Wisconsin
Gardens - An Historical Vignette
One hundred
years ago, Wisconsin was an enormous hunting ground for
squirrels, deer, bear, possum, beavers, and foxes. John
Muir's early years in the Wisconsin wilderness, making
friends and pets of the animals, shaped his future as
botanist and nature writer.
His love for nature was deep and unwavering; he later
lamented that people put their "animal fellow mortals
on their backs or in their dinners, instead of in their
hearts."
John Muir and his Scottish family arrived in Fountain
Lake, Wisconsin when John was just ten There wasn't much
spare time to play with his brothers in the wilderness.
His father was a strict religious man, spending much of
his time reading his Bible, while John and his brothers
devoted themselves to chores, clearing the land and building
their farm. Though weary with all the hard labor, John
was determined make time for learning; there were many
nights when he set
his homemade alarm for one o'clock so that he could devote
four hours to studying before the chores began. The hard
work and dedication paid off - John was accepted to the
University of Wisconsin, where he studied botany for three
years.
Muir was influential in establishing a National
Park Service, and the Yosemite, Sequoia, and General Grant
National Parks.
His writings influenced thousands people to appreciate
the beauty of nature and the wonders of the animal kingdom.
Bibliography
and Acknowledgments
Shown: Wood Violet ( Viola
papilionacea )
