On Lichens: Lessons in Symbiosis

Presented by: Joe Walewski, Wolf Ridge Naturalist and Interim Program Director.

The recorded Zoom meeting is available on the Videos page.

Exploring lichens – the ultimate model of symbiosis and community – opened a world that forever changed Joe’s life. Every year he learns something new, makes new connections, and pursues new questions. Joe continues to use lichens as a lens through which he explores the world of being a naturalist and follows his passions. What’s your passion?

As naturalists, we all have a responsibility for the wellbeing of those we study, be they birds or butterworts, ferns or frogs, lichens or landscapes. Joe will take you on a journey through his life with lichens. The lessons he’s learned apply to you and your responsibilities for our collective future. While people all around the world grow ever more disconnected from our natural and cultural communities, it doesn’t have to be that way.

We can learn the lessons of symbiosis.

Presenter Bio (Joe Walewski):

Joe Walewski, Wolf Ridge Naturalist and Interim Program Director, has served the graduate program at Wolf Ridge since the late 1990s. He’s learned education and natural history from an excellent community of naturalists and educators – young and old, near and far. Each year he teaches and learns with 16 educator naturalists looking to learn and practice environmental education and natural history.