VSN Scholarships Available for The Morton Arboretum’s Fall 2020 N-Act Courses
The Nature Conservancy is excited to announce that the Volunteer Stewardship Network (VSN), with funding from the Oberweiler Foundation, is offering another round of scholarships through The Morton Arboretum’s Natural Areas Conservation Training (N-Act) program to volunteers engaged in natural areas restoration in Illinois! Volunteers need not live in close proximity to the Arboretum because 11 out of 12 courses are available online.
Eligibility and Requirements
-Volunteers should engage in natural areas restoration and management on a regular basis (i.e., be established volunteers) and work with public agencies, such as Forest Preserve Districts, municipalities, NGOs, and community-based organizations.
-Volunteers must answer all questions on the online registration form.
-We ask that volunteers register for courses that they know with certainty they will be able to attend.
-Registrations must be received by the closing dates listed under each course name. Please avoid registering for courses past the registration date.
-At this time, volunteers may register for two courses. If more than two courses are selected, volunteers will be registered for the first two courses they chose.
-Volunteers must contact Brooke Thurau at brooke.thurau@tnc.org as soon as possible to cancel their registration. However, we encourage volunteers to not sign-up for courses unless they are certain they can attend.
-If volunteers do not attend a course they register for and don’t let us know in advance, they are taking space and resources from another volunteer.
Thank you for your cooperation!
Additional Information
-Fall 2020 courses are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
-Please allow at least 5-7 business days to receive official confirmation from The Morton Arboretum.
-Courses are available until funding is exhausted.
-Please contact Brooke Thurau at brooke.thurau@tnc.org if you are unsure if you qualify for scholarships or if you have any questions.
We hope your volunteers enjoy their learning experience! Please stay tuned for other opportunities!
Available Courses
Botanical Names Demystified (Online)
Schedule and location
Section C: Thursday, October 15, 2020, 12:00 p.m. central time.
Register by October 8, 2020.
Section D: Thursday, November 19, 2020, 12:00 p.m. central time.
Register by November 12, 2020.
Section E: Thursday, December 17, 2020, 12:00 p.m. central time.
Register by December 10, 2020.
Course description
Learn to call plants by their botanical names in this self-guided online class. In this course, you will:
learn the in’s and out’s of the scientific naming of plants, understand why these naming conventions are useful and important, get tips and tricks for pronunciation, and
learn botanical names for 40 common plant species that are native to Illinois.
Course number: N235
Course details
Notes:
- This class is held entirely online.
- The online materials will take approximately 90 minutes to complete.
- Registration closes five hours before the scheduled course start time.
- Participants will have access to the online materials for 60 days after the course start date.
- Limit 50
Requirements:
- Participants must have access to the internet and know how to use a web browser (ex: Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer)
- Participants must know how to send and receive email.
- A unique email address for each participant is required at registration.
Basic Plant ID (Online)
Section C: Thursday, October 15, 2020, 12:00 p.m. central time.
Register by October 8, 2020.
Section D: Thursday, November 19, 2020, 12:00 p.m. central time.
Register by November 12, 2020.
Section E: Thursday, December 17, 2020, 12:00 p.m. central time.
Register by December 10, 2020.
Course Description:
Get the botany basics you need to identify plants in this online, self-paced class. Whether you are a natural resources volunteer or specialist, gardener, naturalist, or artist this class provides the fundamentals you need to get started.
From the comfort of your home or office, use self-paced online learning modules to learn about plant identification. Slides narrated by an Arboretum plant expert and interactive, no-pressure quizzes will help you learn the vocabulary to name plants and describe their structures and life histories.
Course Details:
Notes:
- This class is held entirely online.
- The online materials will take approximately 90 minutes to complete.
- Participants will have access to the online materials for 60 days after the course start date.
- Registration closes five hours before online materials are released. Limit 50
Requirements:
- Participants must have access to the internet and know how to use a web browser (ex: Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer)
- Participants must know how to send and receive email.
- A unique email address for each participant is required at registration.
