Campus Connection

Lecture series begins with Urban Ecology Center leader

The inaugural Prairie Springs Distinguished Environmental Sciences Lecture Series at UW-La Crosse will feature the executive director of Milwaukee’s Urban Ecology Center. Ken Leinbach will speak at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, in the Hesprich Auditorium in Graff Main Hall, 1725 State St. The presentation is free and open to all. During his presentation, Leinbach will weave a tale of a group of ordinary people in an ordinary neighborhood working to create something extraordinary. He will share the story about the restoration of urban land into a natural state, along with restoring the urban soul. He’ll also discuss the transformation of children, parks, neighborhoods, a city and, ultimately, the world. Milwaukee’s Urban Ecology Center is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate the community about the environment, conservation, sustainability, and other issues related to urban ecology, as well as to preserve and protect the natural areas in the city. “I’ve told our story to inspire others to have hope, take action in their own neighborhoods, and maybe even get their own Urban Ecology Center up and running,” says Leinbach. The Prairie Springs Distinguished Environmental Sciences Lecture Series was created as part of the $2 million endowment from the Prairie Springs: The Paul Fleckenstein Trust given to UW-La Crosse earlier this year. The largest single gift ever to UWL also named the university’s new science labs building — the Prairie Springs Science Center — along with establishing an endowment that supports environmental studies and education; wildlife and wildlife habitat protection; conservation; and ecological technology. Other sponsors of the lecture series include: College of Science and Health, School of Education, River Studies Center, Environmental Studies, Department of Biology, and the Department of Recreational Management & Therapeutic Recreation.     If you go— Who:  Ken Leinbach, executive director of Milwaukee’s Urban Ecology Center What: Prairie Springs Distinguished Environmental Sciences Lecture Series When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14 Where: Hesprich Auditorium, UWL Graff Main Hall, 1725 State St. Admission: Free.