August 2021
Michael Hansen is the Land Care Manager at the UW-Madison Arboretum where he oversees field work including invasive species management and the prescribed fire program. Michael will provide an overview of the Arboretum’s invasive species management program, including common invasive species and identification, strategies and methods for management at different scales, and challenges faced when working within an urban landscape.
The 1,240-acre University of Wisconsin Arboretum is a unique collection of remnant and restored prairies, oak savannas, woodlands, and wetlands located in the heart of Madison. Arboretum staff are also responsible for overseeing eleven outlying properties, seven of which are designated State Natural Areas, comprising another 500 acres.
Michael also assists with research, outreach, and a variety of other tasks carried out by the Arboretum team. His career in conservation has spanned 20 years across several states and one Canadian province, with a primary focus on prairie ecology and restoration. He has a B.S. in Natural Resource Management from The Ball State University and an M.S. in Plant Biology from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.