Continuing education: This class fulfills a requirement of the Natural Areas Conservation Training (N-ACT) Program. (Learn more about N-ACT.)
Basic Tree ID (Online)
- Section D: Thursday, October 15, 2020, 12:00 p.m. central time.
Register by October 8, 2020. - Section E: Thursday, November 19, 2020, 12:00 p.m. central time.
Register by November 12, 2020. - Section F: Thursday, December 17, 2020, 12:00 p.m. central time.
Register by December 10, 2020.
Course Description:
Learn to identify the common trees you see in local preserves or in your neighborhood in this self-guided online class from The Morton Arboretum. In this course, you will use characteristics such as leaves, bark, branches, flowers, and fruit to ID a tree. Learn to use keys and field guides. See and understand your natural surroundings in a new way, from the comfort of your home or office.
Course number: N143
Course details
Notes:
- This class is held entirely online.
- The online materials will take approximately 90 minutes to complete.
- Registration closes at five hours before the scheduled course start time.
- Participants will have access to the online materials for 60 days after the course start date.
- Limit 50
Requirements:
Participants must have access to the internet and know how to use a web browser (ex: Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer)
Participants must know how to send and receive email.
A unique email address for each participant is required at registration.
Following the Changing Fall Foliage
Friday, October 16, 2020, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Register by October 15, 2020, by 9:00 a.m. (CDT)
Course Description:
Learn how community scientists are helping forecast changes to forests by tracking fall foliage. Following the changing colors of the fall leaves is one of life’s great pleasures. But for ecologists studying changes to forests and climate change, the seasonal timing of fall color holds clues to the future. In this engaging webinar, learn how community scientists are using tools from the USA National Phenology Network to record the appearance of fall colors in trees and how scientists are using this data to understand forests. Guided by experts from the Arboretum’s forest ecology research team, you’ll learn new ways of viewing fall color, be introduced to websites and apps to begin recording fall color on your own, and get deeper insights into the seasonal changes that trees go through each year. You’ll get a chance to hear about
- why leaves change color and drop
- why some seasons have great fall color and others don’t
- what discoveries scientists are making about these changes
- what the timing of fall color can tell us about the bigger picture of our climate and local environment.
- how citizen scientists are helping to study fall color
Course number: N092
Instructor: Brendon Reidy, research coordinator, phenology, The Morton Arboretum
Course Notes:
This program will take place using Zoom video conferencing. A link will be provided to all registrants by email. Registrants should click on the link to join the program at the scheduled date and time.
- New to Zoom? Watch this short video to learn how to join a webinar.
- Please add education@mortonarb.org to your address book. You will receive an email from this address with the link to join class.
- Participants will need access to the internet via a computer or mobile device.
- Limit 75
Tool Use for Natural Areas Management (Online)
Thursday, October 22, 2020, 12:00 p.m.
Register by October 15, 2020.
Course Description:
Learn to effectively and efficiently use the tools of the trade to tackle different restoration jobs. Get to know your tools, pick the right tools for the right tasks, and learn to use the different tools safely. From the comfort of your home or office, use self-paced online learning modules created by Arboretum experts to learn how to plan and run safe workdays, meet site safety guidelines, and how to care for equipment.
Course number: W008
Course Details:
Notes:
- This class is held entirely online.
- Participants will have access to the online materials for 60 days after the course start date.
- Registration closes five hours before online materials are released. Limit 50
Requirements:
- Participants must have access to the internet and know how to send and receive email.
- A unique email address for each participant is required at registration.
- Continuing education: This class fulfills a requirement for the Natural Areas Conservation Training (N-ACT)
- Program. (Learn more about N-ACT.)
Chicago Wilderness Prescription Burn Crew Training (Online)
Schedule and location
Online. This program will take place using Zoom web conferencing. Login information will be sent to registrants prior to class.
Wednesday, October 28, 12:00 p.m. central time: Online reading materials available.
Thursday and Friday, October 29 and 30, 2020 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Register by October 21, 2020.
