LEP Conference
...............................
The Aldo Leopold
Foundation
P.O.Box 77
Baraboo, WI 53913
608.355.0279
608.356.7309 fax
mail@aldoleopold.org
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LEP National Workshop Detailed Schedule
Click here to download a printable file of the conference schedule (Adobe PDF format).
(click here to download Adobe Reader.)
Wednesday-Thursday, June 16th-17th: Optional pre-conference workshop day
Click here for information on pre-conference workshops.
THURS. 8:00-9:00 am & 12:30-1:00 pm: Conference Registration table open at Leopold Center
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Exploring the Outdoors with Aldo Leopold: Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s Outdoor Activities Guide Training (one day, Thursday June 17th from 9 am – 4 pm) CANCELLED
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Land Ethic Leaders Training (two day, Wednesday June 16th from 10:00am – 7:30pm, Thursday June 17th from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm) FULL
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Leopold Bench Building (half day- Thursday June 17th from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm)
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Pheasants Forever Activities Kits (half day- Thursday June 17th from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm)
Friday, June 18th
8:00 – 8:45 am: Registration table open at the Leopold Center
8:30 – 9:00 am: Welcome and Daily Announcements
9:00-9:45 Keynote Speaker: Scott Russell Sanders
Sanders was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1945. His father came from a family of cotton farmers in Mississippi, his mother from an immigrant doctor’s family in Chicago. He spent his early childhood in Tennessee and his school years in Ohio. He studied physics and English at Brown University, graduating in 1967. With the aid of a Marshall Scholarship, he pursued graduate work at the Cambridge University, where he completed his Ph.D. in English in 1971. From 1971 until his retirement in 2009, he taught at Indiana University, from 1995 onward as Distinguished Professor of English.
Among his more than twenty books are novels, collections of stories, and works of personal nonfiction, including Staying Put, Writing from the Center, and Hunting for Hope. His latest book is A Conservationist Manifesto, his vision of a shift from a culture of consumption to a culture of caretaking.
Sanders’ writing examines the human place in nature, the pursuit of social justice, the relation between culture and geography, and the search for a spiritual path. He and his wife, Ruth, a biochemist, have reared two children in their hometown of Bloomington, in the hardwood hill country of Indiana’s White River Valley.
FRIDAY MORNING WORKSHOP SESSIONS, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
1.Wild Wellness - Jeff Pritzl
Wellness has been recognized as valuable lifestyle education technique and has been incorporated into school curriculum through health and/or physical education courses and Wellness Fair events. Nature-based activities affect all aspects of wellness in a positive way. This program takes you through the 6 aspects of personal wellness and provides opportunities to discuss and demonstrate how an outdoor lifestyle provides connections to wellness. The audience will be inspired to seek out new ways to enhance their own wellness and develop a deeper appreciation for the activities they already enjoy.
2. A Cast Iron Connection - Luann Sewell Waters
Dutch oven cooking was a favorite of Leopold and his family. By teaching people how to cook this way, you connect them not only to Leopold's writings, but to the outdoors. This gives them an activity, but also the reward of great food, too! Demonstration of equipment set-up, preparation of a simple recipe, handout of Leopold food quotes. Signup required during conference registration. Limit 20.
3. A Sampler: Exploring the Outdoors with Aldo Leopold - Treva Breuch, Marc Hirrel, and Suzanne Hirrel (offered twice in our schedule so more people can have access to the program- the first session is here; a repeat is on Saturday afternoon.)
If you didn’t get a chance to attend the pre-conference workshop and you are interested in the new curriculum, here is a chance to test-drive the materials! The new curriculum materials are designed for use by teachers, interpreters, naturalists, park rangers, zoo educators, youth group leaders, and private citizens. By using these fun, hands-on critical thinking activities, participants will come to understand that students can learn about nature and conservation while developing what Leopold called a “land ethic,” an appreciation of and respect for the land. The presenters will “teach” several lessons by directly involving the participants in a variety of hands-on activities. Participants will have the opportunity to purchase a CD of the new curriculum and a copy of Leopold’s classic book, A Sand County Almanac, for $20. Participants should dress to be outside for part of the session.
