Meet the Woodland Project Staff
Kurt Dreisilker
Position
Manager of Natural Resources
The Morton Arboretum
Education
M.S. (candidate), Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
B.S., Plant Biology
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Responsibilities
Kurt develops and implements management plans for land and water resources in the Arboretum's natural areas, including 900 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and prairies. He leads the Arboretum's ecological restoration efforts, including land-use history research, prescription fire, invasive species control, native species introductions, hydrological restoration, and volunteer steward training and supervision.
Megan Dunning, Ph.D.
Position
Manager of Community Education and Outreach
Education
Ph.D. 2008, University of Chicago, Genetics
B.A. 2001, Macalester College, Biology
Responsibilities
Megan develops curriculum for and oversees the Arboretum's adult education programs in Natural History, Ornithology and the Woodland Stewardship Training Program. She also manages the Cooperative College Botany Program, offered through the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area. Her interests include ecological genetics and interactions between plants and the microbes, insects, and animals they associate with.
The Natural History program at The Morton Arboretum offers adults the very best in field biology. Through hands-on classes with expert instructors, and in person encounters with natural habitats, students become acquainted with the woodlands, wetlands, prairies, savannas, of Northern Illinois. By studying the trees, plants, animals, insects, and soils of these habitats, participants in the Natural History program gain an understanding of the ecological processes that are the underpinning of conservation biology, natural areas management, and restoration ecology.
Arboretum Programs in Natural History Education
Naturalist Certificate Program
Ornithology Certificate Program
Woodland Stewardship Training Program
Nature Photography Certificate
Cooperative College Botany Program