Course Description:
Chicago Wilderness offers the Midwest Ecological Prescription Burn Crew Member Training class online through The Morton Arboretum. Based on the National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s (NWCG) S-130 and S-190 courses, this two-day training covers the basics of such topics as fire behavior, controlled burn techniques, and smoke management. The objective is to provide participants with the background necessary to safely participate on the crew of a controlled burn. Class will take place using Zoom web conferencing, and will include presentations by expert instructors, live class discussions, and an online final exam. There will be breaks throughout the day and a lunch break in the middle of the day.
Please be aware that although the training is accepted by many of the natural resource management agencies in the CW region as the minimum training required for a participant on a burn crew, it does not carry the official NWCG certification. This class can be taken as a supplement to the Natural Areas Conservation Training Program in natural areas management.
Course number: W500
Instructor: Jay Johnson and John McCabe
Jay Johnson has been with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County since 1985. During his time with the Forest Preserve District, he has worked to maintain the preserves, provided oversight of the boat rental and campground operations, instill a love of nature for all audiences through recreational programming, and has assisted with resource management through various means. With the latter, it has included many years of Rx Burning in all local fuel types.
John McCabe has worked for the Forest Preserves since May of 1990. He has participated in over 500 fires and is recognized as an expert in conducting prescribed burns and wildfire suppression in the urban environment. He coordinates restoration projects and manages the Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan, which sets forth the Forest Preserves’ land management direction for the next 25 years. John loves his job, as every day is an adventure at the Forest Preserves of Cook County!
Course details
Notes:
- This class includes both online material that can be completed at your own pace, live discussions using Zoom web conferencing, and an online exam.
- Some online assignments must be completed before the live discussions.
- Participants will have access to online materials for 60 days after the course start date
- You must pass the online exam to earn your certificate of completion.
- Registration closes five hours before online materials are released. Limit 100
Requirements:
- Participants must have access to the internet, be able to use Zoom web conferencing software, and know how to send and receive email.
- New to Zoom? Watch this short video to learn how to join a meeting.
- A unique email address for each participant is required at registration.
Woodland Ecology (Online)
Thursday, November 12, 2020, 12:00 p.m.
Register by November 5, 2020.
Course description
Learn the essentials of woodland ecology and the woodland management techniques necessary to maintain threatened woodland ecosystems. Woodlands and savannas once covered vast stretches of the Great Lakes region. Today, these ecosystems are threatened by encroaching development, invasive species, and pollution. Discuss the principles of woodland ecology underlying restoration practice, learn about sites that represent different stages of restoration, and explore the controversies surrounding management of these systems in an engaging online course.
In this online class, the self-guided material can be completed wherever you have access to a computer, at your own pace.
Course number: W302
Course details
Notes:
- The course is held entirely online
- The online materials will take approximately 4 hours to complete.
- Participants will have access to online materials for 60 days after the course start date.
- Limit 50
Requirements:
- Participants must have access to the internet and know how to use a web browser (ex: Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer)
- A unique email address for each participant is required at registration.
- Participants must know how to send and receive email.
Continuing education: This class fulfills the Restoration Ecology elective of the Natural Areas Conservation Training (N-ACT) Program. (Learn more about N-ACT.)
Ecosystem Concepts (Online and In-Person)
Tuesday, November 5, 2020: Access online self-paced materials (available for 60 days)
Sunday, November 22, 2020, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.: In person session meets at Parking Lot 25
Register by October 29, 2020.
Course description
Explore the interactions that drive ecosystem function and learn to identify plants, animals, and fungi in relation to ecological habitats.
By developing knowledge of ecological food webs and species interdependence you will have a better understanding of how to manage natural areas to support biodiversity. We will discuss influential variables which determine habitat quality and shape an ecosystem, such as light, water, fire, and herbivory. An emphasis on the cyclical nature of the seasons and life history of native species will allow insights for short-term and long-term natural areas management.
The online component of this class is self-guided and can be completed wherever you have access to a computer, at your own pace. Online assignments are due before the in-person session.
