{"id":178178,"date":"2026-05-11T18:52:25","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T18:52:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/?page_id=178178"},"modified":"2026-08-23T21:36:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T21:36:08","slug":"naccr-2026-plenary-july-14","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccr-2026-plenary-july-14\/","title":{"rendered":"NACCR 2026 Plenary &#8211; July 14"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class='clear'><\/div><div id='sub_menu1'  class='av-submenu-container av-13eedf0i-57d04f330c53c720f311bfbe9ef1d2d6 main_color  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-first  av-sticky-submenu container_wrap fullsize' style='z-index:301' ><div class='container av-menu-mobile-disabled av-submenu-pos-center'><ul id=\"menu-naccb-2026\" class=\"av-subnav-menu\" role=\"menu\"><li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-174201\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-top-level 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class=\"avia-menu-text\">About<\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-fx\"><span class=\"avia-arrow-wrap\"><span class=\"avia-arrow\"><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>\n\n\n<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-176159\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/what-we-do\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">About SCBNA<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-176208\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ser.org\/page\/about\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">About SER<\/span><\/a>\n\t<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-176209\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/chapter.ser.org\/midwestgreatlakes\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">About SER-MWGL Chapter<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-176158\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/about-naccb\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">About NACCB<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-176169\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/176163-2\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Conference Theme<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-176175\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/2026-conference-venue\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Conference Venue<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-176493\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccr-2026-organizing-committee\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Organizing Committee<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-176187\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-top-level menu-item-top-level-3\"><a itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Participate<\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-fx\"><span class=\"avia-arrow-wrap\"><span class=\"avia-arrow\"><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>\n\n\n<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-177340\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccr-2026-registration\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Registration &#8211; CLOSED!<\/span><\/a>\n\t<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-177359\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/2026-conference-hotel\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Hotel Reservations<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-177399\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccr-2026-call-for-abstracts\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Call for Abstracts &#8211; CLOSED<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-176681\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccr-2026-call-for-proposals\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Call for Proposals &#8211; CLOSED<\/span><\/a>\n\t<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-176685\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccr-2026-symposia-submission-requirements-instructions-and-criteria\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Symposia<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-176684\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccr-2026-interactive-sessions-submission-requirements-instructions-and-criteria\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Interactive Sessions<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-176682\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccr-2026-short-courses-submission-requirements-instructions-and-criteria\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Short Courses<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-176683\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccr-2026-workshops-submission-requirements-instructions-and-criteria\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Workshops<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-176633\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccr-2026-instructions-for-attendees-presenters-organizers-and-moderators\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Instructions for Attendees, Presenters, Organizers, and Moderators<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-176634\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccr-2026-policies-and-responsibilities-of-naccb-session-organizers-and-presenters\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Policies and Responsibilities of Session Organizers and Presenters<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-176635\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccr-2026-meeting-and-event-code-of-conduct\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Meeting and Event Code of Conduct<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-176188\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-top-level menu-item-top-level-4\"><a itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Program<\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-fx\"><span class=\"avia-arrow-wrap\"><span class=\"avia-arrow\"><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>\n\n\n<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-178829\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/178806-2\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">NACCR 2026 Awards<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-178204\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccr-2026-online-program\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Online Program &#038; Conference