Part 1
Question 1.
I chose to sit in the empty space of trees between Davis and Riney Fine Arts, on a
wooden bench. I chose this place simply out of convenience, and because I’ve likely passed by
this bench a million times since my journey started at Friends University and I always failed to
welcome it’s gentle embrace mostly because I was just too busy being distracted by life and all
the new things I was experiencing each year.
In January, I chose to sit and observe my surroundings on a very brisk, early Tuesday
morning. The weather during the week of students returning from their holiday break was bitter
to say the least. My fingers were freezing as I took notes about the lack of the typically
ambitious and fearless squirrels, their absence almost as deafening as their presence. The
students rushing from one building to the other like stepping stones to stay warm on their way to
morning classes and crunching on the fresh frost that still covered the ground. The campus itself
was quiet, barely awoken yet, but in the distance, Kellogg rumbled steadily with morning
commuters on their way to work- so steady it almost blended in to create white noise. As my
time began to end, I became painfully aware of the soft breeze biting into the exposed skin on
my face and hands.
In February I chose to journey to my bench on a warm Sunday afternoon. Today I
needed only a light jacket in the shade, enjoying the sound of various chirps and warbles from
the grateful squirrels and birds who, like myself, had been long awaiting the first days of spring. I
could smell the fresh earthy scent that comes from a warm sunny day after months of frost and
snow. When I arrived at the bench, it was damp since the sun had finally thawed the frost that
managed to weave its way into the very foundation of the bench’s infrastructure. The campus
around me was mostly silent as students enjoyed their final moments of the weekend, newly
energized by the warm weather. This time I enjoyed my moments spent on the bench, thankful
to be able to take a breath and relax away from distractions, appreciating how green the grass
seemed now that it was able to almost bloom in the sunlight.
I believe this bench gave me the opportunity to reflect on life, without distractions around
me. I could simply enjoy the simplicity and beauty that can be found on our campus. Had this
project not been assigned, I know I would have continued to become acclimated and overlook
the things that awed me three years ago as a freshman.
Question 2.
Since I am from Northern Wisconsin, I did relate to much of what Aldo Leopold
experienced but two passages in particular spoke out to me. The first being January, when
Leopold experienced the beginning signs of wildlife emerging from the often harsh winters.
Winter in Northern Wisconsin is truly something that if not experienced firsthand, can never truly
be understood, and I felt very connected knowing that the author of this novel had experienced
firsthand the same things I have. Growing up my father and I often snowshoed through our land
on logging and hunting trails. Sometimes we went after a fresh snowfall to experience nature
when it was being cleaned like a white slate, allowing everything to be made new for the spring
months, and other times we went with the objective of finding fallen timber to use as lumber or
firewood for our farm. February also resonated within me since I grew up on a dairy farm,
harvesting fallen trees to provide lumber and firewood for my grandparents. Reading this
Commented [AJ1]: As you continue to write these, I
would try to be as detailed as possible. This will help to
really paint a picture to the reader what you are
experiencing, like Leopold does
Commented [MB2R1]:
Commented [AJ3]: Why do you think so?
Commented [AJ4]: Did you hear anything? Did
anything specifically catch your eye?
Commented [AJ5]: I always love the quietness of a
fresh snowfall
passage, it brought back memories of growing up riding alongside my grandpa in the tractor to
pull trees out to the edge of the woods where we would spend days cutting, splitting, and
stacking face cords with the sun beating down our backs and the crisp morning air in our lungs.
My family always taught us that our land was valuable, and that nothing should ever be wasted
or taken without reason- so when Leopold discusses the various significant time periods the tree
experienced throughout its life cycle, and how it had come to a purposeful end was very familiar
and nostalgic for myself.
3. The history Aldo Leopold shares through the symbolic oak tree is well known in Wisconsin,
and a history that I am proud to share as a fellow cheese head. Although Leopold shared a
great amount of our state’s conservation efforts in this first section, an Oak tree in my home
county would experience two major local things that distinguish Langlade County. The first and
possibly more well-known is the iconic branding of our soil. Langlade County produces a large
portion of major potato, corn, and dairy products throughout the state and country due to its silt-
loam soil. Because the soil was so desirable, it became a conservation effort to enforce stricter
regulations on what chemicals could be used for agriculture as well as how the land could be
used and regulated. The second significant thing my oak tree would experience is the
establishment and creation of REGI (Raptor Education Group Inc.). This is a local 501 (C)(3)
non-profit organization that dedicates itself to the care and rehabilitation of injured or orphaned
bird species and public education of native North American wildlife. REGI has done incredible
work with building awareness and creating a connection with wildlife state-wide. The
conservation efforts and programs they build have been significant and helped reduce the
number of native birds being classified as threatened especially bald eagles and native barn
owls that are often disturbed or displaced from agriculture practices. Although not completely
different from Leopold’s oak tree, mine would have experienced these two events that were very
special to those in our county and something we’ve become very proud of.