Course number: W040
Instructor: Greg Rajsky
Greg Rajsky has been engaged in ecological restoration since 1990 and has been teaching classes for the Morton Arboretum since 1996. An avid field botanist and ecologist, he consults with local property owners to help them understand, conserve, and maintain natural habitats. He stewards several sites in the region.
Course details
Notes:
- This class includes both online and in-person sessions. Online assignments must be completed before the in-person class.
- The online materials will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
- Participants will have access to online materials for 60 days after the course start date.
- Please dress for the weather during the in-person session, with long sleeves and long pants/sturdy footwear.
- Registration closes five hours before online materials are released. Limit 12.
Requirements:
- Participants must have access to the internet and know how to use a web browser (ex: Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer)
- A unique email address for each participant is required at registration.
- Participants must know how to send and receive email.
Continuing education: This class fulfills a requirement for the Natural Areas Conservation Training (N-ACT) Program. (Learn more about N-ACT.) 5 Continuing Education Credits are available from the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER).
Invasive Species (Online)
Thursday, November 12, 2020, 12:00 p.m. central time.
Register by November 5, 2020.
Course description
Learn to identify and manage the most common invasive plants in the Great Lakes region. Managing invasive plants is one of the most common restoration tasks. Learn to identify the characteristics of common invasive plants and describe their impacts on the landscape; discuss invasive plant ecology, and learn to which control methods are best suited to each plant.
In this online class, the self-guided material can be completed wherever you have access to a computer, at your own pace.
Course number: W030
Course details
Notes:
- This class is held entirely online.
- The online materials will take approximately 90 minutes to complete.
- Participants will have access to online materials for 60 days after the course start date.
- Limit 50
Requirements:
- Participants must have access to the internet and know how to use a web browser (ex: Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer)
- Participants must know how to send and receive email.
- A unique email address for each participant is required at registration.
Prerequisites: Basic Plant ID (W100) or previous experience with plant identification recommended.
Continuing education: This class fulfills a requirement for the Natural Areas Conservation Training (N-ACT) Program. (Learn more about N-ACT.)
Tuesday, December 1, 2020: Access online self-paced materials at 12:00 p.m. Central time (available for 60 days)
Tuesday, December 10, 2020, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.: Live online discussion using zoom.
Register by November 24, 2020.
Course description
Strengthen your skills leading volunteers in natural areas management with this interactive primer for volunteer stewardship activity planning, group dynamics, safety, and volunteer empowerment. Learn how to plan and run a productive volunteer workday for activities such as invasive brush removal and seed collection that inspire volunteers to keep coming back. Discover some methods of bringing volunteers together with social media, mailing lists, and in-person meetings. Gain skills to recruit, retain, and empower volunteers to lead others with community organizing fundamentals.
The self-guided material can be completed wherever you have access to a computer, at your own pace. There will be one live discussion with the instructor via Zoom (see schedule for the date and time).
Course number: W510
Instructor: Trinity Pierce, CRTI Stewardship Coordinator, The Morton Arboretum
Trinity Pierce began her restoration journey during barefoot summers exploring woodland, bogs, and roadside wildflowers of northern Wisconsin. With a formal background in history and landscape architecture, Trinity thrives on leading and learning alongside volunteers of all ages. She has designed and implemented restoration projects from the mountain west to the Midwest; from rural to urban ecosystems. In her role as the Chicago Region Trees Initiative Stewardship Coordinator Coordinator, Trinity supports tree planting and the dynamic volunteer community and fosters partnerships locally and beyond.
Course details
Notes:
- New to Zoom? Watch this short video to learn how to join a webinar.
- Please add education@mortonarb.org to your address book. You will receive an email from this address with the link to join class.
- Held online and in-person. The in-person session will be held indoors.
- Registration closes 5 hours before online materials become available.
- Plan to spend approximately 90 minutes to complete the online materials and to participate in a 2.5 hour live session online using Zoom webconferencing. The online materials do not need to be completed in one sitting.
- Participants will have access to online materials for 60 days after the course start date.
- Limit 30.
