Join guest presenters Jenna John (she/her) and Dani Abboud (they/them) at Oakton's Student Center for a conversation about queer ecology.  Together, we will explore the fullness of possibilities contained in nature, examine the culture of conservation and end with a group restoration activity outdoors.

Speaker Bios:

Jenna John (she/her) is an interdisciplinary artist and ecologist from Michigan.  Her passion for midwestern ecology brought her to Chicago after graduating from the University of Michigan with a BS in ecology and evolutionary biology, a BFA in art and design and a minor in science, technology, and society.  Alongside conservation work in Chicago, Jenna pursues research-derived creative projects that integrate ecological investigations with art, critical theory, environmental history, queer ecology and public engagement.  In doing so, Jenna is cultivating a lifelong creative practice and philosophy that interrogates human-nature relationships to transform conversations in the face of the Anthropocene.

Dani Abboud (they/them) is the Director of Community Programs and Partnerships at Brushwood Center.  Dani builds and maintains Brushwood Center’s partnerships with community organizations, manages program coordination, and oversees the It's A W.I.N. and At Ease programs.  They work with community partners across Lake County to increase equitable access to nature and the arts through community-determined youth and family programs, resource sharing, and curriculum training.  Dani also serves on the leadership team for Out in Nature and is the co-chair of Chicago Wilderness Alliance's JEDI Roadmap Committee and Increasing Equitable Access to Nature Initiative.

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