Friends of the Arboretum
2009-2010 Luncheon Lecture Series
People and Nature -- Exploring a Relationship
Thank you to everyone who has made a reservation for one of our five luncheon-lecture programs of our current series. Due to the unprecedented popularity of this year's lectures, all of these programs are currently sold out. Please contact Sara Minkoff in the Friends office at sminkoff@wisc.edu with any questions about reservations or these programs.
Watch NewsLeaf (the Friends of the Arboretum monthly newsletter) in the summer of 2010 for an announcement of the 2010-2011 luncheon-lecture series and make your reservations early!
Established more than 20 years ago, the Friends of the Arboretum's Luncheon Lecture series features outstanding programs related to the natural world accompanied by a delicious buffet lunch and the opportunity to socialize with others who care and are curious about the environment.
All luncheon-lectures are held from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 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 ($21 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 5, 2010. This year's gift was a set of unique nature-themed note cards featuring artwork created by Friends members.
2009-2010 Luncheon Lecture programs
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Everything Has a Spirit: Native American Beliefs and the Land - Chloris Lowe Filled
Chloris, a member of the Sky Clan of the sovereign Ho-Chunk Nation, has twice served as Ho-Chunk Nation President, held a position with the National Museum of the American Indian-Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, and developed and taught classes in Current Native American Issues at the University of Delaware. Through his consulting business, he has spent more than two decades serving as a liaison between tribal leaders from many Native American nations and government officials, successfully negotiating with U.S. senators, members of Congress, governors, and local officials to develop and bring projects into Indian Country which have benefited both the native and non-native communities. Chloris will talk about the history of the Native American relationship with the land and shed some light on the importance to this connection. (image source - www.americanindian.si.edu)
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
American Medicine in the Amazon: Can You Paddle a Dugout Canoe? - Dr. Linnea Smith Filled
In 1990, UW-Madison Medical School graduate Dr. Linnea Smith took a vacation to Peru, expecting to explore the Amazon jungle, watch the wildlife, and enjoy the sights. Instead, she fell in love with the people and the place, sold her Wisconsin medical practice, and moved to the Amazon rainforest. With support from Rotary Clubs all over the world, including Madison, she has built a clinic, and more than 2,500 patients each year travel by foot or dugout canoe for health care. Dr. Smith was honored for her work in Peru with a 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award from UW-Madison. Her journal writings have been collected in the book La Doctora: The Journal of an American Doctor Practicing Medicine on the Amazon River. She will talk about the challenges and joys she has encountered. Her book will be available for sale at the lecture.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Post-War Recovery of Wildlife in Mozambique: Lessons for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development in Africa - Dr. Rich Beilfuss Filled
Rich Beilfuss began working in Mozambique 16 years ago at the end of its prolonged civil war. He witnessed the aftermath of one of the worst civil wars in Africa, when nearly a million people were killed by warfare and starvation and the once abundant populations of elephant, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, hippo and many other species were lost from the plains of central Mozambique. Since that time, Rich has been involved in efforts to restore wildlife, wetlands, and food security in the region through his work with the International Crane Foundation, World Wildlife Fund and Carr Foundation, as well as a recent period living with his family at Gorongosa National Park, once the epicenter of the civil war. Rich will share the story of the fall and rise of wildlife in Mozambique. (image source - www.gorongosa.net/)
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Voices from the Heart of the Land: Rural Stories That Inspire Community - Richard L. Cates Jr. Filled
From 2001 to 2006, Richard L. Cates interviewed more than 30 families living in and around Arena Township, talking with them about growing up in rural America and a way of life that is vanishing in the twenty-first century. The result, Voices from the Heart of the Land, is a collection of reminiscences, observations, and opinions celebrating the stewardship of the land and the values of the stewards. Dick will read from his book and talk about his experiences in compiling these stories. He is senior lecturer in soil science at the UW-Madison, and he and his family own a pasture-based farm and raise grass-fed beef near Spring Green. He also works internationally with farmer-to-farmer assistance projects, most recently in Nepal, Azerbaijan, China, Honduras and Moldova.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
A Prairie Meditation - Terrill Knaack Filled
A native of the Horicon Marsh area, renowned wildlife artist Terrill Knaack grew up attracted to nature and the visual arts. While has was attending UW-Madison, ornithologist Joseph Hickey introduced him to "the dean of American wildlife art," Owen Gromme. A close relationship developed that led to his working as Gromme's understudy, becoming Gromme's only student. Terrill's paintings have been exhibited in the Woodson Art Museum, Wausau and the National Geographic Society's Explorer's Hall, Washington, D.C., among many other locations around the country. Terrill will present a visual exploration of several remnant prairies, interwoven with selected readings and the music of Native American flutist Christine Bach. His skillful use of the language of light reveals why these sites are more than just a storehouse of rare plants. (image: "Dawn-in-Brandt-Woods" by Terrill Knaack, source - www.terrillknaack.com)
Saturday, June 5, 2010: 9 a.m.
Friends of the Arboretum Annual Meeting - Community Conservation: Around the world and back home again - Dr. Robert Horwich
Join us to celebrate another year of providing enlightening programs, activities and trips for our members, and financial and volunteer support for the Arboretum. The day begins with a buffet breakfast, followed by our business meeting, short reports, and a presentation by Dr. Robert Horwich, award-winning founder and director of Community Conservation, a Wisconsin-based environmental organization working around the world. His program, "Community Conservation: around the world and back home again," will highlight his work empowering local people to protect their home environment. His projects include working with Russians to safeguard wetlands for Eurasian cranes and tree kangaroo conservation in Papua, New Guinea. Rob has recently turned his attention back to Wisconsin, working with organic farmers in the Kickapoo Valley, coordinating research on the endangered ornate box turtle in Southern Wisconsin and creating a management plan for wintering bald eagles along the Wisconsin River. His message is inspirational and provides a successful model for environmental sustainability. As a special bonus to series ticket subscribers, we are including a ticket to the Annual Meeting at a discount. You can also register for this program without purchasing series tickets. (image: tree kangaroo, source - www.conservationvolunteers.com.au)