4. If I were to plant a new oak seedling, I would hope that in 25 years it would see a shift in the
values of younger generations, from caring less about instant gratification and technology to
caring about their surroundings and their planet for reasons other than it being “trendy”. This
would create a genuine care and compassion for nature and wildlife that many of us have
already lost in our world today- distracted by the materialistic and technological needs we
believe we must obtain in order to find modern happiness. In 50-75 years, I would desire for the
tree to have experienced cleaner air, and used more pure water. This could be accomplished
through the American Government taking the lead in initiating cleaner forms of energy and
better ways of reducing waste. This new government would create laws that would promote
conservation and make it a priority to protect endangered wildlife, build programs to conserve
natural resources, and reduce the damage that our generations have already done. But in 100
years, I would hope the most, that my tree experiences the care, compassion, and effort of
people like our Conservation Biology class– that it would witness real people doing real amazing
things to make a change and recover all that we’ve lost or taken for granted in the past. I truly
believe that if conservation were to be made a top priority by the government and the people of
the U.S. we could inspire others to care for their world’s better. The United States is one of the
Commented [AJ6]: awwww
Commented [AJ7]: Are there any specific examples
you can include here? Like what types of birds?
Commented [AJ8]: Why do you think this has been
lost?
Commented [AJ9]: Created, or experienced?
more advanced nations, with technology and intelligence that is already created that can make
the difference- if only we let it.
5. Throughout Leopold’s writings in the first section he describes the various historical and
legislative aspects in the history of Wisconsin such as the 1930’s Dust Bowl, The “drainage
dream” when coal was extracted from every possible resource in Wisconsin depleting the
marshes, the lack of support for a state forestry establishment, and the various losses and
reintroductions of animals as well as the damages of land in the early 1900’s. This correlates to
the history we learned in chapter one, where European royalty kept private sanctuaries and
unintentionally created the first wildlife reserves, the Washburn expedition of 1870 that lead to
the creation of Yellowstone National Park, etc.… History is so important to understand because
it shows us what’s been done and how we can learn from it to make better decisions in the
future to continue conserving resources. This also relates to chapter three where we discussed
the creation of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS), The Endangered Species Act, and how the various political administrations
affect the legislation that gets approved.
Leopold also discusses various species such badgers, geese, rabbits, and their roles in
nature such as we did in chapters 4 and 2. Aldo Leopold places a high intrinsic value on wildlife,
as well as his colleagues at UW Madison and fellow conservationists such as John Muir. These
species rising from the depths of winter are indicators of the weather, their hibernations, and
their cycle to survive their natural world around them. Leopold’s observations on them
demonstrates his passion for wildlife and conservation while teaching us the value behind
nature.
Commented [AJ10]: Good job on this incorporating
many ideas
Part 2
Question 1.
For the month of March, I continued to sit on my bench outside of Riney Fine Arts
building. For the first weeks of this month I was very sick, and it took a lot of self-convincing to
venture out and complete the assignment. As I carefully chose my afternoon spot over lunch to
avoid interaction and possible contamination of healthy people, I found my spot in the sun and
began to observe. It felt similar to the previous trip in February, again the sun was shining, and it
felt pleasant and refreshing to be outside after the harsh and temperamental winter months. The
squirrels and birds were not as active as I expected for such a fine day, but the sense that they
were there and active was very present by the broken shells and seeds sporadically dotting the
grass. Stains of bird feces lined the sidewalks to show that, unfortunately, the geese were also
becoming aware that spring was here to stay meaning they were too. Something new I enjoyed
was the presence of the choir and band practicing from inside the building, adding a new depth
to my experience. Although I could not make out what they were singing, the choir added a
sweet melody to my gazing and made it much more pleasant. Despite being sick and being
visually unpleasant- many people still passed by saying hi or waving if we were friends. I ended
my venture shortly, and returned to my sanctuary filled with heated blankets, Kleenex, and
soup. However, after I hastily returned to my home, I realized I had felt much better after
experiencing fresh air and some change of scenery. I believe this can be used as an example
for a variety of ailing life experiences. All too often we become stuck in ruts or experience long
Commented [AJ11]: Nice job on the description. Also,
glad the experience made you feel better
Commented [MB12R11]:
