Re-Discovering the Arts

Citizens of Illinois are now able to combine their love for the arts with their concern for healthy ecosystems by participating in a new effort established by Michael Jeffords, Susan Post and Carie Nixon of the Illinois Natural History Survey.  The effort, Corps of Discovery, has now been launched in the Illinois and Cache River Watersheds.  Members of the Corps of Discovery attend a series of workshops in photography, descriptive writing, sketching, and drawing and then create observations which document the habitat changes taking place within the watershed as well as its biodiversity. The results are aesthetic perspectives that add to scientific records of habitat alterations. "Historically, scientists, restoration specialists and land managers communicated their research findings through scientific literature, book chapters, textbooks, summary articles, and technical reports.  We have found that journal articles seldom succeed in presenting the total complexity or aesthetic appeal of nature to a wider audience," states Michael Jeffords, co-creator of the Corps.

When provided with the opportunity to participate in the Corps of Discovery, citizens in the Illinois and Cache River system quickly filled open spots in the project.  Jeffords would like to see other watersheds create their own Corps of Discovery.  For more information on how you can become involved in the Corps of Discovery in your watershed please contact Michael Jeffords at Jeffords@uiuc.edu.

Photo Courtesy of : Kelvin Sampson, Dickson Mounds Museum