In the Spirit of Wetlands
Mennonite Church of Normal, 805 S Cottage Ave, Normal, IL, 61761 Map
Live Stream Available
Public Welcome Will be Recorded Free Event Chapter Meeting Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Drinking Fountains
Note: This program will be held both in-person and by livestream. A link to join the livestream will be posted here closer to program date. A recording of the program will be available on our YouTube channel.
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The book “In the Spirit of Wetlands" by Clare Howard and David Zalaznik explores a dozen locations in Illinois with either wetland restorations or constructed wetlands. Rather than dark, smelly, unproductive swamps, wetlands are environmental warriors nurturing diversity, cleansing water and mitigating flooding. People who own and work on these wetlands bring incredible and contagious commitment to this misunderstood and maligned environment. This presentation will highlight images of these Illinois wetlands and the people behind them.
Early settlers in Illinois destroyed wetlands before understanding them and before seeing their beauty. Now we have the scientific knowledge that wetlands are critical to a healthy ecosystem. What remains is to open our eyes to see their beauty and fall in love with this environment where land, water and air co-mingle in a world alive with diversity. We will protect what we love?
Presenter Bios:
Clare Howard is a journalist formerly at the Peoria Journal Star and Community Word. She has a master’s degree in journalism from University of Illinois and a doctorate from Union Institute and University. Her next book, “Wisdom of the Marsh” focuses on one vast wetland complex in central New York as its geographic anchor, but its mission is exploring the universal role wetlands play in combating climate change and restoring diversity, justice and community.
David Zalaznik is a photojournalist currently living in Central New York. His newspaper career began at the Lincoln (Ill.) Courier and ended more than three decades later with retirement from the Peoria Journal Star. Zalaznik has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from University of Iowa and a master’s degree in journalism from University of Illinois. During his career, a special interest was coverage of environmental issues and the people searching for solutions to critical environmental problems.