Friends of the Arboretum
2010-2011 Luncheon Lecture Series
People and Nature -- Exploring a Relationship
All luncheon-lectures are held from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Arboretum Visitor Center Auditorium. A buffet lunch is served at 11:45 a.m., with the program beginning at approximately 12:30 p.m.
Luncheon-lectures are $18 for members ($22 for non-members). Series tickets, available to members only, are $95 per person and include guaranteed seating, a bonus gift, and a discounted ticket to the Annual Meeting on Saturday, June 4, 2011.
This year's gift is a pocket-sized Field Guide to Roadside Wildflowers. When purchasing the entire series package, series tickets will be sent upon receipt of your reservation. All tickets are transferable; please call the office (608.263.7760) when transferring tickets to someone else. Reserve with friends and enjoy the programs together!
We will send confirmation of your individual program reservations by postcard and will contact you promptly if the program is full. Refunds, available on individual tickets only, will be given upon request for reservations canceled at least two weeks prior to the event. Please make your reservations early as seating is limited. Dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice at least two weeks prior to program date.
Download a luncheon lecture registration form.
2010-2011 Luncheon Lecture programs
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The Sacredness of Water - Patty Loew Filled
Patty Loew is a producer for Wisconsin Public Television and host of In Wisconsin, a weekly program spotlighting stories about Wisconsin people, places and issues. Patty is also an associate professor in the UW-Madison Department of Life Science Communications, an enrolled member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe and an award-winning author of several books, including Indian Nations of Wisconsin: Histories of Endurance and Renewal (Wisconsin Library Association's 2002 Outstanding Book Award) and Native People of Wisconsin (Wisconsin Writers Council's 2003 Best Juvenile Non-fiction Award). Her recent documentary, "Way of the Warrior," examining the role and cultural meaning of Native American military service in the 20th Century, received the 2008 Unity Award from the Radio and Television News Directors Association. This presentation will examine the relationship between Native American cultures and water in the landscape, and will use written and oral testimonies from tribal elders and leaders to demonstrate how science and myth are congruous to Native People.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The Urban Wilderness Project: Experiencing Nature in a Metropolitan Region - Eddee Daniel Filled
Award-winning Milwaukee-area photographer and writer Eddee Daniel explored the Menomonee River watershed in metropolitan Milwaukee over 6 years to document the conditions and help people understand their local environment. His photographs and reflections have been published by the Center for American Places, as Urban Wilderness: Exploring a Metropolitan Watershed. This book is a testimony to the discovery that not only is nature present in the city, but the city is inseparable from nature. Eddee's goals are to illustrate the interconnections between the natural and built environments, between urban, suburban, and rural communities, and between wildlife and people, encourage awareness that watersheds transcend political boundaries, celebrate the wealth of nature existing within an urban setting, and inspire people to experience nature for themselves. He hopes this will lead people on a voyage of discovery, not of faraway lands, but our own backyard, for it is far more important to discover where we are than to seek out new places.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Nature's Second Chance: Restoring the ecology of Stone Prairie Farm - Steve Apfelbaum
Aldo Leopold wrote, "A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it does otherwise." Few have taken Leopold's vision more to heart than Steven Apfelbaum, senior ecologist and scientist with award-winning ecological consulting firm Applied Ecological Services, Inc. Over the last 30 years, he transformed his 80-acre Stone Prairie Farm into a biologically diverse ecosystem of prairie, wetland, spring-fed brook, and savanna. In healing his land, he demonstrates how humans can play a starring role in healing the planet. For this presentation, Steven will share his story and resulting book about restoring his farm from an agricultural landscape to one teeming with prairies, wetlands, and the native plant and animal species that historically called it home. Nature's Second Chance was named one of the top 10 environmental books of 2009.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Lake Sturgeon: Ancient Mystery of the Great Lakes - Ron Bruch
Lake sturgeon, ancient fish native to the Great Lakes region that can grow to be more than 6 feet long, have teetered on the brink of extinction since the late nineteenth century. But in Wisconsin, careful management for over 100 years allowed them to thrive. But after the 1800s lake sturgeon populations in the Great Lakes crashed due to over-fishing and the destruction and pollution of their spawning beds. They are now a threatened species. Ron, Wisconsin's lake sturgeon coordinator and senior fisheries biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, has dedicated his entire career to saving the lake sturgeon. He was prominently featured in the recent award-winning IMAX film "Mysteries of the Great Lake"s and co-authored "People of the Sturgeon: a love affair with an ancient fish." Ron will talk about the history of the cultures surrounding lake sturgeon in Wisconsin and will include photos, artifacts, and a few good fish tales.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Listen to the Land: Conservation Conversations - Dennis Boyer
Dennis Boyer, Dodgeville author and lawyer active in conservation activities, offers a broad collection of thoughts and commentary on the environment and how we relate to it with his latest book, Listen to the Land: Conservation Conversations. Inspired by years of talking with farmers, foragers, loggers, tribal activists, anglers, and nature lovers of all dimensions, Dennis has created a fascinating conversation that invites readers to ponder their own roles in the environment. The nearly 50 voices included in this book cross generations, genders, and geography, including an Ojibwe leader contemplating nuclear waste, a houseboat dweller, an edible plants enthusiast, and a Milwaukeean fighting urban blight. His book brings us to ask " How do I interact with the Earth? " and will encourage us to enter into a deeper relationship with nature as a result of answering this question.
Saturday, June 4, 2011 - 9 a.m.
Friends of the Arboretum Annual Meeting - Morningstar Tapestry with Debra Morningstar
Please join us as we celebrate another year of providing interesting and enlightening programs, activities and trips for our members and financial and volunteer support for the Arboretum. We will start the day with a delicious buffet breakfast, followed by our business meeting and short reports. We'll end the morning with a presentation from Debra Morningstar, enrolled member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and a professional storyteller. Her lively exploration of the Native American worldview includes ceremonies, traditions, and spirituality. She brings along a " traveling cultural museum, " with moccasins, beadwork, corn husk dolls, basketry and more. It is her hope that she honors the Spirits of her ancestors by sharing her culture through education and storytelling. As a special bonus to series ticket subscribers, we include a ticket to the Annual Meeting at a discount.