App<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-177844\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccr-2026-schedule-at-a-glance\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Schedule-at-a-Glance<\/span><\/a>\n\t<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-178327\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NACCR-2026-Schedule-at-a-Glance-Sat-July-11.jpg\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Saturday-at-a-Glance<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-178328\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NACCR-2026-Schedule-at-a-Glance-Sun-July-12.jpg\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Sunday-at-a-Glance<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-178329\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NACCR-2026-Schedule-at-a-Glance-Mon-July-13.jpg\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Monday-at-a-Glance<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-178330\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NACCR-2026-Schedule-at-a-Glance-Tues-July-14.jpg\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Tuesday-at-a-Glance<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-178331\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NACCR-2026-Schedule-at-a-Glance-Wed-July-15.jpg\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Wednesday-at-a-Glance<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-178332\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NACCR-2026-Schedule-at-a-Glance-Thur-July-16.jpg\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Thursday-at-a-Glance<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-177787\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccr-2026-plenaries\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Opening Ceremony &#038; Plenaries<\/span><\/a>\n\t<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-177797\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccr-2026-plenary-july-13\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Plenary \u2013 July 13<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-178186\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccr-2026-plenary-july-14\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Plenary \u2013 July 14<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-177992\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccr-2026-plenary-july-15\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Plenary \u2013 July 15<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-177975\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/education-forum-arts-based-learning\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Education Forum &#038; Art-Sci Workshop<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-178034\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/networking-opportunities-closing-reception\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Networking Opportunities &#038; Closing Celebration<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-178514\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccr-2026\/film-festival\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Wild &#038; Scenic Film Festival On Tour at NACCR2026<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-177508\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccr-2026-field-trips-2\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Field Trips<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-177671\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccr-2026-workshops-short-courses\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Workshops &#038; Short Courses<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-176186\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-has-children menu-item-top-level menu-item-top-level-5\"><a itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Attendee Resources<\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-fx\"><span class=\"avia-arrow-wrap\"><span class=\"avia-arrow\"><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>\n\n\n<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-178534\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/CEC-Cheat-Sheet_Meeting-Passport-Combined_6.28.2026.pdf\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">SER Continuing Education Credits (Instructions &#038; Cheat Sheet)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-177875\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/2026-conference-hotel\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Hotel Reservations<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-177349\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/2026-attendee-resources\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Accessibility Resources<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-176197\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccb-2026-travel\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Travel Resources<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-176206\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/naccb-2026-dining-things-to-do\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Dining &#038; Things To Do<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li role=\"menuitem\" id=\"menu-item-176189\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-top-level menu-item-top-level-6\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/sponsor-and-exhibit-2026\/\" itemprop=\"url\" tabindex=\"0\"><span class=\"avia-bullet\"><\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-text\">Sponsor and Exhibit<\/span><span class=\"avia-menu-fx\"><span class=\"avia-arrow-wrap\"><span class=\"avia-arrow\"><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><div class='sticky_placeholder'><\/div><div id='after_submenu_1'  class='main_color av_default_container_wrap container_wrap fullsize'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-178178'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-mp1k0klf-895aeff27a75866db7d6a653d2dde9e5 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h4><strong>Plenary: Conservation and Restoration in Urban Ecosystems<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><strong>Date:<\/strong> Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 9:00 am &#8211; 10:30 am CST (1.5 hours)<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Prk5hKWWSb0&amp;list=PLLSxhfJM2jbI&amp;index=3\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Watch the July 14, 2026 plenary recording here!<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Description<\/strong>:<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the United Nations, more than half of the world\u2019s population resides in urban areas, and this figure is projected to rise to almost 70% by 2050. This plenary brings together researchers and practitioners to explore the challenges and opportunities for conservation and restoration in urban areas. The session will examine critical issues such as conservation and biodiversity in urban environments, the impacts of the wildland\u2013urban interface, and the fragmentation effects of road networks on ecosystems, habitats, and individual species. Speakers will also highlight strategies for restoration and conservation of large-scale urban forests, wetlands, and river ecosystems, for the benefit of both people and nature. Central to the discussion is the role of local communities in shaping decision-making processes, offering practical insights into more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban ecosystems<\/span>.<\/p>\n<h4>Panelists:<\/h4>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-11-at-1.33.42-PM.