Friends of the Arboretum
2008-2009 Luncheon Lecture Series
People and Nature -- Exploring a Relationship
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 1:30 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. Individual 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 6, 2009. This year's gift is a set of unique nature-themed note cards featuring artwork created by Friends members.
When purchasing the entire series package, series tickets will be sent upon receipt of your reservation. Series tickets are transferable; please call the office (608.263.7760) when transferring tickets to someone else. Reserve with friends and enjoy the programs together!
Luncheon-lecture reservations are required one week in advance. We will send confirmation of your individual program reservations by postcard and we will contact you promptly if the program is full. Refunds, available on individual tickets only, will be given upon request for reservations canceled one week prior to the event. Please make your reservations early as seating is limited. Dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice at least one week prior to program date.
Download a luncheon lecture registration form.
2008-2008 Luncheon Lecture programs
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Chasing the Ghost Birds: Saving Swans and Cranes from Extinction - David Sakrison
Something in swans and cranes - their size, their beauty, their haunting calls, their fidelity to their mates, their exuberance in dance or in flight - touches our imagination. Even though we are captivated by these birds, we have not always treated these magnificent birds with reverence or respect. We nearly made ghosts of them, driving them from their habitats and hunting them to near extinction. But with ingenuity, determination and hard work, we are restoring trumpeter swans and whooping cranes to their historic ranges, and giving the seriously-threatened Siberian cranes another chance at survival. In his new book, Chasing the Ghost Birds, Wisconsin author David Sakrison tells the story of these three magnificent species and the people who are working diligently to save them. George Archibald, co-founder of the International Crane Foundation, calls the book "a remarkable chronicle" told with "balance, accuracy and lucid detail."
Thursday, November 20, 2008
American Wildlife Art - Dave Wagner
Bookshelves abound with accounts of wildlife artists and their artistry, but no book is truly comparable to American Wildlife Art. In his insightful accounts of the artists, events and trends at the heart of this uniquely American art form, David Wagner explains how American wildlife art has evolved, how it has been influenced by changing ideas about animals and their habitats, and how artists and entrepreneurs developed and influenced the market for wildlife art. David's authoritative and even-handed prose brings this compelling art form to life, reminding us of the treasures found on America's wild lands. David has been a juror for the U.S. Department of Interior Federal Duck Stamp competition; consultant for the National Wildlife Art Museum in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; consultant for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute; and director of the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum where he was instrumental in forming this museum's Birds in Art exhibit.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Carnivorous Plants of Wisconsin - Terre Golembiewski
For Terre Golembiewski, carnivorous plants are a passion. As laboratory manager at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, she maintains a collection of carnivorous plants, teaches the fun-filled Young Scholars course "The Weird, Wild, Wacky and Wonderful World of Carnivorous Plants" for second through fourth grade students, has written numerous regionally published articles, and speaks to a wide variety of groups on this topic. Terre has studied the water chemistry and vegetation of fens, conducted research on Wisconsin carnivorous plants, and been a board member and Education Coordinator for the International Carnivorous Plant Society. She will share her enthusiasm for carnivorous plants and her credo: "biology is life."
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Birding Across Argentina - Bill Volkert
Join us to explore the unique and diverse environments of Argentina with veteran traveler Bill Volkert. Bill, Horicon Marsh Wildlife Educator and Naturalist for DNR, is an accomplished photographer, world explorer and expert birder. In 2008, he and his wife Connie spent three and a half weeks traveling across Argentina from the vast eastern grasslands to the rainforests at Iguazu Falls and on to the Andean mountains in the west, exploring remote areas and searching for rare birds. Because of this trip, Bill's life list now exceeds 2,200 species with many memorable Argentinean birds added to his international wildlife experiences. This presentation will focus on the diverse landscapes that comprise Argentina - its many environments, rich wildlife and interesting people. An engaging and entertaining speaker, Bill will share his experiences and adventures exploring this vast and distinctive country and delight us with his expert photography.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Ancient Art: Native American Rock and Cave Art in Wisconsin - Dave Lowe
Wisconsin has achieved significant attention in rock art research only within the last decade. Since he began exploring southwestern Wisconsin in 1986, Dave Lowe has uncovered 87 previously unknown sites where native art has been carved into or painted onto the surface of the area's sandstone. His dedication to the discovery of native rock art has more than tripled the known Wisconsin sites during this time. Lowe says there are more examples of native rock art in Iowa County alone than in any area east of the Mississippi River. These art works consist of geometric shapes, animal and plant forms, and hunting scenes found in over half of the overhanging stone shelters and fissure caves that sheltered prehistoric Wisconsin natives. Dave will share stories of his discoveries and photographs of his findings.
Saturday, June 6, 2009: 9 a.m.
Friends of the Arboretum Annual Meeting - Aldo Leopold: The Last Radio Show - Mike Irwin
Please join us as we celebrate another year of providing interesting and enlightening programs, activities and trips for our members, and financial and volunteer support for the Arboretum. We will start the day with a delicious buffet breakfast, followed by our business meeting and short reports. We'll end the morning with a dramatic performance by Mike Irwin as Aldo Leopold. Leopold is Wisconsin's adopted and beloved spokesman for our state's natural world known for his lasting ideas and evocative writing. His poetic, droll reflections were passed down in A Sand County Almanac and other essays full of lasting lyric beauty, wit, and vision. In Mike Irwin's dramatic performance, audiences meet Leopold as the professor speaks before his WHA College of the Air audience one last time. To prepare for this role, Mike worked with many members of the Leopold family to ensure an authentic presentation as Aldo Leopold. As a special bonus to series ticket subscribers, we are including a ticket to the Annual Meeting at a discount.