Accent on Natural Landscaping

Donna VanBuecken

Hugh Iltis to be inducted into WCHF

The Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame (WCHF), the only such Hall of Fame in the USA is inducting Hugh Iltis this year. Hugh was a major force in a number of conservation endeavors in Wisconsin, and was also called upon by Wild Ones to share his knowledge of botany during the early days of its formation. His technical bulletin Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora published in 2000 is still being used today.

One of only a few virgin prairies left in Wisconsin, Chiwaukee Prairie has many vascular plants, animals and lichens such as the endangered Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis). Wild Lupine is the host plant for the federally endangered Karner Blue Butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis). Located in the southeast corner of Wisconsin and into Illinois its preservation is quite a story. Photo by Eric Howe, courtesy of Chiwaukee Prairie.

In 1960, Hugh co-founded The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin and championed its efforts to protect natural areas by serving on its Board, providing technical and scientific advice on acquisitions, and working with landowners to protect some of Wisconsin’s most unique ecosystems such as the Baraboo Hills and Chiwaukee Prairie. He was a collaborator with Lorrie Otto and many other conservationists to ban DDT in Wisconsin and in America. During much of his time at UW-Madison’s Botany Department, Hugh was the Director of the UW Herbarium. [Read more…]

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

From time to time I may write about something that’s not entirely related to natural landscaping but gets me on my peach crate. This is one of them. On January 10, 2017 the US Department of the Interior (DOI) formally assigned the National Park Service (NPS) the responsibility for the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park in Auburn, New York. This new park commemorates the work of Harriet Tubman who was active in women’s suffrage and other abolitionist and humanitarian causes.

Included in the park is Harriet Tubman’s home located on Parker Street along with two structures instrumental in her humanitarian work: the Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church and the Rectory. All will now be managed by the NPS.

Earlier in 2014, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park was designated as a national historical park in Cambridge, Maryland. What a wonderful way to highlight the extraordinary legacy and life’s work of this remarkable woman — Harriet Tubman.

Click on photo to read complete details about dedication of the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. Photo courtesy of USDOI.
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March is Women’s History Month – Lorrie Otto

Lorrie in her library in her home at Bayside, Wisconsin. Photo from Tapestry of Learning.
Lorrie in her library in her home at Bayside, Wisconsin. Photo from Tapestry of Learning.

During the month of March, the United States celebrates Women’s History Month and I would be remiss if I didn’t add to the list of notable women being celebrated Lorrie Otto. Lorrie, whose campaign to use native plants and natural landscaping to heal the Earth after she and her cohorts from CNRA successfully banned DDT in Wisconsin led to the founding of Wild Ones, is one of my heroes. Her spirit and determination not to take “NO” for an answer when she knew she was right is something to which we can aspire.

Some have suggested I write Lorrie’s biography. I’m giving that some thought. What an exciting story to write —

Lorrie Otto at the 1999 Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Sentry Theater, Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Shown left to right: Dave Kopitzke, Lorrie Otto, Bret Rappaport
Lorrie Otto at the 1999 Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Sentry Theater, Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Shown left to right: Dave Kopitzke, Lorrie Otto, Bret Rappaport

Lorrie was inducted in the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame in 1999.

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