XXXV Prairie Preview a Success

Bur Oak Land Trust supporters have much to celebrate this year. For one thing, March 1 was Prairie Preview XXXV, and it was another successful one. More than 45 exhibitors shared information on all aspects of care of the land, birds, bees, butterflies, and CSA’s. There were local artists and publishers as well as experts on native species, invasive species, and wild mushrooms. Representatives of Raptology came with a screech owl and kestrel—two small but intriguing birds. Attendees could participate in a silent auction and sign up for door prizes, too. And once again Prairie Preview was held at the Clarion Highlander on North Dodge in Iowa City.

About 300 people visited with the exhibitors, enjoyed refreshments provided by the Four Seasons Garden Club, and mingled with Bur Oak board members and staff. It was a full house for the keynote address by Mark Hirsch, the photographer and author of That Tree.

Having been a professional photographer for years, Hirsch traced his career from the discovery of his love for photography through ups and downs that included being laid off from a job he loved and an accident that had life changing consequences. It was during the healing process that he began the project that became That Tree.

Hirsch spent one year taking a photograph each day of a solitary bur oak located near his home in Platteville, Wisconsin. He took all photographs with an iPhone after a friend encouraged him to experiment with the camera. He photographed the tree in all seasons and at different times of day. In a few of the pictures he shared with the group the tree was shown in the midst of a blizzard, surrounded by newly planted crops, back lit by the fiery looking headlights of his truck, and with a nest of turkey eggs in the foreground.

The photos developed a following as Hirsch posted them on his Facebook page and caught the attention of national news organizations. Ultimately, they ended up as the book That Tree. After the book was released, Hirsch invited his social media followers to a party under the tree which drew, Hirsch reported, 300 people and 12 dogs. One man who couldn’t attend sent his cherished Boston Red Sox baseball cap to be photographed hanging on a branch.

It goes without saying that 35 years of Prairie Preview programs is something to be proud of, but in remarks prior to the keynote, Bur Oak president Carter Johnson announced another milestone—the fortieth birthday of Bur Oak Land Trust. In the spring of 1978, Bur Oak Land Trust (then Johnson County Heritage Trust) was incorporated as a nonprofit organization. In referring to goals for 2018, Executive Director Tammy Wright said, “It’s all about 40 this year.” Among other things, the group hopes to recruit 40 new members, schedule at least 40 volunteers for workdays, and remove 40 contractor bags of garlic mustard.

Carl Jung once said, “Life really does begin at 40. Up until then, you’re just doing research.”

You’re encouraged to read the rundown of the organization’s accomplishments on the website, in the newsletters, and in the event programs. Bur Oak has done its research, and life is really taking off!

To view more Prairie Preview photos, click here: Facebook Prairie Preview XXXV