Requirements:
- Participants must have access to the internet via a computer or mobile device.
- A unique email address for each participant is required at registration.
- Continuing education: This class fulfills a requirement for the Natural Areas Conservation Training Program.
Site Planning for Invasive Species Management (Online)
Thursday, December 10, 2020, 12:00 p.m.: Access online self-paced materials (available for 60 days)
Tuesday, January 12, 2021, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.: Live class discussion via zoom
Register by December 3, 2020.
Course description
Learn to assess the invasive species issues at a site and set priorities for efficiently and effectively managing invasive species in this engaging online class.
Through interactive online learning modules, you will explore how to prioritize management activities, learn the importance of seasonal timing of invasive species control, and discuss how to develop a plan of action for stewardship at an example site.
The self-guided material can be completed wherever you have access to a computer, at your own pace. There will be one live discussion with the instructor via Zoom, on January 12, 2021, from noon to 1 p.m.
Course number: W330
Instructor: Mary Zaandar
Mary Zaander works to restore native ecosystems at Witness Tree Native Landscapes as owner and manager, her vocation for 22 years. Her ecosystem education began as a volunteer in the late 1980’s, continued with a master’s degree from Northeastern Illinois University and is ongoing today both professionally and as a volunteer.
Course details
Notes:
- This class is held entirely online.
- Participants will have access to online materials for 60 days after the course start date.
- Limit 50
Requirements:
- Invasive Species (W030) or previous experience with invasive plant identification recommended.
- Participants will need access to the internet via a computer or mobile device.
- A unique email address for each participant is required at registration.
Continuing education: This class fulfills a requirement of the Natural Areas Conservation Training (N-ACT) Program. (Learn more about N-ACT.)
Winter Tree ID (Online)
Monday, December 7, 2020: Access online self-paced materials (available for 60 days).
Monday, December 14 and Thursday, December 17, 2020: Live Zoom sessions, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Register by December 1, 2020
Course description
Learn to identify trees after they shed their leaves for the winter in this online class from The Morton Arboretum. Develop the skills to identify winter trees on your own using clues found in buds, fruits, leaf scars, bark, and branching patterns.
The class will kick off with a self-paced online lesson, covering basic skills and terminology. Complete it any time you wish before the scheduled webinar sessions with your instructor.
Course number: N100
Instructor: Kim Shearer, tree and shrub breeder
Kim Shearer is our tree and shrub breeder and manages the Daniel P. Haerther Charitable Trust New Plant Development Program. She came to the Arboretum after completing her M.S. degree in Horticulture with a focus in Plant Breeding and Genetics at Oregon State University. Kim’s experience and education has been primarily focused on the propagation, development and evaluation of tree and shrub species from around the world. Kim manages the New Plant Development lab, engages audiences around the country promoting trees and shrubs through the Chicagoland Grows(R) Plant Introduction Program, and works closely with academics and the nursery industry in the evaluation of tree and shrub selections.
Course details
Notes: This class is held entirely online. Limit 18
Requirements:
- Must have access to the internet and provide a unique email address for each registrant at registration.
- Must know how to use a web browser (ex: Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer) and how to send and receive email.
- You will receive an email with log-in information at noon on the day the online materials become available. Complete the online materials before your scheduled live webinar.
- Plan to spend about 60 minutes completing the online material. Students will have access to the online materials for 60 days after the first day they access the course.
Required Text: Winter Tree Finder, by May T. Watts and Tom Watts, $4.95, available in The Arboretum Store or from online retailers such as Amazon.
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How Self-paced Online Classes Work:
- To access the class, you will log into TreeLearning, the Arboretum’s online learning portal. Instructions for accessing TreeLearning will be sent to registrants just after noon on the day the course begins.
- You have access to the course for 60 days and can complete the materials anytime.
- Complete the self-paced e-learning modules with reading material, short videos, interactive activities, and quizzes to check your understanding.
- The course will take approximately 90 minutes. The course does not need to be completed in one sitting.
- Your instructor will not be online with you.
