Remnant and restored natural areas such as woodlands, prairies, and wetlands act as reservoirs for plant, animal, and insect diversity. This class will visit a variety of managed ecosystems in the Chicago area and discuss current conservation challenges and strategies. Participants in this class at The Morton Arboretum will learn how site managers plan for restoring and managing these critical habitats.
This program includes self-paced online components and in-person sessions.
Instructors: Dave Hodge, environmental scientist and owner, Turning Leaf Conservation; Gregory Rajsky, ecologist and owner, True Nature Consulting
Continuing education: This class fulfills a requirement for the Natural Areas Conservation Training (N-ACT) Program.
Age: 18 and older
Course number: W400
Instructor
Dave Hodge, environmental scientist and owner, Turning Leaf Conservation
David Hodge’s love of wild things started with his upbringing in the Piney Woods of East Texas. His interest in nature eventually led to a BS in wildlife fishery science from Texas A&M University and a master’s in environmental science from Indiana University. He moved to the Chicago area and worked in the restoration field at St. Charles Park District, McHenry County Conservation District, and The Nature Conservancy. Since 2002 he has run his own company, Turning Leaf Conservation, doing ecological restoration throughout the Chicago area.
What to Know
This program includes an online component you will complete on your own, and scheduled in-person sessions that meet at regional natural areas.
Online Materials
Please provide a unique email address for each registrant at registration. Registrants will receive an email with instructions on how to access Treelearning, the Arboretum’s online learning portal.
Access begins at noon on the class start date, and lasts for 60 days.
Complete self-paced activities, such as e-learning modules, reading material, short videos, interactive activities, and quizzes to check your understanding. The self-paced activities do not need to be completed in one sitting. Your instructor will not be online with you.
Complete the online component before the in-person session. The course should take about 90 minutes.
In-Person Session
The in-person sessions of this program meet outdoors. Check the forecast and dress for the weather.
Driving directions for the in-person sessions will be provided with your online class materials and by email.
Please bring water, a snack, and materials for taking notes outdoors. Sunscreen and insect repellant may be useful.
Be prepared to walk more than a mile over uneven terrain, including trails and hills. Please wear long pants and sturdy shoes with closed toes.
Continuing Education
This class fulfills a requirement for the Natural Areas Conservation Training (N-ACT) Program.
Program Schedule
This program includes self-paced online components and an in-person session.
Section B
Dave Hodge
Wednesday, October 30, 2024, noon. Access self-paced online components.
Saturday, November 9, 2024, 9:00 a.m. to noon. Attend on-site session.
Gateway to Tree Science (Parking Lot 8), East Side, The Morton Arboretum
Saturday, November 16, 2024, 9:00 a.m. to noon: Attend off-site session.
