Learn to Identify Trees
with
Kelsey Atkinson
5 Have Dabbled
ABOUT THIS EVENT
Event Category
Education
Event Overview
If you ever wished you could identify an oak from an elm, or a honeylocust from an ash tree, then this easy beginner's course on tree identification is for you. My course will be a literal walk through the park -- Palmer Square, to be specific -- where I will teach you how to identify Chicago's most common trees, and open your eyes to the vast urban forest that is hiding in plain sight all around us.
The course will be one-hour long and involve walking two laps around Palmer Square (a total distance of less than a mile). The first lap I will teach you the tools to identify trees and talk about each one, giving some commentary on the tree's health and origins, and the second lap will be a group quiz (for fun!) and review of what we've learned.
Fall is a wonderful time of the year to learn about trees and it will give you a whole new appreciation for our urban forest as its leaves transition us from one season to the next. This course will provide you with a set of knowledge that you can carry on and share with others as you stroll through Chicago's tree-lined streets and beyond. I hope to turn this course into a series, so stay tuned for more courses, more parks, and more trees!
What to Bring
Smartphones to take pictures, you're welcome to bring pencil/pen and pad if you feel like taking notes that way as well. Walking shoes, comfortable clothing for the weather.
Minimum age
All ages welcome
Prerequisites
No prerequisites required! Hopefully some kind of appreciation for nature :)
What's Provided
Before the class, I will send you all an email with pictures of each of the trees we will be covering for your reference before, during, or after the class. Otherwise no materials will be provided!
Cancellation PolicyLocation
There are currently no upcoming dates scheduled for this Dabble. Log in to an account message the host or add to your bucket list to be automatically notified when new dates are posted.
MORE ABOUT YOUR HOST
Kelsey's lifelong love of trees followed her into her professional life after graduating from Oberlin College in 2012 with a BA in Environmental Studies and Politics. At that time, urban forestry was not her primary career interest, but in light of Chicagoland's emerald ash borer (EAB) crisis which is wiping out thousands of trees, she saw opportunity in this field of growing demand to make a positive change for the natural environment. Plus, it beat sitting in front of a computer all day. Kelsey has worked for two different municipal bodies in their forestry divisions where she launched an educational outreach and fundraising campaign (I Heart Evanston Trees) that raised enough money to replace 100 trees lost to EAB. She has also spent several seasons out in the woods removing invasive plants and trees in order to make more room for more native life. Most recently, she has been working part-time for Morton Arboretum's Community Trees Program office doing some outreach work and assisting in a tree identification mapping project.
EXPERIENCE REVIEWS
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Alyx R.Reviewed on 10/19/15Wonderful class, would definitely recommend. The class goal was to learn how to identify 10 of the most common trees in Chicago, and I left being able to do exactly that. I also learned lots of misc information about trees, Chicago, and the environment. I was surprised at the variety of trees I saw in the city in just one hour! The instructor was very informed and kept the class interesting and fun. 10/10
Wonderful class, would definitely recommend. The class goal was to learn how to identify 10 of the most common trees in Chicago, and I left being able to do exactly that. I also learned lots of misc information about trees, Chicago, and the environment. I was surprised at the variety of trees I saw in the city in just one hour! The instructor was very informed and kept the class interesting and fun. 10/10
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