News and Events

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January Program: Aldo Leopold at Faville Grove

Tuesday, January 5, 2021
7 p.m.
Virtual Program with Zoom
 
Charles Johannsen will be talking about his fascinating video that he produced in 2005 “Aldo Leopold at Faville Grove”.

The beginning of prairie preservation and ecological restoration by the efforts of writer/scientist/ecologist Aldo Leopold. The first piece of virgin prairie saved as public land. Leopold called this property "...one of the largest and best remnants of unplowed, ungrazed prairie sod left in the State."  The story focuses on Leopold's graduate students and local farmers who appreciated the wild orchids growing on the prairie. Personal narratives are provided by three of Aldo Leopold's children, some of his graduate students, and the Faville/Tillotson family of Lake Mills. The video includes Leopold's essay 'Exit Orchis'. Video traces the history of this prairie remnant since it was saved from the plow - the slow learning curve of prairie maintenance, difficulties with neighboring farmers and, finally, the purchase of adjoining land for ecological restoration. An epilogue (2010) recounts the damage caused by the floods of 2008, as the climate and watershed have changed.

Charles Johannsen produced and recorded this video in 2005. Charles’ passion is as a videographer and has produced numerous videos, many for not-for-profits in the region. His interviews with the Leopold family and Leopold’s first graduate students in this video are a historical treasure! Charles’ has a great love for the natural world and spends much time exploring it.

For all individuals who want to join the program, please email nwilaudubon@gmail.com to receive the link and password to join this Zoom program.

We will begin at 7:00 pm, first with any chapter announcements from the president and board members. The program will follow with time for questions and discussions at the end.
Open to the public!

The Story of Plastic- free Virtual Film Screening

Monday, January 11, 2021, to Monday, January 18, 2021
Virtual Program

Produced by the Story of Stuff Project, The Story of Plastic takes a sweeping look at the human-made crisis of plastic pollution and the worldwide effect it has on the health of our planet and the people who inhabit it. The film features interviews with experts and activists on the frontlines of the fight, revealing the disastrous consequences of the flood of plastic smothering ecosystems and poisoning communities around the world, and the global movement that is rising up in response.

If you are interested in watching the film, please RSVP through eventbrite at this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-film-screening-of-the-story-of-plastic-plus-optional-zoom-discussion-tickets-135787611401 and we will send you a link to the film and the link for the optional online discussion via Zoom on Tuesday, January 19 at 7:00 pm.

The goal for this discussion is to find ways to take action and make changes in our use of plastic.

The film screening link will be sent to you about a week before the film (as regulated by the screening rights of the film producers) so you can watch at your leisure. The link to watch the film will expire sometime on January 19. It is recommended to have high speed internet to be able to watch the film without interruption.

If you have questions, please contact us at nwilaudubon@gmail.com.
To learn more about the film, visit storyofplastic.org

Meeting: NIAS Conservation Committee

Tuesday, January 12, 2021
6 p.m.
St. John United Church of Christ, 1010 Park Blvd., Freeport, IL

Meeting: NIAS Board Meeting

Tuesday, January 12, 2021
7 p.m.
St. John United Church of Christ, 1010 Park Blvd., Freeport, IL

Virtual Discussion of the film The Story of Plastic

Tuesday, January 19, 2021
7 p.m.
Virtual Program

Discussion of The Story of Plastic. The film takes a sweeping look at the human-made crisis of plastic pollution and the worldwide effect it has on the health of our planet and the people who inhabit it. The film features interviews with experts and activists on the frontlines of the fight, revealing the disastrous consequences of the flood of plastic smothering ecosystems and poisoning communities around the world, and the global movement that is rising up in response.

If you have questions, please contact us at nwilaudubon@gmail.com.
To learn more about the film, visit storyofplastic.org