Adult Education Classes

Morning keynote speaker Peter Forbes
is a farmer and conservationist, and an artist of imagery, written word, and carved wood.

Read more about Peter Forbes here.

Afternoon keynote speaker John Francis, Ph.D., founded Planetwalk in 1982 when he began his walking and sailing pilgrimage around the world. To date, Dr. Francis has walked across the U.S., sailed and walked through the Caribbean, and walked in South America from Venezuela to Argentina; he has also walked in in Cuba. Currently, he is retracing his steps from Cape May, New Jersey, to Point Reyes, California.

Chicago Regional Forum on Ethics and Sustainability
Lifeways and Greenways:
Social and Ecological Connectivity

A Janet Meakin Poor Research Symposium

Friday, October 28, 2011
9 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Registration fee: $30 lunch option/$10 no-lunch option

Trolley schedule for transportation to and from Metra stations

Register for full program
Register for no lunch option

To register by phone, call (847) 835-8261

The Center for Humans and Nature and the Chicago Botanic Garden present this forum for the Chicago region that continues to focus on the ethical dimensions of conservation issues.

The second of a minimum three-year initiative, this forum is designed for members, leaders, and volunteers in conservation-minded organizations like Chicago Wilderness. Additionally, members of the public and academics/practitioners with a focus on ethical issues will enjoy engaging with like-minded peers with the same goal of increasing sustainable impacts on the environment.

Scholarships

A limited number of student scholarships for this symposium will be provided by the Center for Humans and Nature. Contact Beth Pinargote, manager of symposia and special programs at the Chicago Botanic Garden, at (847) 835-8278 for more information.

Symposium Location

The symposium will be held in the Alsdorf Auditorium of the Regenstein Center at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, IL. Directions to the Garden can be found here.

Lodging

The Regenstein School of the Chicago Botanic Garden recommends the Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel for accommodations. Call (847) 498-6500 and ask for the "JMP Symposium" rate to receive a special price of $89 room/night including breakfast.

Transportation

If you prefer to take public transporation to the event, the Chicago Botanic Garden is offering free trolley service pick-up and drop-off for all forum attendees at the Glencoe and Lake Cook stops. Pick-up and drop-off times will be posted as the event draws near.

8 – 9 a.m.

Registration

9 a.m.

Welcoming remarks and introductions

Greg Mueller, Ph.D., Vice President of Science and Academic Programs,
Chicago Botanic Garden

9:05 a.m.

Awards Presentation
Hutchinson Medal presented to George B. Rabb, Ph.D.
Chicago Horticultural Society Medal presented to Bob and Charlene Shaw

9:20 a.m.

Ethics and Sustainability 101
Gavin Van Horn, Ph.D., Director of Midwest Cultures of Conservation, and Curt Meine, Ph.D., Director of Conservation Biology and History, Center for Humans and Nature

9:40 a.m.

Musical Interlude
The Bullfrogs Community Choir will treat us to song selections throughout the day.

9:45 – 10:30 a.m.

Morning Keynote Address

Peter Forbes, co-founder of the Center for Whole Communities

10:30 – 11 a.m.

Stretch break and interactive poster presentations

11 a.m. – Noon

The Power of Local Stories

Panelists will share their stories, which highlight the ethical reasons for why they do what they do, and the ways in which they have become more deeply connected to local cultures and landscapes through their work.

Sherry Williams, President and CEO, Bronzeville Historical Society

Zach Taylor, Greencorps Calumet

Rebecca Tonietto, graduate researcher on the effects of prairie restoration on native bee communities, Chicago Botanic Garden

Terra Brockman, founder of The Land Connection

Noon – 1 p.m.

Lunch

1 – 1:30 p.m.

Inspirational Reading & Interactive Poster Sessions

Tom Montgomery Fate, professor of English at the College of DuPage, will offer readings from and discussion of his memoir, Cabin Fever: A Suburban Father’s Search for the Wild.

1:30 – 2:20 p.m.

Ethical Ecologies: Connecting Greenways to Lifeways

Regional panelists will be asked to speak about why they are doing their work, what the greatest impediments are to landscape connectivity, and how to best communicate the ethical values of conservation work. Regional examples of landscape connectivity can be placed within the broader context of each presenter's own work.

John Rogner, Assistant Director, Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Ed Collins, Natural Resource Manager, McHenry County Conservation District

Sophie Twichell, Friends of Ryerson Woods, Lake County

2:20 – 2:30 p.m.

Stretch break

2:30 – 3 p.m.

Afternoon Keynote Address

John Francis, founder of Planetwalk and a United Nations Environmental Program Goodwill Ambassador

3 – 3:15 p.m.

Closing remarks

Optional Walking Tour — End your day with a walking tour led by knowledgeable Garden staff of some key conservation areas at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Tour may include the Green Roof Garden of the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center, the Dixon Prairie, or the Native Plant Garden, depending on group size and weather.