Connecting People with Nature by KATHRYN VANCE
On June 14 , Dr . Charles Oberst , Chair of the Cato Society , welcomed guests to their final meeting before taking a summer break . They were joined by Dr . Mark Wourms , Executive Director of Bernheim Forest . The local treasure known for hiking , nature and most recently seeing “ the Giants ,” is home to 16,140 acres of land in Bullitt and Nelson Counties and is visited by more than 500,000 people per year .
Dr . Wourms ’ presentation focused on “ a sense of discovery ” and reminded viewers that Bernheim has so much to offer . Every day can be a different experience and you can form your own kind of visit .
There is major focus on connecting all people with nature , but especially children . “ It ’ s the next generations that have to solve the problems that we created , so we want them to understand and appreciate nature .” They offer many programs targeted at children , such as their Canopy Tree Walk , where you walk out onto a boardwalk and at the end , you ’ re 75 feet above the forest floor , surrounded by trees over 125 feet tall .
Art in nature is also used to connect people . As a scientist , Dr . Wourms looks at the world from a scientific perspective – facts , investigations , hypotheses – but artists look at the world differently , with their hearts , souls and minds . Earth Measure is one installation at the Forest in honor of Barry Bingham Jr ., who was on their Board for many years and was a former publisher of the Louisville Courier-Journal and Louisville Times . This piece has parabolic curves cut into that actually talk back to you when you talk to them by focusing sound waves and bouncing it back to you . “ We teach geometry , we teach physics , we use it to talk about nature , stone and the earth . When we have something at Bernheim , we use it to teach all kinds of lessons and appreciate the beauty ,” said Dr . Wourms .
People from all over the state , country and world apply to be artists in residence at Bernheim as has been tradition for the last 43 years . Three to four artists are selected annually by a jury and then come to live at Bernheim , allowing them to experience the beauty and rich nature of the region . In many cases , this is the first time they have been in Kentucky or even the U . S . Gaining popularity since 2019 , the infamous Forest Giants were added by Danish artist Thomas Dambo , who worked with several artisans and 200 volunteers over eight weeks to build three giants , all made out of local , recycled materials .
Dr . Wourms then teased the “ Playcosystem Zones ” map , showing areas of the Forest where children are invited to take part in natural play . “ This allows them to be kids , it allows them to make and break rules . It ’ s undirected play so they use their imaginations and interact socially . They learn risk because they ’ re jumping and climbing and digging and building things ,” he said . “ That is all important in human development and we believe being outdoors in nature is good for everybody in every age .”
Caring for nature can be quite dramatic sometimes , he said . Periodically , they must use prescribed burns to kill off woody trees and shrubs that try to invade the grasses and perennial flowers that come up there because that habitat is crucial to certain wildlife .
They work with various species of wildlife , and in one case , biologists safely captured a Golden Eagle at Bernheim . These are very rare in the Eastern U . S . as a small population comes from Canada in the winter before returning home in the summer . The eagle was fitted with a solar powered transmitter that has allowed them to monitor his day-to-day migration . When he ’ s close enough to a cell tower , it downloads data about where it ’ s been , elevation , speed of flight and more .
He ended the presentation with tips on how we can all make a difference :
• Reduce pesticides , herbicides and fertilizers on your lawn
• Pick up after your dog when walking or at home to reduce fertilizers in waterways
• Repair equipment or cars so you don ’ t have oil leaks
• Never dump chemicals
• Plant native trees , shrubs and flowers in at least part of your yard
• Press local , state and national leaders to enact smart practices to protect the environment and our children
Get out and enjoy nature !
Earth Measure by Louisville sculptor Matt Weir . Photo courtesy of Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest .
Kathryn Vance is the Communication Specialist at the Greater Louisville Medical Society .
22 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE