:30 pm "How does the rebuilding of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris compare to ‘restoring’ the ecology of a place?” by Alfonso Morales
Tuesday July 12, 6:30 pm “Wisconsin’s Geoheritage” by Ken Bradbury
Wednesday July 20, 6:30 pm “A Developing Oak Savanna Restoration” by Karen Stahlheber
Wednesday July 27, 6:30 pm “Ecology of Wisconsin’s Orchids” by Jason Miller
— and through yet-to-be-determined public drop-in opportunities. Please consult our calendar for ongoing updates.
It is with excitement and commitment that we take these initial steps.
Nancy Aten and Dan Collins
Founding Directors
Land Restoration School at Crossroads at Big Creek