Growing up on the shores of Lake Winnebago, I was mesmerized by its vast, sometimes calm, other times turbulent waters, along with the intricate variety of life that thrived there. This lake, Wisconsin's largest inland body of water, spanning thousands of acres, is essential to my identity. Returning home after years away, I am driven to reconnect with my past and honor the ancestral heritage, flora, and fauna that grace its shores. Through my art/photography, I seek to explore and celebrate the lessons learned from Lake Winnebago's rich environmental history. In doing so, I set out on a three-month exploration of the lake's shore through the lens of my camera. The journey comprised over 250 miles of travel and nearly 10,000 images of the lake's shorelines. The results are a body of select photos and a narrative 23-minute film paying tribute to the natural wonder of Lake Winnebago.
Lake Winnebago's environmental history has significantly changed, from early indigenous peoples to European exploration in the 1600s. Some of the earliest descriptions from the 1800s paint a picture of clear, navigable waters. Still, human activities, such as the construction of dams in the mid-1850s and extensive shoreline development, have drastically altered the lake's natural state (Techlow, 2012). As I capture the lake's current beauty and changes, I reflect on the wisdom of Robin Wall Kimmerer (2013) in Braiding Sweetgrass, where she emphasizes the importance of reciprocity and gratitude in our relationship with the natural world.
Kimmerer's (2013) teachings resonate deeply with my artistic vision. She speaks of the gift economy and the need to leave places better than we found them, a lesson mirrored in the nurturing of Lake Winnebago's ecosystems. The lake's history of wetland loss and restoration efforts, the shift from commercial to recreational use, and the ongoing struggle with pollution and algal blooms all highlight the urgent need for a balanced, respectful relationship with nature (Techlow, 2012). My art strives to honor this balance, showcasing both the resilience of the lake's ecosystems and the impact of human actions.
Kimmerer (2013) recounts the story of the "Council of Trees," where elders talk about how trees communicate through a network of roots, often referred to as the "Wood Wide Web." This intricate system reminds us of the interconnectedness of all life forms and the importance of maintaining balance within the ecosystem. Similarly, Lake Winnebago's ecosystem relies on the health of its wetlands, shoreline vegetation, and aquatic life. I wish to focus on these connections through my art, emphasizing several species in maintaining the lake's ecological balance.
Big Tree by Brian Selznick (2019) also dramatically influences my work. The story of seeds carried by the wind, navigating dangers, and finding a place to grow parallels my journey back to Lake Winnebago. The connection of all beings, the importance of listening to the land, and the resilience of life despite challenges guide my artistic expression. Like the seeds in Big Tree, I strive to plant roots again and grow creatively, bridging the past and present through my creative lens.
The narrative of Merwin and Louise, the seeds in Big Tree, navigating through various challenges and finding their place to grow, resonates with my artistic journey. Their story of resilience, adaptation, and the search for a safe place to root is a powerful metaphor for the environmental history of Lake Winnebago. As I document the lake's current state, I am reminded of the seeds' journey and the lessons they learned from the land and its inhabitants.
Beyond the narrative influence of Kimmerer and Selzick, Zuzana Vasko's (2021) work, detailed in "Visiting, Attending, and Receiving: Making Kin with Local Woods," emphasizes building intimacy with nature through embodied experience and creative dialogue. Vasko's (2021) practice of creating and hiding drawings in the forest, only to retrieve them later, mirrors my approach to interacting with Lake Winnebago. Still, I wish to capture what is hidden rather than hiding drawings. This methodology nurtures a deep connection with the land and its stories, resonating with my desire to capture the essence of the lake and its surroundings through art. Through this project, I capture the delicate dance of light on water, the intricate patterns of wetland plants, and the vibrant life that calls Lake Winnebago home. Each image is a tribute to the lake's history, its enduring beauty, and the lessons it imparts. My narrative seeks to inspire a sense of stewardship and gratitude, encouraging viewers to see the sacredness of the world around them.
Wetlands and shoreline vegetation play a crucial role in maintaining the health of Lake Winnebago's ecosystem. These areas provide habitat for fish and wildlife, protect the shoreline from erosion, and filter pollutants from the water. However, human activities such as the construction of dams and extensive shoreline development have led to significant wetland loss and degradation over the past century (Techlow, 2012). The construction of dams in the mid-1850s led to the flooding and loss of wetlands, which disrupted the natural hydrology of the lake and altered its ecological balance. Early attempts to protect wetlands, such as using car bodies and rock riprap, were often poorly conceived and ineffective (Techlow, 2012). Hence, there is a call for modern restoration efforts to preserve and restore wetland habitats to support fish and wildlife.
Kimmerer's (2013) discussion of sustainable harvesting practices and the honorable harvest in Braiding Sweetgrass emphasizes the importance of taking only what is needed and giving thanks for it. This concept is reflected in the efforts painted by the natural life gracing the shore, which was documented in my project to bring attention to and protect Lake Winnebago's essence, essential for maintaining the lake's ecological health and supporting its diverse wildlife. For example, many rooted aquatic plants are documented, including the cattail, which Kimmer (2013) states is vital in preserving water quality and providing habitats for fish and wildlife. These and additional plants help to stabilize sediments, reduce erosion, and filter pollutants from the water. However, the disruption of natural hydrology and the introduction of non-point source pollution have led to the decline of these essential plants in Lake Winnebago (Techlow, 2012).
In Big Tree, Selznick (2019) writes about the importance of rooted plants, stressed through the journey of Merwin and Louise, who learn from the land and its inhabitants about the alliance of all life. The seeds' journey serves as a reminder of nature's resilience and the need to protect and restore these vital ecosystems; my photographs intend to capture the abundance of rooted plants that grace the shoreline of Lake Winnebago.
Shoreline development has significantly altered the natural landscape of Lake Winnebago. Historical archives show a stark contrast between the heavily developed shoreline of today and the more natural, wooded shoreline of the past. As mentioned, this development has led to habitat loss and the degradation of wetland areas, impacting the overall health of the lake's ecosystem (Techlow, 2012). Kimmerer's (2013) emphasis on the importance of place and the need to leave places better than we found them resonates with the challenges faced by Lake Winnebago. This project intends to capture the beauty of the lake's natural areas and the existing beauty with the hope of influencing future choices that affect the impact of development on its ecosystems.
As I reconnect with Lake Winnebago, I continue to be influenced by the teachings of Braiding Sweetgrass and Big Tree. The land's wisdom, the relationship of all life, and the importance of living with gratitude and respect are at the heart of my work. My artistic journey is not just a return home but a celebration of the enduring spirit of Lake Winnebago and the profound lessons it continues to teach. With the help of all creatures telling the lake's story, restoration efforts can become a part of the long-term part of Lake Winnebago's narrative. These efforts must focus on preserving and restoring wetland habitats, reducing nutrient input, and protecting the lake's natural areas from unnecessary development. To accomplish this, we need respectful stewardship of our shoreline and lake with a conscious awareness of living in harmony with the natural world.
The future of Lake Winnebago depends on our collective efforts to protect and restore its ecosystems. Through my photography and film, I seek to raise awareness of the lake's beauty and challenges, inspiring others to take action to preserve this precious resource for future generations. We can create a more sustainable and harmonious relationship with the natural world by honoring the wisdom of the land and water and the lessons from Braiding Sweetgrass and Big Tree. Let's let art lead the way.