FRIDAY LUNCH, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Meals are provided by Vintage Port Catering in Baraboo, with local and organic options taking center stage.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON CONCURRENT SESSIONS, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
1. The Aldo Leopold Centennial Celebration in New Mexico: A Case Study - Tony Anella and Dara Johnson
This presentation will share lessons learned from the recently concluded Aldo Leopold Centennial Celebration 2009 in New Mexico, and provide examples of effective ways to raise the cultural awareness of Aldo Leopold and engage your community in an active conversation about land ethics. Examples from the year-long Celebration to be discussed include: (1) the Cultural Conversation at the National Hispanic Cultural Center; (2) planting trees in the Aldo Leopold Forest along the banks of the Rio Grande in Albuquerque; (3) the Leopold Legacy Film Series; (4) the Aldo Leopold Film Competition; (5) the Aldo Leopold Writing Contest.
2. Volunteer Programs 101 - Michael Hoke
This presentation is designed to allow both the novice environmental educator and the well-seasoned professional to more effectively manage a volunteer program to further their goals in environmental education. In this presentation, participants will learn how volunteers can become valuable components of community outreach programs, provide needed resources for a variety of projects, engage the community in environmental education, provide unique methods to augment fund raising, and develop long term resilience for environmental education in a community. Recruitment, motivation and training of volunteers will be discussed. A final discussion on how to effectively lose volunteers will summarize much of what is discussed in the program. Hand-outs will include a volunteer handbook and job description developed over 15 years of working with volunteers.
3. M.O.R.E. Nature: A Community Movement - Christine Jacobsen
The Metro Omaha Resources for Exploring (M.O.R.E) Nature collaborative started two years ago. Since that time we have built a strong steering committee and task force groups that have been very active in the community. Come learn how to get your community excited about nature play. You'll walk away with ideas on how to start a community group, and some new ideas for community programming.
SNACK BREAK, 2:00 – 2:15 pm
SPECIAL PROGRAM, 2:15pm – 4:15 pm
Option 1: Sneak Preview of the film Green Fire: the Life and Legacy of Aldo Leopold - Curt Meine
The Aldo Leopold Foundation is working with US Forest Service filmmakers Steve Dunsky, Ann Dunsky, and Dave Steinke to produce a full-length documentary film: Green Fire: The Life and Legacy of Aldo Leopold. Currently in production, the high-definition film is scheduled to be completed later this year and then released on public television sometime in 2011. The film will explore Aldo Leopold's life in the context of American conservation and environmental history, while also illustrating how Leopold's legacy lives on today in the work of people and organizations across the nation and around the world. Additional film segments and teaching tools will build on the Green Fire film, with the aim of encouraging educators and community leaders across the nation to screen the film and organize discussions about critical conservation and environmental issues in their own communities today.
Leopold biographer and conservation biologist Dr. Curt Meine will serve as the film's on-screen guide, and will give a short talk before screening the film for conferees. Curt will share behind-the-scenes stories from the production process, then screen the film preview and selected scenes. Following the screening, he and the filmmakers will be gathering feedback and thoughts from the audience. The film will continue going through edits and post-production after the conference, so you will be sharing very valuable feedback! For participants that attended the Land Ethic Leaders training as a pre-conference workshop option and have already seen the film, or for participants that would rather get outside, Aldo Leopold Foundation Ecologist Steve Swenson will lead a hike on the Leopold Memorial Reserve in this time slot.
Option 2: Guided hike with Steve Swenson - Leopold Memorial Reserve Ecology and Land Management (limit 20)
Why should we care for land? What is the Aldo Leopold Foundation doing about it? Join staff ecologist Steve Swenson for a discussion and exploration in the field of land stewardship, land health, the Important Bird Area (IBA), adaptive management and conservation partnerships in the area. Steve has been working for the foundation since 1999 and is responsible for the science and stewardship work on foundation property and in partnership with private landowners. Steve’s work builds on the critical connection between people and land – the land ethic. He received his Bachelor’s degree (1995) in environmental science and biology from the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay and a Master’s degree (1999) in plant ecology from The Ohio State University.
4:15 - 5:15 pm: Reflection Time at the Shack - optional
FRIDAY EVENING BANQUET
6:00 pm: Clarion Hotel
A fun and informal evening is planned at the Clarion Hotel in Baraboo. Buffet dinner, silent auction, raffles and lots of time to visit and relax. Bring an auction item from your region – all proceeds will support community project grants. Dress is casual.
