Wetland Coffee Break: Chiwaukee Prairie: A conservation story through photos

Chiwaukee Prairie is home to a tremendous amount of biodiversity—more than 450 species of plants, nearly 200 species of birds, and an immense variety of insects. The Wisconsin DNR has said that Chiwaukee is arguably the single most important site to conserve in the entire ecological landscape of Southeast coastal Wisconsin. The international Ramsar Convention on Wetlands agrees and designated the Chiwaukee – Illinois Beach Lake Plain as a Wetland of International Importance in 2015. Join Dr. Dana Garrigan to hear the story of the preservation of Chiwaukee Prairie via a spectacular photographic tour. Dr. Garrigan spent the past two years photographing the unique species found in Chiwaukee’s wetlands and remnant prairie habitats in preparation for a photo exhibit that is now open at the Kenosha Public Museum.

Dr. Dana Garrigan, Carthage College

Recorded January 28, 2022

Dr. Dana Garrigan is a biology professor at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. In addition to teaching courses in conservation biology and ecology, Dr. Garrigan teaches interdisciplinary courses in nature photography and natural history interpretation. His research has focused primarily on insects and plants and has included diverse areas of study including chemical ecology and the effects of climate change on butterflies in Mount Rainier National Park. He serves on the board of directors for the Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund.

Related Content