A University of Wisconsin Arboretum Narrative: Changing Landscapes and Changing Meaning

Abstract

As societies change, so too does their relationship with the land. These changing relationships are reflected in and imprinted upon the land on which they live. In order to demonstrate how the landscape of the UW Arboretum has mirrored this changing association with nature through time, we have conducted an environmental history which focuses on four vignettes representing major changes in this relationship. Through research of primary data sources such as historical newsletters, observation, and plat map analysis our research shows that the Arboretum is a palimpsest of landforms and meaning resulting from these changing relationships.