Photo: student field trip to Woodland Park on February 4, 2017.

Environmental Studies Capstone 600 is a community-based learning course for students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For the spring of 2017, the course theme was Culture and Conservation: Living Ho Chunk History in Monona Parks, instructed by Professor Jessie Conaway from the UW-Nelson Institute. As a product of the UniverCity Alliance, this course partnered with the City of Monona’s Parks and Recreation Department and the Ho-Chunk Nation.

In this course, students researched the cultural history of the Ahuska and Woodland parklands in Monona, examined the intersection of culture and conservation in park history, and observed and surveyed current park practices. With the instrumental guidance of Ho-Chunk Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Bill Quackenbush and Parks and Recreation Director Jake Anderson, students designed park projects that aim to promote cultural awareness in education and recreation, increase the usability and impact of natural spaces, promote innovative sustainable management practices, and build relationships to promote long-term planning for cultural and environmental preservation in Monona City.