Category Archives: Parklands

Remembering Lee Botts (1928-2019), Environmental Activist, Champion of the Great Lakes and Indiana Dunes

Posted on October 8, 2019 by Michael Bryson

While Millennials and Gen Zers are leading the way on climate change activism and environmental justice here in 2019, their passion for change and stalwart efforts against seemingly insurmountable barriers are inspired by and built upon the efforts of previous … Continue reading →

Posted in Great Lakes, History, News, Parklands, Politics, Pollution, Urban nature, Water | Comments Off on Remembering Lee Botts (1928-2019), Environmental Activist, Champion of the Great Lakes and Indiana Dunes

Talking (and Sampling) Water at Sherman Park in Chicago

Posted on August 12, 2018 by Michael Bryson

This past Tuesday I had the good fortune to go to the Sherman Park branch library of the Chicago Public Library system in order to do an hour-long program on water and sustainability for neighborhood teens. The librarian who invited … Continue reading →

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Writing Urban Nature: A One-Week Intensive Summer Course in Chicago, May 18-22

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Michael Bryson

Still plenty of room in this new one-week-intensive summer course! Pre-session is next Wed., May 6th, at 4:3pm in Gage 218. For more detailed information on my summer intensive course, check out this Writing Urban Nature preview; and share a pdf version of … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago, Classes, Education, Faculty, Field Trips, Humanities, Literature, Parklands, Roosevelt, Students, Sustainability, Urban nature | Comments Off on Writing Urban Nature: A One-Week Intensive Summer Course in Chicago, May 18-22

SUST 390 “Writing Urban Nature” Course Preview (Summer 2015)

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Michael Bryson

This May 2015 one-week-intensive section of SUST 390 Writing Urban Nature is an environmental literature and writing special topics course distinguished by in-the-field explorations of various natural and urban environments. The class provides a unique immersive experience in “nature close at hand” at … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts, Chicago, Classes, Education, Faculty, Field Trips, Humanities, Literature, Parklands, Roosevelt, Sustainability, Urban nature | Comments Off on SUST 390 “Writing Urban Nature” Course Preview (Summer 2015)

Job Opening: Assistant Volunteer Coordinator at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Michael Bryson

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, located just north of Wilmington IL in Will County, is seeking a full-time Assistant Volunteer Coordinator.  This position is possible because of a partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy. To view this … Continue reading →

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Spring Sparrows in Joliet

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Michael Bryson

After my sandwich break today while telecommuting from the Joliet Public Library’s Black Road Branch location, I took a postprandial stroll through the marsh at the Rock Run Forest Preserve, which is just to the west of the library. Heard … Continue reading →

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Burning Rock Run: Fire Management in a Will County Marshland

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Michael Bryson

From my perch this morning at the Joliet Public Library’s West Branch, I’m looking out at the Rock Run Forest Preserve of Will County, which is adjacent to the library. Looks like folks from the FPDWC are doing a prescribed … Continue reading →

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College Scholarship Offered by the Friends of Volo Bog (deadline Mar 31)

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Michael Bryson

I received this notice via email from the Friends of Volo Bog environmental stewardship organization. A nice scholarship opportunity for continuing SUST majors looking to supplement their finances for 2013-14. The Friends of Volo Bog is offering an Entering College … Continue reading →

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Canoeing the Upper North Branch of the Chicago River

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Michael Bryson

This past Saturday, students in my SUST 220 Water and PLS 391 Natural Science seminars at Roosevelt University joined me for an urban ecology adventure on the Upper North Branch of the Chicago River. We convened mid-morning at Linné Woods, … Continue reading →

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Assessing Water Quality on the Chicago River’s North Branch at West River Park

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Michael Bryson

Saturday, Sept. 8th, was the first day of class for my Sustainability Studies 220 Water seminar at Roosevelt University. Instead of staying inside our classroom all day, though, we took advantage of excellent late-summer weather here in Chicago to take … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago, Classes, Field Trips, Parklands, Pollution, Rivers, Science, Students, Urban ecology, Urban nature, Water | Comments Off on Assessing Water Quality on the Chicago River’s North Branch at West River Park