ARBORETUM NEWS (ANNOUNCEMENTS)
Arboretum Celebrates 75 Years
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2009Restoring Land and Enriching Lives since 1934
There is a bit of irony in the fact that the Arboretum was born in, and in many ways owes its existence to our country’s Great Depression, when land was cheap and 200 unemployed young men from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) answered the challenge of establishing the native plantings that gave the Arboretum its start.
As the Arboretum began its 75th anniversary celebration in June, our country was again facing economic challenges and the Arboretum is currently challenged by invasive species, climate change and urbanization.
It was on June 17, the Sunday of graduation week in 1934, when approximately 150 prominent Madison citizens, University of Wisconsin leaders (including Aldo Leopold), and Ho-Chunk Chief Yellow Thunder gathered for the official dedication of the University of Wisconsin Arboretum.
What was then mostly derelict farmland was beginning to be shaped into something new. Just exactly what that would or should be was still being debated among scientists, community leaders, landscape professionals and Chief Yellow Thunder.
But what was ultimately created would be noticed around the world. Early experiments using prairie fires as a land restoration tool, would gain worldwide attention, and the Arboretum would eventually facilitate the birth of a new science: restoration ecology.
And at the same time, this environmental jewel would become cherished by thousands of people who call the Madison area home.
For 75 years the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum has been dedicated to restoring the land, advancing the science and practice of ecological restoration, and fostering Aldo Leopold’s land ethic.
Three generations of dedicated staff, students, faculty, and volunteers have created a rich landscape at the Arboretum, renowned for its prairies, savannas, forests, wetlands, and for the beauty of its gardens.
Each year thousands of people are rewarded and inspired by their visits here. The yearlong 75th Anniversary celebration will honor the Arboretum’s rich history and look ahead to future challenges and opportunities.
The Arboretum invites the community to attend, learn and connect through the following workshops, UW-Madison seminars, symposia, performances and run, as well as many other collaborative community events.
Upcoming public events
- Arboretum Class: A Flurry of Winter Poetry – Sunday, February 21 – 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Here in Wisconsin, winter is a great time to think about poetry. As the natural world slows down or naps beneath a blanket of snow, humans turn inward and wax reflective. This workshop begins with a guided hike through the Arboretum to look for nature activity, then finishes with poetry writing indoors over warm drinks. No experience with nature or poetry is necessary. Instructors: Mary Linton-wetland biologist, ecologist and published poet; Tod Highsmith-ornithologist, naturalist and poet. Registration required. Fee is $34; $30 for members of Friends of the Arboretum. Register and pay online.
- Madison Reads Leopold – Saturday, March 6
As part of the Madison area’s celebration of Aldo Leopold Weekend, there will be a free, public reading of Sand County Almanac and other works at the Visitor Center. An eclectic mix of readers from various segments of the Madison community will read selected essays detailing Leopold’s phenological observations as well as his conservation philosophy. - The Man Who Planted Trees – Saturday, April 10, 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
This play, held at the Overture Center in Madison, is a mesmerizing adaptation of Jean Giono’s environmental classic about a shepherd who sets out with his dog to plant a forest and transform a barren wasteland. It’s a story that shows the difference one man?-?and his dog?-?can make in the world. Most enjoyed by children ages 7-13. The Arboretum is collaborating with Madison’s Overture Center by providing an hour-long activity, “making a woodland habitat,” between shows. - Life Cycle of a Tree – Sunday, April 11, 12:30 to 4 p.m. Our Earth Partnership for Families program will be offering activities to complement the content of the previous day’s “The Man Who Planted Trees” performance. Held at the Visitor Center. At this drop-in event, families can explore trees during their different stages of growth and plant a tree seedling to take home. During this event only, the Arboretum bookstore will offer a 15 percent discount for anyone that has a ticket stub from either of the April 10 Overture Center performances.
- Camp We-Kan-Tak-It – Sunday, May 29, at 2 p.m. Come to the Arboretum and enjoy this musical comedy developed by Voices Theater and Milwaukee Public Theatre. “We Can Take It” was the slogan for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The multi-media show incorporates original pictures and drawings, songs and stories. The Arboretum is the site of Camp Madison, one of the largest CCC camps in the nation.
- Dr. Peter H. Raven “Aldo Leopold: Where are we now?” – Thursday, June 10 Raven, a leading botanist and advocate of conservation and biodiversity with a notably international outlook, is president of the Missouri Botanical Garden and George Engelmann Professor of Botany at Washington University in St. Louis. His presentation will focus on his belief that what kind of world we will have in the future will depend on the actions we take now.
If you have any questions on the 75th Anniversary or surrounding events, please share these with Jennifer at jskolaski@wisc.edu or call 608-890-2555.