This was my first full week in my new position as Marketing & Communications Manager at Riveredge Nature Center. Riveredge has about 10 miles of trails on 379 acres and getting people outdoors and engaging with nature is central to the Riveredge mission. Join us on Instagram if you’d like to see pictures celebrating the seasons in Wisconsin! In this one below, I got photobombed by leaves swirling in the autumn wind.
This past week I was fortunate to receive a scholarship to attend the annual Society of Environmental Journalists Conference, which took place in Flint, Michigan this year. Thanks to the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research for offering scholarships to college students in the region.
Participants took part in educational seminars, brainstorming sessions, spoke with scientists, and acquainted other colleagues, editors, and publishers in the field. Tours were offered throughout the region, and I elected to visit the Pigeon River Country State Park. We saw three bull elk – a first for me!
In Downtown Flint, the Mott Foundation Building stands as essentially a cathedral of Art Deco design.
I walked around a little and explored the immediate surroundings. Some parts of the city still have an eerie ghost town vibe. I didn’t take this sign up on the invitation to walk in.
Another shot from the Pigeon River Country. The Michigan woods are quite lovely in fall.
I’m excited to attend the Society of Environmental Journalists Conference this weekend in Flint, Michigan. Thanks to the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research for providing the scholarship for me to attend!
A friend made a joke that this could be a hipster survival pack and he may well be right – except there’s no espresso or IPA! Handy tools I’m bringing with include: binoculars, a Zoom H4N, and a generous hand-me-down Nikon D70, and of course my iPhone is taking the picture.
I’m excited to get to know this new wheelchair accessible trail and boardwalk at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center. This new trail network is the result of years of planning and now physical work on the land. It’s part of a plan that incorporates ponds to sequester stormwater, which currently exacerbates ravine erosion into Lake Michigan. These ponds will also create wetland habitat and additional learning and wildlife viewing opportunities for visitors. Learn more about the details here on the Schlitz Audubon website.
I took this picture on the new boardwalk path a couple weeks ago. This section should be completed before the snow flies!
Come on out to the Jazz Estate Monday, September 24 for some poetry, with your host Bryon Cherry. I’ll be reading alongside A.J. Binash, Sunshine Ramel Crayton, andMario the Poet. Complete details here.
Yesterday I nearly had my own Isadora Duncan moment while riding over the Hoan Bridge in Milwaukee. Two wheels not four. My immediate thoughts following became this brief poem. If it makes you curious, I’ll leave you to do your own research about Isadora Duncan.
Recent storms have allowed Schlitz Audubon staff to see a species not often observed on our land, the Prairie Crayfish (Procambarus gracilus). Read here about this interesting native wildlife species at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, often hiding in burrows just below our feet in the prairie.
