At Wilsonart, understanding the role we can play in preserving the environment is every bit as important as crafting innovative and inspiring products.
For decades, architects and designers have specified wood to bring warmth and beauty to their work. Many of these professionals believe that since trees can be replanted, they’re a renewable resource. Unfortunately, our ecosystems are complicated, and this perception is incorrect. While trees are renewable, forests are not. Many of the vibrant, diverse tree species across the globe are endangered or threatened. Additionally, trees are being harvested from protected forests which also damages our ecosystem. We know that using responsibly sourced wood is already a priority for architects and designers. This is an important start. However, we’ve discovered a lack of understanding within the industry about which woods and forests are endangered or threatened. Wilsonart’s UNDERSTANDING WOOD: SOURCING AGAINST THE GRAIN is designed to fuel architects and designers with the resources, support and educational opportunities that will further enhance their knowledge of endangered and threatened woods.
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Wilsonart conducted a national survey of architects and designers and learned that these professionals need more information about the materials they specify, particularly when it comes to natural resources. Read more about the survey findings or view the full infographic.
Bridging The Gap
Most respondents have a limited awareness of endangered wood. Respondents understand environmental implications, but there is a knowledge gap related to regulations and facts.
On October 3, 2018, Wilsonart hosted its second annual National Day of Learning. This one-day event provided information and tools to help architects and designers specify non-endangered wood for their projects. Grace Jeffers, thought leader, design historian and materials expert, presented two live-streamed CEU sessions on the topic of Global Forestry. In addition, she has written DESIGN FOR GLOBAL FORESTRY, a white paper which explores endangered woods, protected forests and alternative materials. Also, view a list of environmental stewardship resources.
On October 3, 2018, Wilsonart hosted its second annual National Day of Learning. This one-day event provided information and tools to help architects and designers specify non-endangered wood for their projects. Grace Jeffers, thought leader, design historian and materials expert, presented two live-streamed CEU sessions on the topic of Global Forestry. In addition, she has written DESIGN FOR GLOBAL FORESTRY, a white paper which explores endangered woods, protected forests and alternative materials. Also, view a list of environmental stewardship resources.
Founded in 1928, INTERLOCHEN ARTS ACADEMY is one of the country's preeminent high schools for young artists. Wilsonart has underwritten an interdisciplinary class where students explore conservation issues and the critical role forests play in the delicate balance of nature. In addition to the class, Wilsonart's grant provides stipends for visiting guest artists to collaborate with the students and explore how art, creativity and imagination can be used to raise awareness of healthy eco systems. Finally, Wilsonart's grant is helping to transform a plantation forest on Interlochen's campus into a thriving, native forest. Blog posts, pictures and videos from the students help us follow along on this journey.
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In 1963, Jack Hood became Interlochen Arts Academy’s first instructor of ecology. Hood, who planned the Academy’s first Earth Day celebration, often took his students on field trips to Interlochen’s Riley Woods property. Fifty-five years later, the Art of Ecology project is carrying on his work by creating safe, environmentally friendly spaces for students to study the ecosystems of Bridge Lake.
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Now in its third year, the Art of Ecology project is led by Mary Ellen Newport, Ph.D., who works with Academy students to turn the campus’ pine plantation back into a native forest.
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After a selective logging, Art of Ecology students plant native species to increase the biodiversity of Riley Woods. Support for this project was provided by Wilsonart.
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Art of Ecology students present a special Earth Day convocation, sharing their knowledge with their peers through original songs and dances. Support for this project was provided by Wilsonart.
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Art of Ecology students use art to convey what they have learned about the ecosystem of the Riley Woods. Support for this project provided by Wilsonart.
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Guided by Instructor of Ecology Mary Ellen Newport and guest artist Lydia Hicks, a new group of Interlochen Arts Academy students explore the changing environment of the Riley Road pine plantation. Support for this project provided by Wilsonart.
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Have you ever been in a science class where you were bored to death? Me too.
After years of biology, chemistry, even advanced chemistry, I felt bored out of my mind. Now, for the first time in my academic career, I am finally enjoying my science class. I’m taking ecology, and my teacher believes in taking full advantage of the wonderful environment that surrounds us as part of education. Our Ecology class is helping to return a pine plantation to a natural forest, and our efforts can serve an artistic purpose as well. I’ve never been more inspired by environmental work in my life. Not only do we get to have hands on opportunities to help in the process, but we were provided with an amazing assortment of filming technology to document and capture the habitat in all of its beauty.
