Daniel P. Bruggeman, Art and Art History Department:

Artist Statement: "The history of the settlement of North America has been the impetus for most of my work the past 20 years. Like most compelling stories, this one is rich in encounters with exotic cultures, mysterious landscapes and disharmony. The transformation of the landscape from wilderness to domesticated environment is the primary legacy of the North American narrative. The displacement of indigenous life in favor of cities, agriculture, mining and logging was considered an essential component to a growing new country, but the consequences have been costly. The loss of native habitat has devastated many species of plants and animals.

The Carleton College Arboretum represents a self-conscious effort to re-introduce some of the remnants of our native landscape. My musings regarding the significance of such a place have led me to this point in my art work. While the “Arb” is a terrific place, I find myself wondering if it represents the rare, endangered species that can only exist in captivity or whether it provides hope for larger tracts of habitat that might encourage a healthier environment."

David has recently exhibited his paintings and dioramas at Groveland Gallery in Minneapolis and Bridgewater, Lustberg, Blumenfeld Gallery in New York. His work can be found in public and private collections including The Minnesota Historical Society.

Mark Mckone, Biology Department:

Mark McKone studies evolutionary ecology, particularly of plant/insect interactions and grasslands ecology, in Minnesota and Iowa tallgrass prairie. Studies at the Arboretum track changes in plant communities during the different stages of prairie succession from agricultural fields.

Susan R. Singer, Biology Department:

Susan Singer works with colleagues from several other academic institutions on the native prairie plant Chamaecrista fasciculata as a model organism to test key questions about the evolution of the pea plant family. In addition to many other sites, the populations of this species in the Arboretum and McKnight Prairie are important collection sites for this species.