Field Museum Lecture Series begins March 19 at Brushwood Center
Skip the long drive to Chicago and head to Brushwood Center to learn about The Field Museum's latest environmental research and field work!
Brushwood Center and The Field Museum's Keller Science Action Center are partnering to host a fascinating series of talks by Field Museum educators, environmental scientists, and anthropologists.
Alison Paul, the Keller Center's Youth Conservation Manager, is opening the 2017 Field Lecture Series discussing its extensive and successful efforts connecting thousands of youth to nature throughout the Chicago region!
It will be 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 19, at the Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, 21850 N. Riverwoods Road in Riverwoods. Tickets are $7 or $5 for members. For tickets, visit www.brushwoodcenter.org.
Childhood has moved indoors. The Kaiser Family Foundation has found that young people ages 8-18 spend an average of more than seven hours a day on screen media and very little time outdoors. With this increase in indoor and screen time has come a rise in childhood obesity and other health concerns, in addition to a lack of a personal connection to nature. At the same time, we are facing tough social and ecological issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental injustices. In order to solve these issues, there needs to be a strong next generation of advocates, critical thinkers and passionate problem solvers to help navigate these challenges.
This is why The Field Museum and many other Chicago Wilderness partners are building a strong and diverse next generation of conservation leaders with a strong sense of ownership and connection to nature by linking them to Chicago's great natural area assets. Come learn about how and why childhood has moved indoors and the fun and exciting ways that The Field Museum and other Lake County partners are helping counter act this trend. Together we can build a strong and diverse next generation of conservation leaders in Chicago.
Alison Paul is an environmental educator, wilderness/outdoor enthusiast, and The Field Museum's Youth Conservation Action Manager. Alison has more than a decade of experience working in formal and informal educational settings from Colombia to Chicago in order to support the next generation of knowledgeable, passionate, and engaged environmental leaders. She has a master's degree in social and cultural foundations in education from DePaul University and a bachelor's degree in environmental science from Loyola University Chicago and is a National Fellow of the Environmental Leadership Program. Join her for an afternoon of learning why it's so important for kids (and adults) to spend time outdoors and why Chicago is one of the best places to do so.
The lecture series will continue on June 25, with "Why Urban Nature Matters" with Abigail Derby Lewis, on Sept. 17 with "Tropical Fish" with Lesley DeSouza, and on Nov. 5, with "Quality of Life planning for conservation in Chicago" with Jacob Campbell.
Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Members receive perks such as discounts on program fees, a subscription to the Ryerson Almanac, and invitations to special member only events for one year from the date of their donation. Individual membership is $35 or $50 for family membership.