Environmental artist Mary O’Brien explains how she is working with fellow artist Daniel McCormick and Interlochen Arts Academy students to restore the Riley Woods environmentally and aesthetically. Support for this project provided by Wilsonart and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.
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Art of Ecology students explain the importance of reforestation, their collaboration with guest artists Mary O’Brien and Daniel McCormick, and using art to express scientific ideas.
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This year Interlochen Center for the Arts has begun a project to unite science and art in transforming a pine plantation into a beautiful native forest. Director of the R.B. Annis Math and Science Division Mary Ellen Newport and Director of Visual Arts Mindy Ronayne explain the ecological and artistic intent of the project, and the many partners working to make this collaboration possible.
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In the fall of 2017, Interlochen Arts Academy launched an initiative that explores the nexus of art and ecology, as a collaboration between the Visual Arts and R.B. Annis Math and Science Divisions. Watch as co-instructors Mary Ellen Newport and Johnson Hunt describe the mission, objectives and learning outcomes of this bold program. Support for this project provided by Wilsonart and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.
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To return the mature pine plantation on Interlochen’s campus to a natural, healthy state, the Interlochen community needs to address several ecological issues. These issues are soil quality, biodiversity and the amount of carbon stored in plantation trees.
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Interlochen Arts Academy (IAA), nestled between Duck Lake to the east and Green Lake to the west, is an Ecology teacher's dream. "In the stately pines" of northern Michigan, IAA educates high school arts students from around the USA and the world. With a full academic and boarding school program, arts students can dive into their disciplines with the finest teachers and peers. I came to the Academy six years ago to head the R.B. Annis Math and Science Division, and to teach Ecology. Through a wonderful series of connections, Wilsonart approached us about a collaboration that will weave their commitment to education about endangered woods and forests with a unique approach to art and ecology.
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WILSONART SUPPORTS FORESTRY STUDIES AT IAA
Welcome to Ecology @ Riley Woods blog post series. Ecology students at Interlochen Arts Academy are supported for the second year by Wilsonart. Ash and Carter write the first post:
Have you ever been in a science class where you were bored to death? Me too.
After years of biology, chemistry, even advanced chemistry, I felt bored out of my mind. Now, for the first time in my academic career, I am finally enjoying my science class. I’m taking ecology, and my teacher believes in taking full advantage of the wonderful environment that surrounds us as part of education. Our Ecology class is helping to return a pine plantation to a natural forest, and our efforts can serve an artistic purpose as well. I’ve never been more inspired by environmental work in my life. Not only do we get to have hands on opportunities to help in the process, but we were provided with an amazing assortment of filming technology to document and capture the habitat in all of its beauty.
On our first trip out to the Riley Woods, our Ecology class headed south down the path. On the east horizon was the sun (morning) but gradually it moved to be right above us (noon) by the time we left the woods. Visiting artists had trekked through the same trail and painted the tips of tree stubs red for the œaesthetic.� We learned that some trees had been cut down to stubs to allow light to enter the woods.
But why make a pine plantation? Why plant white pines (distinguished by having five pine needles in a bunch and a dark bark) and red pines (distinguished by having two pine needles in a bunch and, self explanatory, red bark)? When people voyaged to Michigan years ago and exploited the land, they realized the soil was made of sand and considered it poor soil. Because it's difficult to farm on, they planted trees.
But why make a pine plantation? Why plant white pines (distinguished by having five pine needles in a bunch and a dark bark) and red pines (distinguished by having two pine needles in a bunch and, self explanatory, red bark)? When people voyaged to Michigan years ago and exploited the land, they realized the soil was made of sand and considered it poor soil. Because it’s difficult to farm on, they planted trees.
On our hike, we also found many mushrooms that sprouted from the intense rainfall and there was even a slug feeding off the nutrients that the mushroom was repurposing. The fauna of the forest hid from us, except for one small American Toad. Many students, including Zach and Carys, got to hold this toad in their hands until she hopped away.
Finally, we came to a clearing, œThe North Coop,� where (guest artist) Lydia Hicks waited for us with equipment. In this section we were joined by the head of Motion Picture Arts and Interlochen Public Radio. We were introduced to solar panels and power packs, a time lapse camera, audio recorders, and an endoscopic camera. We also got to see a camera marketed as a œghost hunting camera� which shoots in infrared for night time videoing (in case anyone has some œcreative� ideas for their artist in residence projects¦), a location tracking camera, and a canon 5D with a macro lens or telephoto lens.