Wil and Sarah Reding will share an inspirational power point sharing stories and images from their re-walking of John Muir's 1000 Mile Walk to the Gulf and how it has worked to renew their relationship to the natural world.
Saturday, June 19th
8:00 – 8:45 am: Registration table open at the Leopold Center
8:30 – 9:00 am: Welcome and Daily Announcements
9:00 – 9:45 am: Keynote Speaker: Marybeth Lorbiecki
LEP and Leopold's "Community-Instinct-in-the-making"
Leopold once defined the development of the "ecological conscience" as a kind of "community-instinct-in-the-making". Because he saw humans as part of nature, his work on building harmony with the natural world extended to many different segments of society, He once said "to change the idea of what land is for is to change the idea of what anything if for." This kind of radical connectivity is infusing the work of conservationists today and offering opportunities for LEP to make wider connections in all communities."
Marybeth Lorbiecki has always loved history and topics that deal with how people interact with each other and with the natural world. With an M.A. in English and post graduate studies, she has seriously studied philosophy, theology, history, journalism, Dakota (Sioux) culture, multiculturalism, ecology, and international development.
She lived for a year in Colchester, Great Britain, in an international residence hall with thirteen other graduate women in varied professional fields from countries around the world (including South Africa, Jordan, India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Singapore, Mauritius, Greece, Morocco, and China). This allowed her to have intense, high level, friendly conversations over “tea” about religion, politics, government, racism, history, culture, environment, etc. These themes and passions come out in her works.
Marybeth grew up in St. Cloud, Minnesota, went to the College of St. Catherine and later Mankato State University and eventually the University of Essex as an International Rotarian Scholar. She wrote a biography of Aldo Leopold for younger readers called Fierce Green Fire, and has written many other delightful books for people of all ages.
SATURDAY MORNING CONCURRENT SESSIONS, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
1. Conservation Among the Concrete - Brian Russart
This presentation is about the creative use of partnerships and how they have been developed to engage Wisconsin's largest community through the science and beauty of restoration ecology. In just two short years this newly reborn Natural Areas Program has developed 46 community partnerships to assist with the management of the Milwaukee County Park's 10,000 acres of natural areas and agricultural lands. These are resources that have been historically molded by the influences of a great lake, Wisconsin's ecological tension zone, and over 150 years of European settlement. This is a presentation on how to develop a successful restoration program and to engage a community for a greater good.
2. Involving Youth-Let ’Em Lead - Cheryl Riley
The best advocates for getting youth outdoors may be youth themselves. Discover ways of tapping into youthful resources and involving youth in your community. Success stories will be told and ideas shared.
3. Connecting Communities to Rivers - Verne Huser
This session will look at rivers as the dynamic source of life that they are, play river detective by walking along a riparian habitat, observing what's there, and determining why it's there--and what meaning it has to the community.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Pre-Lunch Speaker Greg Walsh
Greg Walsh is an Organic Valley farmer and current co-owner of Turkey Ridge Apple Farm in Gays Mills, Wisconsin. Greg will highlight the importance of local and organic foods.
SATURDAY LUNCH, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Meals are provided by Vintage Port Catering in Baraboo, with local and organic options taking center stage.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON WORKSHOP SESSIONS, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
1. What is a Weed? - Ashley Pryor
This presentation will first present and elaborate upon some of the key passages in Leopold's writing that concerns the importance of native plants for promoting land health, and will talk about exercises that have already used in classrooms to familiarize students with the natural history of Northwest Ohio through the native plants of the region. The second half of the presentation will be dedicated to a "nuts and bolts" discussion of ways of establishing a native plant garden in your community or school grounds and will be run more like a workshop than a lecture.
2. Leopold for Special Needs - Teri Rogoway
In this workshop we will explore various Leopold Education Project activities that have been adapted for various special needs. These special needs may include Down Syndrome, Attention-Deficit Disorder, Autism, Mobility Impaired, Sight Impaired and Hearing Impaired. This workshop will be a hands-on experience accompanies by a presentation.
3. A Sampler: Exploring the Outdoors with Aldo Leopold - Treva Breuch, Marc Hirrel, and Suzanne Hirrel
If you didn’t get a chance to attend the pre-conference workshop and you are interested in the new curriculum, here is a chance to test-drive the materials! The new curriculum materials are designed for use by teachers, interpreters, naturalists, park rangers, zoo educators, youth group leaders, and private citizens. By using these fun, hands-on critical thinking activities, participants will come to understand that students can learn about nature and conservation while developing what Leopold called a “land ethic,” an appreciation of and respect for the land. The presenters will “teach” several lessons by directly involving the participants in a variety of hands-on activities. Participants will have the opportunity to purchase a CD of the new curriculum and a copy of Leopold’s classic book, A Sand County Almanac, for $20. Participants should dress to be outside for part of the session.
