This summer at Madison Public Library a local naturalist will lead a series of workshops, guided walks, and programs in libraries and city green spaces across the city!.
Educators, birding enthusiasts, scientists, artists, writers, waterkeepers, and more were invited to apply to this 6-week residency. Applications closed on Monday, April 15, and we are currently reviewing applications. In the next few weeks we will choose a Naturalist-in-Residence and begin developing the 10+ programs that will take place between July 15-August 23, 2024. Check back here soon for an announcement of the Naturalist, the 2024 theme and upcoming programs for this summer. Thanks to all who applied! We will reach out to each applicant by the end of May to let them know about the residency.
Residency Details:
- Naturalist Stipend: $2,300
- Residency Dates: Must be available for a 6-week residency July 15-August 23, 2024. Applicants are expected to be available to collaborate on program development during the months of May and June.
- Application Period: March 15 - April 15, 2024. APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
The Naturalist-in-Residence program is made possible thanks to a generous donation from Nancy Leff and Kenneth Lerner.
Why A Naturalist?
The goal of the Naturalist-in-Residency project is to encourage our community to explore, learn, and reflect upon our natural world and their place in it, through the guiding vision of an experienced or emerging local naturalist.
Questions? Contact community@madisonpubliclibrary.org (link sends email).
Look Back at Last Year's Naturalist Program
Madison Public Library’s popular Naturalist-in-Residence program returned for its second year in September 2023! In partnership with Madison Parks, nature-based programs for all ages took place in libraries, parks and natural areas across the city of Madison from September 1-30, 2023.
Although the Naturalist-in-Residence program wrapped up at the end of September, really amazing things sometimes live on! We wanted to thank Qwantese for her fantastic leadership during this residency, and for sharing her skills, talents, charm, wit, grace and deep knowledge with us.
Over the course of more than a dozen events, nearly 200 people got to meet and learn from Qwantese. Two of these events were Nature Writing and Meditative Walks to Edna Taylor Conservation Park and Heritage Prairie, where Qwantese encouraged participants to study and write about nature. The results? A stunning painting created by Alina Puente called Fears Buried at Sunset, and a collection of short poems that Qwantese combined to create two collaborative poems - one for each walk location. Click the link to read the poems and view the painting.
You can learn even more about last year's residency on the 2023 Residency: Rooted in Nature page.
Past Years
Qwantese Dourese Winters
