Bright ideas bud for 'Friends' of Arb

By Laura Lemire
For the Daily

Professors, artists, merchants, architects and scientists from the "Friends of Nichols Arboretum" program took to the Arb last Friday morning to generate ideas on building a stronger relationship between the environment and the local community.

"We are trying to get people to use the Arb," said Harry Morton, director of the Arb. Morton stressed the importance of representatives from a variety of interests working together to build the desired environmentally conscious community. "We are working to reach out to the community by creating teams from different disciplines," Morton said.

ADRIANA YUGOVICH/Daily Two men canoe on the Huron River in the Nichols Arboretum yesterday. Friday, artists and professors met in the Arb to discuss ways to promote attendance in the park.

Before walking from the School of Public Health to the Arb, former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Hass encouraged the group of about 40 people to brainstorm ideas for development of the Arb by discussing the success of the national literary project he started, "River of Words."

Hass developed the program to foster a relationship between the arts and the environment for students ranging from kindergarten to high school. The program will serve as a model for the "Friends of Nichols Arboretum."

Hass also addressed the ongoing struggle to improve environmental policy.

"Recent environmental politics can be compared to 19th century government policy with Native Americans," Hass said. He described both policies as consisting of a series of retractions and broken promises.

Once in the Arboretum, the group divided into smaller teams to brainstorm ways to bring more visitors to the Arb. One small group engaged in a lively discussion on the future of the Arb.

New ideas sprouted, including the placement of benches throughout the park, the construction of an amphitheater for live performances as well as areas with seating for classes.

The group discussed programming events with long-term hospital patients, local schools, international students and residents of Mary Markley Residence Hall.

"Markley is an important audience," said Donna Wessel-Walker, an LSA Honors Program advisor. She said programs that give Markley residents a genuine interest in the conservation of the Arb would prevent students from partying and leaving beer cans in the area.

Bob Grese, an SNRE professor, expressed the importance of student involvement in conserving the Arb. "Holistic approaches such as Project Serve (a community service group) give students a sense of ownership through involvement." Grese said.

While most of the group supported development that would attract more visitors, others felt conserving the natural environment of the Arb was crucial.

LSA senior Lisa Delafuente said construction in the Arb would take away from its value as a student escape.

05-18-98