In this lecture, Darrel Morrison will talk about the people and places that have influenced and/or inspired him in teaching and designing nature-based landscapes for more than a half century. These include the one-time prairie landscapes of southwest Iowa, where he grew up on a 160-acre farm in the 1940s; the restored tallgrass prairies at the University of Wisconsin Arboretum; and a variety of protected natural areas. People who were important influences include wildlife ecologist and philosopher Aldo Leopold; landscape architects Jens Jensen and A.E. Bye; and environmental psychologists Steve and Rachel Kaplan.

His own philosophy of landscape design has evolved to include the following goals in designing landscapes: That they be ecologically sound, experientially rich, “of the place”, and dynamic, I.e., changing over time.

Morrison will show examples of landscapes he has designed with these goals in mind: the four-acre Native Plant Garden at the University of Wisconsin Arboretum, initially planted in 2002-3; the native garden at The Old Stone Mill at New York Botanical Garden, planted in 2010; the Native Flora Garden Extension at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, planted in 2013; extensive native tallgrass plantings at Storm King Art Center, planted 1996-2022; native plantings, bringing the “ beauty of the wild” at the Round House in Wilton, Connecticut. Throughout, he will discuss how the principles in these landscapes can be “ brought home” to the places we live and work.

A book signing and dessert reception follow the lecture. $15, $10 for garden members. Pre-registration is required.