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-178179\" src=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-11-at-1.33.42-PM-297x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"227\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-11-at-1.33.42-PM-297x300.png 297w, https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-11-at-1.33.42-PM-80x80.png 80w, https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-11-at-1.33.42-PM-36x36.png 36w, https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-11-at-1.33.42-PM.png 402w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forestandwildlifeecology.wisc.edu\/people\/faculty-and-staff\/volker-radeloff\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Volker Radeloff<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Professor | <a href=\"https:\/\/forestandwildlifeecology.wisc.edu\/\">Department of Forest &amp; Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Volker Radeloff<\/strong>, Margaret Murie Professor of Biodiversity Conservation in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, studies how rapid land use and climate change affect biodiversity and wild places around the globe. He analyzes satellite images to map species\u2019 habitats and biodiversity hotspots, monitor conservation threats, and plan conservation actions. His international research has taken him to places like the Caucasus, Mongolia, Patagonia, Tanzania, Yakutia, and Yunnan. His research demonstrated how nature returned after the collapse of the Soviet Union triggered widespread agricultural abandonment, the effectiveness of protected areas, and the habitat use by many wildlife species of conservation concern. In the US, he collaborates with the US Forest Service and US Geological Survey to monitor the wildland urban interface and estimate its effects on wildfires and biodiversity<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-o26tu4i-173e34e7ab9c9de0f8e91e18429ccff3\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-o26tu4i-173e34e7ab9c9de0f8e91e18429ccff3{\nheight:8px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-o26tu4i-173e34e7ab9c9de0f8e91e18429ccff3 hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-2  el_before_av_hr  avia-builder-el-first '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Screenshot-2026-07-10-at-9.42.38-PM.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-178619\" src=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Screenshot-2026-07-10-at-9.42.38-PM-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Screenshot-2026-07-10-at-9.42.38-PM-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Screenshot-2026-07-10-at-9.42.38-PM-80x80.png 80w, https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Screenshot-2026-07-10-at-9.42.38-PM-36x36.png 36w, https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Screenshot-2026-07-10-at-9.42.38-PM-180x180.png 180w, https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Screenshot-2026-07-10-at-9.42.38-PM.png 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/phil-nicodemus\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Phil Nicodemus<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Research Director, <a href=\"https:\/\/urbanrivers.org\/\">Urban Rivers<\/a><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Phil<\/strong> is the Research Director for Urban Rivers, a group dedicated to revitalizing urbanized waterways using novel artificial habitat structures such as floating wetlands. Since 2015 Phil has studied the ecological implications of waterways flowing through heavily urbanized environments; designing, installing and maintaining structures meant to diversify in stream habitat and substrate. Formerly at the Illinois Natural History Survey, Chicago Botanic Garden, and Shedd Aquarium, Phil\u2019s focus on the Chicago River system and Urban River\u2019s flagship project the Wild Mile has resulted in findings that have helped guide habitat restoration efforts applicable throughout Chicago and urbanized waterways worldwide.<\/span><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-m9414oy-3327e019cc846039e642b9c972f965f9\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-m9414oy-3327e019cc846039e642b9c972f965f9{\nheight:8px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-m9414oy-3327e019cc846039e642b9c972f965f9 hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_hr '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-02-at-12.21.21-PM.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-178290\" src=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-02-at-12.21.21-PM-224x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"301\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-02-at-12.21.21-PM-224x300.png 224w, https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-02-at-12.21.21-PM.png 342w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a>Daniel Smith<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Assistant Research Scholar, University of Florida<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Dr. Smith<\/strong> is an assistant research scholar and member of the graduate research faculty in the Center for Landscape Conservation Planning, School of Landscape Architecture and Planning and the School of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Florida. He is former chair of the National Academies Transportation Research Board Standing Committee on Environmental Analysis and Ecology and a member of the USFWS Florida Panther Recovery Program\u2019s Sub-team on Transportation Issues. He has 35 years\u2019 experience in conservation ecology and environmental planning. His primary research focus is studying movement patterns and habitat use of terrestrial vertebrates and integrating conservation, transportation, and land-use planning<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-fjgf9c2-cb63c6cae9ce0173ea397af15a9eef76\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-fjgf9c2-cb63c6cae9ce0173ea397af15a9eef76{\nheight:8px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-fjgf9c2-cb63c6cae9ce0173ea397af15a9eef76 hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_hr '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-02-at-12.19.44-PM.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-178289\" src=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-02-at-12.19.44-PM-222x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"304\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-02-at-12.19.44-PM-222x300.png 222w, https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-02-at-12.19.44-PM.png 292w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/aaronfeggestad\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><b>Aaron Feggestad<\/b><\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Senior Ecologist and Professional Wetland Scientist, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.heartlandecological.com\/\">Heartland Ecological Group<\/a><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Aaron<\/strong> is a Senior Ecologist and Professional Wetland Scientist with Heartland Ecological Group, Inc. As a consultant, he specializes in restoring and stewarding natural communities through assessment and inventory, design and planning, and field implementation. His work has spanned more than 10,000 acres across diverse natural communities and economic sectors, many in or near urban areas. He has delivered more than 50 industry presentations and technical workshops on lessons learned and best practices in restoration and stewardship. As a board member of two conservation non-profits, and co-founder of the Southeastern Wisconsin Conservation Collaborative, he works with community volunteers and leaders to conserve and steward remnant natural communities in and around urbanized areas. His research interests include identifying and restoring oak ecosystems and the Midwestern <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carex<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> flora.