Maggie Lorenz and Monica Bryand present: Restoring Honor, Connections, and Land at Wakaŋ Tipi
Maggie Lorenz is the executive director of Wakaŋ Tipi Awaŋyaŋkapi (WTA), a native-led environmental nonprofit in Saint Paul whose mission is to honor and care for our natural places and their sacred sites and cultural value.
The organization’s main work site is Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary, the site of a sacred cave called Wakaŋ Tipi (dwelling place of the sacred). Her work centers on restoring honor, ecosystems, and community connection to the land and natural world here as stewards and protectors. Part of this work is engaging community to create and care for bird habitat as part of the Mississippi River Twin Cities Important Bird Area. WTA also engages community in bird monitoring and birding education through public programs in partnership with the Urban Bird Collective, a nonprofit founded by Monica Bryand. The Urban Bird Collective works to create safe and welcoming spaces for all communities to come out and explore birding and the outdoors.
Maggie Lorenz (Dakota/Anishinaabe) is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe and has maternal ties to Spirit Lake Dakota Nation. She has served as executive director for Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi for the past 5 years. She is also a leader with the Urban Bird Collective.
Monica Bryand is the current Co-Executive Director at Voices for Racial Justice and moving into the full-time Executive Director at the Urban Bird Collective. Monica has been involved with Audubon Saint Paul conservation committee and join the board in 2023. Monica also serves on the board of Hawk Ridge and the Great River Passage.
The presentation will also be available via Zoom.
