Miami University
EN-12: Continuing Education

Fall 2019:

Fall Neotropical Migrants: A Closer Look (literally!)
Fall neotropical bird migrants are often a challenge to identify—hence the confusing “fall warblers” label. We will use the AREI bird banding stations to get a closer look at these challenging species. The class will emphasize both bird identification and neotropical bird conservation.

Adventures in Energy Advocacy: Being a Consumer and Community Stakeholder
The way energy is generated, transported, and purchased is dramatically changing. Residential and small business consumers need to be at the discussion table when local decisions are made; if not, they will be part of the menu. It’s time to become an active energy consumer and community stakeholder. From translating utility bills to addressing infrastructure construction projects going across the front yard, residents and small businesses will know their options. They will
have a better appreciation of their rights and responsibilities to ensure energy development projects respect their neighborhood, provide consumer benefits, and enhance community development.

Healthy Earth-Friendly Local Eating at MOON Co-op
Prepare and sample local, seasonal, and sustainable foods with MOON Co-op staff and board members. The key to healthy, local eating is to arrive at the co-op with an open mind and start with whatever is in season: simple and healthy soups, salads, main dishes, side dishes, and desserts, based on what our local growers have raised, harvested, and made.

Discovering Nature in Your Own Backyard
You don’t have to travel far to find inspiration and fulfillment in nature. From microscopic soil life to migrating monarch butterflies to incredible apex predators, you can find them all without ever having to leave your community. Learn how to discover and appreciate the wondrous creatures you may have been overlooking, perhaps even in your own backyard.

Global Climate Change: What Can We in ILR Do Now?
Global climate change is the biggest environmental problem facing not only the U.S. but the entire world. In this class, we will have readings and discussion groups to give practical solutions to
this environmental crisis so that our children and grandchildren will have a better place to live. Topics will include the science of climate change, food, energy, local politics, and ideas from the class participants.

Nature Walks in Miami’s Natural Areas*
The wonders of fall are seen all around us in the Natural Areas. Come walk, see some of these beautiful trails, and be amazed by their beauty, all so close to home. See beautiful woods, streams, birds, and much more. Hikes last about 90 minutes. Dress for the season. The earth trails may be slippery from rain; hiking boots are recommended. Expect to hike up to two miles on hilly terrain. For the first hike, meet in the Dewitt Log Homestead parking lot just east of the Miami horse stables on Route 73. Maps with directions to future hikes will be distributed at the first hike

FNSFA: Fernald Preserve
Enjoy a visit to the Fernald Preserve Visitors Center which celebrates the rich and varied history of the Fernald Uranium Enrichment site. Learn about the Native American history, settlement, farming, uranium production, and environmental cleanup eras, as well as the recent ecological restoration mission.

How Wild is It?
Africa to Yellowstone, waterways to zoos—a myriad of wildlife images. Tips on wildlife photography you can use. Photographing wildlife is a great way to enjoy and understand the wonderful gifts
of nature.

An Eye-Opening Look at Coffee
You don’t have to drink coffee to take this class! Coffee is intimately connected to cultural history, current issues in agriculture, climate change, social justice, globalism, ecotourism, and health. It now appears to be a kind of wonder drug—seriously—especially as people age. Where does coffee come from and what must be done to this tropical product to make it into beverages? How has coffee once again become a great cultural symbol here and abroad? Who makes money on coffee, and what is the situation of coffee farmers today? We will look at coffee from the ground up and will taste various coffees in class. A trip to Oxford Coffee Co. to discuss roasting and its results will be part of the course. We will examine the social and economic life of coffee from its early days in Africa and the Middle East through the first English coffeehouses and, finally, to coffee at the cutting edge of shop design and sophistication today. In January, this instructor will be leading a trip to Hawaii to see where and how coffee is grown and to meet with the farmers. Contact the instructor for trip details.

Midday Lecture Series
Each Monday, the Midday Lecture Series presents a speaker whowill discuss a topic of interest and importance. Plan to bring a brown bag and enjoy an ILR tradition.
– Rethinking Our Food System

Mindful Wellness
The Mindful Wellness curriculum is designed to equip healthy adults with practice and skills to strengthen the mind and body connection and promote holistic health and wellness across the lifespan.

Holistic Health & Wellness
Have you always wanted to sit down with a pharmacist and talk about your health and lifestyle choices for more than five minutes at the pharmacy counter over a prescription medication refill? Well, now is your chance. Learn about topics related to wellness and healing with a unique mind-body-spirit twist. Each presentation will engage the audience in lively pro/con evidence-based conversations about meds vs. supplements vs. mind-body-spirit lifestyle interventions for health.