SNACK BREAK, 2:30 – 2:45 pm
SATURDAY AFTERNOON CONCURRENT SESSIONS, 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm
1. GLADE: Green Leadership Academy for Diverse Ecosystems - Celeste Prussia
The GLADE program enlisted its first crew in 2009 and will engage its second slate of enrollees in summer 2010. High school students compete for the 16 positions that offer a week-long residential program of conservation biology, habitat restoration, and leadership skills building. They meet conservation and scientific staff from agencies and universities in the field while experiencing various ecosystems of the southwestern Missouri Ozarks. The graduates of GLADE return to their communities to lead a conservation project of their choosing supported by small grants that allow for the purchase of supplies needed to complete the project. The program curriculum and mechanics will be shared in this presentation.
2. Expanding Aldo Leopold's Legacy beyond the US: A Case Study for the Restoration of Damaged Lands in Turkey for Outdoor Education - Ufuk Ozdag
This presentation will focus on creating place-attachment through Leopold's essays. Hear the story of two damaged areas in Turkey: the Amik watershed in Southern Turkey and the Bosphorus ecosystem. We will focus on the drainage of Lake Amik and its surrounding wetlands in the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, an area that was once a key feeding station of migratory birds in the African-Eurasian flyway as well as the threatened dolphins in the Turkish Straits System. We’ll also discuss the ways in which some of Leopold's crucial writings can foster moral action and eventual policy changes for their future restoration. Above all, the presentation will be a plea for holding LEP conferences worldwide in the near future, to enhance intelligent land use and/or ecological restorations of bioregions whose interconnected systems have long been disrupted, across the globe.
3. No Child Left Indoors: A Community Approach - David Grass and Greg Kielback
This session will show how No Child Left Indoors begins with kindergarten students and goes through conservation camp which is offered to young people in high school who are looking towards a career in conservation. There will be a timeline of how we got started and successes as well as some roadblocks. We will share how we developed cooperative activities with a number of conservation groups in the community. Our program is extremely diversified, from hunter safety and shooting sports to inner city children realizing at 1st grade there are not bears at the outdoor center that will eat you. We will share activity ideas, recruitment tools, volunteer training as well as various forms to cover liability. One of the best things about linking with a Pheasants Forever group beside a volunteer base is free liability insurance. We will leave time for any questions at the end of the presentation.
CLOSING SPEAKER, 3:45– 4:15 pm
History Detectives Search for “Green Fire” - Susan Flader
In his famous essay “Thinking Like A Mountain,” Aldo Leopold tells of shooting a wolf and watching the “green fire” die in her eyes. The incident purportedly happened early in his Forest Service career, somewhere in the wild mountains of Arizona or New Mexico, and the essay has captured the imaginations of readers everywhere. But, despite the diligence of several historians, in the years since Leopold’s death no one was able to uncover the exact location where this shooting had occurred or, indeed, whether it had happened at all. Last winter, new evidence came to light that, with extensive research and investigation allowed a team of history detectives to finally pinpoint where and when Aldo Leopold shot his wolf. Dr. Susan Flader will take us on the journey of uncovering the Green Fire mystery.
CLOSING CELEBRATION, 5:15pm
Boat Cruise and Dinner in the Beautiful Wisconsin Dells
The closing event of the conference will be an evening boat trip up one of the most scenic stretches of the Wisconsin River. See the true Wisconsin Dells—the rock formations that first made the town famous—and learn about its fascinating geologic history. We’ll take a cruise up to a secluded pavilion inside Cold Water Canyon where we will enjoy the evening with a private catered dinner, cocktails, and optional walks along the surrounding trails to explore the fascinating canyon. This is a trip you won’t want to miss, so we hope you’ll stick around and join us for a truly fitting finale to the conference.
Safe Travels to All and Thank You for Sharing your Land Ethic and Love of the Outdoors with Us! All the Best for and exciting year ahead connecting people and nature through Leopold’s Legacy. See you next year!