December, the Doorway to Winter: Meet the Mighty Oaks: Part 2

Exploring the outdoors during the winter months often provides unpretentious yet spectacular views of our natural world.  The winter months reveal nature’s basic structures as we marvel at the complexities that exist within.

“When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”

Aldo Leopold

Aldo Leopold, captured in black and white on a frozen Wisconsin waterway, exemplifies this reality, as do his words in from A Sand County Almanac which remind us of the imperative ecological work that lies ahead. Aldo Leopold is considered by many to have been the greatest influential conservation thinker of the 20^th Century. Learn more about the Aldo Leopold Archives at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Let's talk about oak leaves and acorns - enduring symbols of fall. O(a)kay, where do they come from? The oak tree, of course! Oaks have served as symbols of great strength, protection, and spiritual wisdom throughout the ages. These mighty trees can grow to be over 100 feet tall (the tallest being ~150 feet!) and live to a great age (the oldest oak lived to 900 years in Switzerland). Most importantly, oak trees provide innumerable resources to wildlife and humans all across the globe. For thousands of years, oak trees have feed mammals, birds, and humans with their prolific crops of seeds - no wonder the acorn is a symbol of abundance and good fortune! Part 1 of this resource focuses on the white oaks - white oak, swamp white oak, and bur oak.

Download the full PDF here.

This resource was made by Joanne Vogel.