Out and about. Not much time to think bloggish thoughts.

The Whitewater Urban Forest Committee seems to be moving forward with my push to have an arboretum in Starin Park. Here are my suggestions for a Mission Statement and a List of Benefits:

The Arboretum at Starin Park
Mission Statement

The Arboretum at Starin Park exists to provide a beautiful, welcoming sanctuary for humans, trees shrubs, and wildlife. It is a place where people of all ages can come to connect to nature, learn about the environment, and study and practice stewardship. The Arboretum at Starin Park is dedicated to helping create a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world.

Benefits
The Arboretum at Starin Park will:

1. Facilitate restoration of the beauty, health, and diversity of the woodland at Starin Park, enhancing its role as a vital natural sanctuary.

2. Provide Whitewater(and the larger surrounding community) with an outdoor classroom and a related curriculum that connects kids to nature and teaches the fundamentals of ecology and stewardship.

3. Provide Whitewater(and the larger surrounding community) with a haven for adult environmental connection, learning and stewardship.

4. Provide ecosystem services—oxygen, shade, pollution reduction, urban cooling, wildlife shelter, etc.

5. Provide nature-related outdoor social and volunteer opportunities for adults.

6. Help, in a small way, with climate mitigation.

7. Serve as a museum of native Wisconsin trees and shrubs.

8. Provide a laboratory for arboreal research (and a potential nursery).

9. Bring visitors to Whitewater to experience a special natural area and to participate in programs and learning opportunities.

10. Bring recognition to Whitewater as the site of an internationally certified Arboretum, thus enhancing the city’s profile as a good place to live.