Twinflower Newsletter of the Friends of Linnaeus Arboretum Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, Minnesota 56082 Volume 15:2 Fall 2003 Linnaeus Symposium 2003 by Cindy Johnson-Groh As a member of the environmental studies faculty (and of the World, published in 2002. He is the recipient of biology as well), it is my job to expose students to the numerous awards including the Lowell Thomas Medal ideas and thinking of great environmentalists. As I (from the Explorer’s Club) and the Lannan Foundation prepare for class, I often muse, “Wouldn’t it be cool Prize in 2002 for literary non-fiction. if the students could meet this person…” So I jumped Davis’s presentation was an articulate mosaic at the opportunity extended to me by the Arboretum of poetic, scientific, and scholarly reflections focusing committee planning its 30th-year anniversary to create on the appreciation and preservation of species a symposium that would feature a world-renowned en- diversity. In particular he spoke passionately about vironmentalist. The Linnaeus Symposium, as it is now the diversity of indigenous people and the importance known, culminated this yearlong celebration of the 30th of recognizing their traditional ways: anniversary of Linnaeus Arboretum. One of the intense pleasures of travel is the The Arboretum was named after the famous opportunity to live among peoples who have Swedish botanist, Carl Linnaeus, who among other not forgotten the old ways, who still feel the things was an ethnobotanist working among the Sami past in the wind, touch it in stones polished by people of Lappland. It was thus rain, recognize its taste in fitting that we should have an the bitter leaves of plants. ethnobotanist, Dr. Wade Davis, as Just to know that nomadic our first symposium speaker. Wade hunters exist, that jaguar Davis is an explorer-in-residence shaman yet journey beyond at the National Geographic the Milky Way, that the Society. He holds degrees in myths of Athabaskan elders anthropology and biology and still resonate with meaning, received his Ph.D. in ethnobotany, is to remember that our all from Harvard University. He world does not exist in some has spent years traveling as a absolute sense but rather plant explorer, living among tribal is just one model of reality. groups in countries around the The Penan in the forests of world. Davis has written several Borneo, the Vodoun acolytes books, including Passage of in Haiti, the wandering holy Darkness and The Serpent and men of the Sahara teach the Rainbow, from his Haitian us that there are other experiences, and One River, from options, other possibilities, his South American experiences. other ways of thinking and One River was nominated for the interacting with the Earth. 1997 Governor General’s Literary Cultural and biological Award for Nonfiction (Canada’s diversity are far more than most prestigious literary prize). the foundation of stability; His other books include Penan: they are an article of faith, Voice for the Borneo Rain Forest, a fundamental truth that Nomads of the Dawn, The indicates the way things are Clouded Leopard, Shadows in supposed to be. If diversity the Sun, Rainforest, and his most Wade Davis visits with a student following his recent book, Light at the Edge presentation at the first Linnaeus Symposium. Davis continued on page 2 2 Linnaeus Arboretum From Boards to Boards Board Members 2003 As we all know, lawns and gardens and arboretums don’t just Ann Basset, Saint Peter, MN (vice president) happen. The matter of upkeep is a never-ending task. There are Judy Biederman, Saint Peter, MN (president) a number of volunteers who made significant contributions to Paul Dumdei, Saint Peter, MN arboretum upkeep during the past summer. Joan Eckberg, Minneapolis, MN (on leave) The Petersons (Bob and Renae) and the Isenbergs (Bob and Denise Fleming, North Oaks, MN Leona) did some amazing weeding in the perennial beds (and in the Frank Gamelin, Saint Peter, MN process learned about intended and unintended plantings in those Don Gordon, North Mankato, MN areas!). And Herb Chilstrom, who as bishop of the Evangelical Don Gustafson, Saint Peter, MN Lutheran Church sat on innumerable boards, shifted his attention Dale Haack, Saint Peter, MN to a different kind of board and constructed a fence around the Byron Hanson, Minneapolis, MN vegetable garden that adjoins the Borgeson cabin. The fence Lloyd Hollingsworth, Saint Peter, MN* was essential as the rabbits of the prairie assumed the vegetable Bob Isenberg, Saint Peter, MN plantings had been done for their benefit. The resulting fence thus provided protection—but it also created a splendid decorative Elder Jackson, Saint Peter, MN (past president) addition to the setting. Brian Johnson, Saint Peter, MN Thanks, people, for your volunteer work! Cindy Johnson-Groh, Saint Peter, MN David and Delores Johnson, Golden Valley, MN (secretary) Davis continued from page 1 Goldie Johnson, Wyoming, MN is a source of wonder, its opposite—the ubiquitous Bea