Writer’s Choice: Honor Earth Day during upcoming events

In his 1948 masterpiece “A Sand County Almanac,” famed conservationist Aldo Leopold wrote: “A land ethic … reflects the existence of an ecological conscience, and this in turn reflects a conviction of individual responsibility for the health of the land. Health is the capacity of the land for self-renewal. Conservation is our effort to understand and preserve this capacity.”

Leopold passed away in 1948, well before the establishment of Earth Day. But as Wisconsin celebrates its contributions to the greater environmental movement, Earth Day reminds us of the keystone of Leopold’s legacy: the UW Arboretum, an amazing space where research and restoration has taken place since 1934.

The Arboretum’s genesis came in the 1920s and 1930s, as Madison leaders sought to preserve green space around a fast-growing city. The Great Depression brought both affordable land and many workers willing to help establish the first ecological communities, particularly from the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Through their work, the Arboretum introduced the revolutionary concept of ecological restoration: the process of returning an ecosystem or piece of landscape to a previous, usually more natural, condition.

Thanks to dedicated volunteers and people such as Leopold, the Arboretum contains the world’s oldest and most varied collection of ecological communities. The Arboretum encompasses four prairies, three savannas, four deciduous forests, three coniferous forests and five wetlands areas. Three horticultural collections showcase hundreds of trees, grasses and plants native to the state in a layout accessible to both scientists and backyard gardeners.

But the landscape doesn’t just feature new and restored plant life. Places such as Wingra Woods and Gallistel Woods contain ancient burial mounds, relics of a Native American culture that flourished here between 650-1,200 years ago. The ruined structures within the Lost City Forest, remnants of a failed residential area from the early 1900s, remind visitors — now usually on foot or cross-country skis — of the opportunities and hazards of urban plans.

From family friendly walks to special events for trained professionals, the Arboretum is truly a living resource. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise specified.

On Saturday, April 23, events kick off with an Arboretum Ecological Restoration Work Party, featuring a special Earth Day project. From 9 a.m.-noon, participants can celebrate Earth Day by volunteering for restoration activities and learning about native ecosystems. Tools and training are provided; groups are welcome with advance notice.

Volunteers should meet at the Arboretum Visitor Center and dress for the weather (and mud).

The Arboretum is known for its special classes, and this week offers a classic. “Introduction to Birding,” led by an Arboretum naturalist and birding expert, takes place from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The cost is $22 (discount for Friends of the Arboretum members); registration is required. Binoculars and a field guide recommended; dress for indoor and outdoor activities.

Saturday also offers the first of two free screenings of the documentary film “Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and A Land Ethic for Our Time,” at 1:30 p.m. in the Visitor Center. This one-hour, high-definition film explores the life and work of UW–Madison’s world-famous conservationist, who helped establish the Arboretum as part of his deep ecological legacy. Inspiring and beautifully assembled, the film encourages audiences to think about how we can apply Leopold’s ideas to the environmental problems we face today. Arrive early; seating may be limited.

A second screening of the film takes place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, in Room 1520 of Microbial Sciences. This screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Stan Temple of UW–Madison; Susan Flader, University of Missouri; and Curt Meine, senior fellow of the Leopold Foundation. For more information, visit Forest and Wildlife Ecology.

On Sunday, April 24, come to the Visitor Center at 1 p.m. for this week’s Arboretum Walk: “Woodland Wildflowers.” This can be a peak time for spring ephemerals such as troutlily and wood anemone. It is also time to look for returning migrant birds such as house wrens, brown thrashers and kingbirds. The walk will take approximately 90 minutes.

The Native Plant garden takes center stage in a special tour on Wednesday, April 27. At 7 p.m., join staff for “Early Signs of Spring.” As trees and shrubs begin to leaf out, Dutchman’s breeches, anemones and rue-anemones might be blooming in the woodland gardens. In these prairie gardens, visitors may find Pasque flower, prairie smoke and bird’s-foot violet — sure signs of spring.

Finally, May Day (Sunday, May 1) offers two tours sure to set hearts in bloom. Halfway between an equinox and solstice, take the “Flowers of May Day” walk at 1 p.m. with naturalists through the woodland wildflower restorations near the Visitor Center.

In a special event, free narrated tours will be available this week aboard the Badger Trolley. These 45-minute tours will run from the Visitor Center between 1 and 3 p.m. See what’s in bloom in Longenecker Gardens, view our prairies and woodlands in spring color and learn more about the Arboretum’s history and purpose.

For more information, visit Forest and Wildlife Ecology, contact staff at 263-7888 or email the Arboretum.