Keynote Speaker, Emily Stone
Naturalist/Education Director, Cable Natural History Museum
“Finding the Stories in Nature“
Do you love finding adventure and intrigue in strange places? Join naturalist and author Emily Stone to be transported across the moat into a magical world where nature is better than fiction. By using science to tell stories, Emily wields a magic that makes the whole world feel more alive.
Micah Kloppenburg
WI Pollinator Habitat Specialist, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
“Parasitic Harmonies: Plants and Pollinators“
The natural world is a veritable web of connections and interactions with some organisms sometimes benefiting at the expense of another. Cherry picking a few examples, well look at a few parasitic plants and pollinators whose lifestyle could be interpreted, anthropomorphically, as an act of helpful balance or as an act of self-serving sabotage.
Dawn Moneyhan, S.C.
Enrolled Tribal Citizen of The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Founder & Chief Clergy at The Kwewag Indigenous Culture Church (The KICC)
“We Are All Connected – The Secrets of Native American Cultures“
For hundreds of years everything about Native Americans was forced into secrecy to survive. The removal of indigenous stewardship practices has contributed greatly to the climate crisis. Dawn is on a mission to share the secrets of Native American indigenous cultures that are the foundation for environmental stewardship so the world can reconnect and work together to help save our struggling planet.
Bridie Fanning
First graduate of the Wild Ones Native Plant Certification Program
“Phoenix from the Ashes”
Explore the incredible revival of the North Shore of Bass Bay Lake, rising like a phoenix from decades of neglect and damage by the emerald ash borer. Once a paradise for the Potawatomi people, this area succumbed to invasive plants. She will share her top ten restoration lessons applicable to various projects, covering wetlands, prairies, sedge meadows, woodlands, and bur oak savannas.
Paul Van Auken
Professor, Department of Sociology & Public Administration, Environmental Studies
“Urban Ecology Oshkosh: A New, Collaborative Initiative“
The mission of Urban Ecology Center (UEC) is to connect people in cities to nature and each other. Paul will share our experiences and plans for Urban Ecology Oshkosh, a new entity for environmental education being created based upon the Urban Ecology Center model.
Randy Powers
Restoration Ecology Expert and Founder and Owner of Prairie Future Seed Company
“Ethnobotany of Native Americans“
We will explore the relationship between Native Americans and the environment. We will take a look at which plants were used for building materials (fibers and cordage), food and beverage sources, medicinal purposes, and dyes. We will also discuss poisonous plants you should watch out for. Lastly, we will discuss the “Three Sisters of Agriculture,” the many uses of sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata), and take a look at what the Mitchell Park Domes looked like 223 years ago.