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Teacher's note: Students at Interlochen Arts Academy come to study arts in seven different arts areas, in addition to taking a traditional high school science, math and humanities curriculum. This blog post represents the work of two students; one, a creative writing major, and the other a music major. Both pieces were written over the course of Spring Semester 2017 through Fall Semester 2017. Very soon, we will begin restoring the beautiful red pine plantation forest on Riley Road on the Interlochen campus. This first step involves thinning the forest of 100+ trees so that new, native tree species can be re-introduced and the forest can evolve. Over the past few months, our students have been exploring the ecological considerations necessary to take this step, and documenting what is necessary for the forest restoration. Having spent more than half our class periods out at the Riley Road forest site, the forest itself has become our second classroom.
Ari, creative writing major: To return the mature pine plantation on Interlochen's campus to a natural, healthy state, the Interlochen community needs to address several ecological issues. These issues are soil quality, biodiversity and the amount of carbon stored in plantation trees.
The soil in the pine plantation is very acidic due to the accumulation of pine needles. Because of the acidity of the soil, fungi and insects have a difficult time living in it, so very few fungi and insects live in the plantation. Due to the lack of these vital decomposers, many of the pine needles in the forest do not decompose quickly. This lack of speedy decomposition means that the soil has less organic matter in it. When the soil is very acidic and lacks organic matter and decomposers, it is harder for other species of plants that are not pines to germinate, which leads to a lack of plant biodiversity in the forest. The lack of plant biodiversity leads to lack of reliable food sources for animals, which leads to a lack of animal biodiversity. Therefore, to create a forest with good animal and plant biodiversity, the Interlochen community must lower the acidity of the soil and increase its organic matter and decomposer biodiversity.
The pine plantation was planted 70 years ago with red pine (Pinus resinosa), white pine (P. strobus) and Scotch (or Scots) pine (P. sylvestris). Because there are only three pine species in the plantation, the tree biodiversity of the plantation is low. However, because the pines are so tightly packed in the plantation, there is no room to plant other tree species. To increase tree biodiversity, IAA will have to create more space within the plantation to plant new trees. Because the pines drop so many needles that cannot readily be decomposed, there is a thick carpet of needles across the entire forest floor. Many undergrowth species have a challenging time germinating through this carpet, causing a lack of undergrowth biodiversity. To thin this carpet and subsequently increase undergrowth biodiversity, create space for new tree species and reduce needles accumulating on the forest floor, the plan is to remove some of the existing pines. Once some of the pines are removed, native species of trees can be planted which will increase tree biodiversity and enhance the soil in the forest floor. The plantation is surrounded on three sides by local native forest. Seeds and saplings will be transplanted and protected from deer browse to speed the forest conversion.
Over time, as the soil becomes less acidic, soil decomposition will return more organic matter. Native tree and undergrowth species will also provide year-round food for animals, which will lead to an increase in animal biodiversity. The documentation of this process of facilitated succession has begun in IAA Ecology classes, with measurements of soil quality, tree abundance and community diversity. As of Fall 2017, 24 bird species, 44 plant genera or species, and eight species of amphibians and reptiles have been documented in or around the ten-acre plot.
Mitchell, music major: As we spend time in class out in the woods, I am introduced to many new scientific and artistic concepts I had never thought of before. One of these is the relationship between art and ecology, specifically the way in which a forest can be a stage for artistic expression. When the plantation is cleared, there will be tree stumps left behind. My colleagues have come up with many artistic and brilliant ideas for how to make these stumps, and the entire forest, more aesthetically pleasing. My idea was more practical than artistic.
Looking around the plantation, I didn't see many animals. That seemed natural, because the unnatural monoculture doesn't exactly make the best home for forest animals. To invite more critters and crawlers to live in the area, I proposed the idea of hollowing out the stumps to make room for the animals to make homes. While the idea is simple by itself, it could be combined with my colleagues' other more creative ideas to make something practical and beautiful.
I am learning about the effects of monoculture on an ecosystem. I now know that an ecosystem thrives on diversity, and a lack thereof stunts its growth dramatically. The plantation, with just one type of tree, feels more like a desert than a forest. The ground, covered with acidic pines needles, can't nurture any other plants. The unified canopies of the trees create a wall that blocks out much of the sun, cutting off the plants’ food supply. Incorporating diversity where there is none already is a complicated process, because many species are aided or harmed by the presence of other species, meaning that the order in which the species move in is important. Our next steps are to figure out how to foster the growth of native species in the timbered areas.
This project was generously supported by Wilsonart and The Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs.
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