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 two in-person sessions.
Instructor: Gregory Rajsky, ecologist and owner, True Nature Consulting
Continuing Education: This class fulfills a requirement for the Natural Areas Conservation Training (N-ACT) Program. Learn more about N-ACT.
Age: 16 and older
Course number: W400
Instructor
Gregory Rajsky, ecologist and owner, True Nature Consulting
Greg Rajsky completed the Naturalist Certificate Program through The Morton Arboretum in 1996 and has been teaching courses here ever since. He has been engaged in restoration and management projects across Northern Illinois, southeastern Wisconsin, and, more recently, on the Ozark Plateau in Arkansas’ White River Hills ecoregion. He served as naturalist and educator at Severson Dells Nature Center in Rockford and as executive director of the Kettle Moraine Land Trust in Wisconsin. In 2013 he established True Nature Consulting to aid landowners in understanding and managing their natural areas. An avid field botanist, he enjoys introducing people to the charms of our native flora.
What to Know
This program includes both self-paced online learning and in person sessions that meet at regional natural areas.
To access the self-paced online materials, you will log into TreeLearning, the Arboretum’s online learning portal. Instructions for accessing TreeLearning will be sent to registrants by email from treelearning@mortonarb.org following registration. You have access to the course for 60 days and can complete the materials anytime.
Complete the self-paced e-learning modules with reading material, short videos, interactive activities, and quizzes to check your understanding.
The course will take approximately 90 minutes. The course does not need to be completed in one sitting. Your instructor will not be online with you.
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 sturdy shoes with closed toes and long pants.
This program includes both self-paced online learning and in person sessions that meet at regional natural areas.
Program Schedule
This program includes both self-paced online learning and in person sessions that meet at regional natural areas.
Thursday, September 12, 2024, noon. Self–paced online materials are available.
Online, TreeLearning
Saturday, September 21, 2024, 9:00 a.m. to noon
Attend off-site session.
Sunday, September 22, 2024, 9:00 a.m. to noon
Attend off-site session.
