Our webinar is now available online! Click here to watch the recording.

About the webinar: 

A panel of experts and practitioners in the field of Ecological Restoration will discuss the planning and management of midwestern ecosystems (woodlands, savannas, prairies and wetlands) in light of the reality of climate change. The panelist  will give a short presentations for the different ecosystems and then we will take both questions and comments from the audience to enhance the discussion.

Featuring:

Mitch Lettow–Stewardship Director at the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (SWMLC). 

Mitch coordinates the care and restoration of over 4,000 acres of nature preserves. With a background in Ornithology, Botany, and Entomology, the field of restoration ecology was a perfect way to blend his interests into an optimistic and active field where he and his community could help to protect biodiversity and restore ecological health back to the landscape. Southwest Michigan is positioned at the transition of northern and southern systems, as well as eastern and mid-western systems, with a highly diverse set of species and natural communities to reflect this intersection. The breadth of natural communities and nature preserves that SWMLC protects and restores demonstrates this diversity, and so Mitch has had the privilege to work on a variety of restoration projects over his 10 years with the conservancy. Mitch’s favorite color is chlorophyl.

Dr. Marissa Ahlering, PhD—Science Director Minnesota/North Dakota/South Dakota, The Nature Conservancy.   

Dr. Ahlering received her Ph.D. from the University of Missouri studying grassland birds in the mixed grass prairies of North Dakota and Saskatchewan. After completing this work, she spent 3 years working with a non-profit organization in Kenya, the University of Missouri, and the Smithsonian studying the coexistence of the Maasai people and elephants. In 2010 she returned to the northern Great Plains and is currently the Lead Scientist for The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Her work with TNC focuses on conservation and management of natural ecosystems and the benefits they provide to people and includes issues such as grassland reconstruction, climate adaptation, and sustainable grazing.

Dr. Dennis Albert, PhD—Research Faculty, Oregon State University.

Dr. Albert’s research has focused on wetland restoration and Oregon’s native plants.  He has current research projects focused on Great-Lakes-wide coastal wetlands inventories, long-term Great Lakes wetland vegetation, water level, and sediment dynamics, and Oregon’s playa lake wetlands.   In addition, he conducts research and has taught summer field courses in Forest Ecology and Great Lakes coastal wetlands at the University of Michigan’s Biological Station in northern Michigan. He has also provided wetland training for federal and state (Michigan) biologists and agency staff.  Dr. Albert wrote the Ecological Overview of the Flora of Oregon, as well as books on Michigan’s original vegetation, plant communities, coastal wetlands, sand dunes, and ecoregions. While an ecologist at Michigan’ Heritage Program in the 1990s, he proposed the Nature Conservancy’s Northern Lake Huron Bioreserve, and his biological surveys of northern Michigan resulted in over 30 miles of Great Lakes shoreline acquisition for natural areas and addition to state of MI ownership.

Brian Majka. CERP—Moderator, Senior Restoration Ecologist, GEI Consultants. 

Brian is the Michigan representative on the board of directors for the Midwest-Great Lakes Chapter of SER. He has over 20 years of experience in the design and implementation of ecological restoration projects throughout the Great Lakes, including wetland restoration, natural shoreline engineering, native planting, and invasive species management. Brian specializes in the integration of ecology and engineering, combining physical, ecological, and social factors into projects that meet habitat, water quality, and anthropogenic goals. He co-authored the Michigan Low Impact Development Manual and Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership Certified Natural Shoreline Professional program and actively presents on ecological restoration related topics throughout the Midwest.