An Assortment of Sciences
Science is all around us. Come and let us show you how it’s used today in a variety of ways.
-Eyes on the Sky

Afternoon Lectures
Planting Issues: We appreciate the complex world of plants and we interact with its diversity in many ways. Join our speakers to learn how they are responding to some of the challenges in the plant world.
--Why Plant Native?
--Saving the Monarch
--Oh, the Variety in Trees

Friday Matinees (formerly Sundown Cinema): Would You Pass?
Have you ever wondered how your life would be if you changed your religion, ethnicity, gender, or race? Have you ever had to “fake it,” trying to pass as something you were not, or been tempted to do so? Would you want to pass as someone belonging to a privileged group if your own group was persecuted? Would you be able to? We will watch and discuss movies about “passing”

Spring 2019

I Am an American
This class will take a look at five groups that helped mold America into today’s nation. The Native American influence on our country will be the opening lesson. Subsequent topics will include religious groups that came and grew in the United States and the impact of inventors and industrialists on our country. Followed by discussion of the effects of military leaders on our nation, we will close with a look at immigration over the years and the pros and cons of being a nation of immigrants. Our studies will help determine the meaning of “I am an American.”

Midday Lecture Series
Each Monday the Midday Lecture Series presents a speaker who will discuss a topic of interest and importance. Plan to bring a brown bag lunch and enjoy an ILR tradition.
--In Our Own Backyard: The Alba Craft Lab Uranium Mill

Energy Development – Exploring Consumer Responsibilities
Energy consumers are being challenged to assume greater responsibilities for controlling their energy costs. Many are looking at new demand-side management technologies, on-site generation, community aggregation, and utility-sanctioned customer choice projects. This course will explore the variety of program offerings available and help participants as they make decisions on home, farm, and small business energy use.

What’s That Calling in the Night? Frogs and Toads of the
Oxford Area*
Ever wonder what is making those primeval sounds you hear on spring evenings? This class will introduce you to the mating calls of a variety of native frogs and toads. We’ll practice by listening to recordings of the 15 species native to Ohio, although we are likely only to hear as many as eight species in the field. The field portion of the class is not strenuous. A flashlight or headlamp and a trained ear are the only requirements. Mosquitoes are unlikely to be a
problem.

More from Mound on Atomic Energy, Nuclear Management, and the Cold War
This course will describe some diverse activities ranging from work at NCR on Codebreaker efforts in World War II to nuclear technology missions at Mound Laboratory and other nuclear weapons facilities in the Cold War era. The unique properties and various applications of radioactive materials will be covered as well as efforts made by the Department of Energy to rehabilitate former nuclear sites to provide new industrial and commercial roles in the 21st century.

Nature Walks in Miami’s Natural Areas
The wonders of spring are seen all around us in the Natural Areas. Come walk, see some of these beautiful trails, and be amazed by their beauty, all so close to home. See beautiful woods, streams, birds, and much more. Hikes last about 1-1/2 hours. Dress for the season. The earth trails may be slippery from rain; hiking boots are recommended. Expect to hike up to two miles on hilly terrain. For the first hike, meet in the Dewitt Log Homestead parking lot just east of the Miami horse stables on Route 73. Maps with directions to future hikes will be distributed at the first hike.

Spring Neotropical Migrants: A Closer Look (literally!)
Spring neotropical bird migrants are often a challenge to identify—hence the confusing “spring warblers” label. We will use the AREI bird banding stations to get a closer look at these challenging species. The class will emphasize both bird identification and neotropical bird conservation. Rain on Tuesday postpones class until Thursday.

Spring Nature Fling
Enjoy a contemplative walk along the Memorial Loop Trail at Whitewater Memorial State Park and creatively express your experience through mindful photography and reflective writing. Participants can select one of their nature photos and text to be included in an exhibit and a book. NOTE: Memorial Loop trail is rated as moderate walking difficulty.

Miami offers non-credit online career and professional development programs through our partnership with ed2go, a national leader in accessible online education. Through the professional development online instruction center there are many sustainability-themed certificates. An example of two are listed below:

Certificate in Wellness and the Environment
-(9 Contact Hours) This course focuses on the connection between wellness and the environment. You will learn actionable steps to help create and sustain a healthy environment.

-Start Your Own Edible Garden - Learn how to grow delicious, nutritious fruit and vegetables in your own backyard.

Contact Donna Gouvan - gouvandm@MiamiOH.edu