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-dnwwyrm-21e8cb5451455be7426d09029064e144\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-dnwwyrm-21e8cb5451455be7426d09029064e144{\nheight:8px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-dnwwyrm-21e8cb5451455be7426d09029064e144 hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_hr '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-11-at-1.46.56-PM.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-178181\" src=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-11-at-1.46.56-PM-255x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-11-at-1.46.56-PM-255x300.png 255w, https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-11-at-1.46.56-PM.png 436w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/lauren-umek-phd-88242784\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Lauren Umek<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Senior Project Manager<\/span>, <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Department of Cultural and Natural Resources, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagoparkdistrict.com\/\">Chicago Park District<\/a><\/span><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Lauren Umek<\/strong> is a Senior Project Manager in the Department of Cultural and Natural Resources with the Chicago Park District. There, she manages the design, stakeholder engagement, and implementation of natural area installation projects in Chicago\u2019s public parks. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She works to create urban wetlands, prairies, savannas, and woodlands in the City that maximize biodiversity and ecosystem services while considering budget, safety, maintenance, recreation, aesthetics, and historic preservation.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Her recent projects integrate public access and recreation opportunities with habitat improvement along the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, the conservation potential of post-industrial landscapes, and the use of short-stature species as a native alternative to un-used lawns. Dr. Umek\u2019s work is framed through an expertise in invasive species, urban ecological restoration and plant-soil interactions<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-5b0oeiq-08ed57308d20305928cef9a69efdf5d4\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-5b0oeiq-08ed57308d20305928cef9a69efdf5d4{\nheight:8px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-5b0oeiq-08ed57308d20305928cef9a69efdf5d4 hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-6  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_hr '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-5b0oeiq-1-cd45ca2e878672225709ce74cc832557\">\n#top .hr.hr-invisible.av-5b0oeiq-1-cd45ca2e878672225709ce74cc832557{\nheight:8px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-5b0oeiq-1-cd45ca2e878672225709ce74cc832557 hr-invisible  avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_hr  avia-builder-el-last '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/p>\n<h4>Moderator:<\/h4>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BH-headshot-768x768-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-178183\" src=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BH-headshot-768x768-1-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BH-headshot-768x768-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BH-headshot-768x768-1-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BH-headshot-768x768-1-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BH-headshot-768x768-1-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BH-headshot-768x768-1-705x705.jpg 705w, https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BH-headshot-768x768-1.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/sustainability.wisc.edu\/staff\/herrick-brad\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Brad Herrick<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Director, <a href=\"https:\/\/lakeshorepreserve.wisc.edu\/\">Lakeshore Nature Preserve, University of Wisconsin-Madison<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>As Director of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, <strong>Brad Herrick<\/strong> oversees the research, teaching, and outreach mission of the 300-acre campus natural area. He works collaboratively with Preserve staff, the Preserve Committee, and Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve to support the teaching and research mission of UW\u2013Madison and promote the Wisconsin Idea. Brad has over 20 years of experience as a research ecologist. He was most recently the Ecologist and Research Program Manager at the UW-Arboretum where he led diverse teams of ecologists, land managers, data analysts, educators, and citizen scientists to advance the science of restoration ecology while communicating to broad audiences.<\/p>\n<p>Herrick\u2019s research interests include plant community ecology, invasion biology, and the effects of urbanization on ecosystem health. He is a founding member and co-director of the Healthy Soil Collaborative, a partnership of researchers and outreach specialists from the United States and Canada, conducting ecosystem-scale research on questions related to soil health, invasive species and sustainability.<\/p>\n<p>He holds a bachelor\u2019s degree in biology from Luther College and a master\u2019s degree in ecosystems studies from UW\u2013Green Bay. He is a PhD candidate in the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at UW-Madison.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"footnotes":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-178178","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"ticketed":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/178178","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=178178"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/178178\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":178883,"href":"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/178178\/revisions\/178883"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scbnorthamerica.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=178178"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}