Martinson, Saint Peter, MN condensation to some blandly amorphous and singularly Harriet and Charles Mason, Saint Peter, MN generic modern culture witnessed in all parts of the world—is (treasurer) a source of dismay. There is a fire burning over the Earth, taking with it plants and animals, cultures, languages, Bob and Kay Moline, Saint Peter, MN ancient skills, and visionary wisdom. Quelling this flame Leslie Nielsen, Hastings, MN and reinventing the poetry of diversity is the most important Robert Peterson, Saint Peter, MN challenge of our times. Mary Rehwaldt, Apple Valley, MN Diversity is a good descriptor of Davis. His presentations Mary Solberg, Saint Peter, MN included a wealth of stories arising from his experiences and Loreli Steuer, Edina, MN observations of the plight of indigenous people. In addition to the Fred Struck, Saint Peter, MN Linnaeus Symposium, Dr. Davis visited several classes and with Jane Thompson, Saint Peter, MN faculty and students over meals. These interactions were filled Melanie Thornberg, Walhalla, ND with stories and wisdom taken from his travels and studies of Joe Volk, Saint Peter, MN indigenous cultures in South America, East Africa, Peru, Borneo, Evelyn Young, Edina, MN Tibet, the high Arctic, and Venezuela to name a few. Positive Ex Officio comments were heard from all, but I especially enjoyed the Jim Gilbert, executive director, comments of my students: Linnaeus Arboretum There were many great topics that Davis spoke on in his Dean Wahlund, executive secretary, lecture, and many made me think about my values on life. Friends of Linnaeus Arboretum Davis was by far one of the most engaging speakers I have Jim Isaak, Institutional Advancement liaison ever listened to. He made me realize just how ignorant I am of * honorary board member other cultures. The overwhelming strength of Davis’s talk was his ability with words. He made analogies to the environment that This newsletter is published two times during made one feel as though you had seen the wonders he the academic year by the Office of Public had seen in his travels, such as the forests of a thousand Relations, Gustavus Adolphus College, under shades of green. the supervision of Dean Wahlund, director of special events and executive secretary The first Linnaeus Symposium was a resounding success. Thanks of the Friends of Linnaeus Arboretum, and and appreciation are due to the sponsors of Dr. Davis’s visit, Don Gustafson, newsletter editor. For further including the Environmental Studies program, the Center for information about Friends of Linnaeus Vocational Reflection, Friends of Linnaeus Arboretum, and the Arboretum membership and activities, contact Department of Biology. It is our vision to create a tradition of Dean Wahlund (phone: 507/933-7520; e-mail: annual Linnaeus Symposia that feature environmental speakers [email protected]). who will share their earthly wisdom and inspire us to become better stewards of the living world surrounding us. 3 Seed Money Granted Prairie Daze… Gustavus Adolphus College is a recent recipient of a The Uhler Dedication Minnesota ReLeaf Grant in the amount of $4,000. The grant program of the Minnesota Department of Natural Friends of Linnaeus Arboretum were invited to Resources awarded 57 projects statewide of the nearly Linnaeus Arboretum on October 11, 2003, for “Prairie 80 proposals submitted. Warren Wunderlich, director Daze,” a gala celebration and dedication of the Uhler of the physical plant at Gustavus, and Jim Gilbert, Prairie. The event, part of the Linnaeus Arboretum’s executive director of Linnaeus Arboretum, co-wrote 30th-anniversary celebration series, honored the the successful grant. memory of Francis Uhler, 1924 Gustavus graduate The grant monies will be used to help with the and noted biologist and environmentalist. “seeding” of deciduous trees in the newly opened Gusty winds and a steady drizzle forced those “West-80” acreage of Linnaeus Arboretum. The attending the afternoon event to seek shelter in the western expansion is part of the original master plan Melva Lind Interpretive Center. There, naturalist Jim drawn up in 1975. Following the design of the present Gilbert led off the program, filling in members about 55 acres to the east, the plan will closely replicate the wonders of the prairie, the signs of autumn, and the three principal biomes of Minnesota: the conifer what is currently happening in the arboretum. The forests of the north; the central woodlands; and the dedication ceremony that followed included a bit of prairie of the south and far western borders. prairie poetry as well as the formal rite of dedication. Seeds will be collected from within the local region After the ceremony, Chester Johnson, professor with the planting process to follow early next fall. emeritus of geology, spoke about the significance of the Prairie Overlook, and the nearby Borgeson Family Cabin was open for tours hosted by Bob Douglas, professor of geography, who talked about prairie life and pioneer home construction.