Science & Outdoors
Matthew Furry, Aaron Sedgwick, Prof. Virginia Freire, Brianna Soroko and Katherine Tesch make up the leadership team of the newly created Society of Ethnobotany.
New student organization formed at UW-SP
Science & Outdoors Reporter
Aaron Sedgwick, a biology and fisheries major, got the idea for a new club after taking Introduction to Plant Biology with Professor Virginia Freire. Sedgwick developed a strong interest in how people interact with plants and the role people have in the ecosystem.
Sedgwick thought he might be the only student that was interested in sustainable living, but he also thought there was a good chance he could find other interested students in a university known for its natural sciences such as ecological restoration, wildlife and fire management, here at the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point.
It was first going to be called the Society of Ethnobotany, but it was decided that Society of Ethnobiology would be more inclusive. Matthew Furry, a student that had an interest in wildlife and plants, agreed to help Sedgwick start the club.
After the two students fleshed out the constitution, Sedgwick remembered that Professor Freire had talked about ethnobotany in her classes. He and Furry approached her about being the faculty advisor for the new club and she agreed.
“I am happy to be the advisor,” Freire said. “These students are very independent and creative.”
Freire was happy the two students were taking the initiative to start the society.
The officers for the society were recruited from friends of Furry’s that he knew would be interested in ethnocultural pursuits. The officers of the club are Katherine Tesch, treasurer and Brianna Soroko, web weaver. The club will be looking to fill the secretary position.
The fledgling student organization started in the middle of the fall semester, but Sedgwick is happy with the member turn-out so far. Last semester, Sedgwick gave presentations on wild edible plants and how to use all the parts of an animal. Another society member gave a presentation on various shelters, such as the teepee. Professor Freire gave a presentation of her botany experiences in Guatemala, her native country.
The club has had a brainstorming meeting already this semester. Plans to bring in speakers such as Sam Thayer, a wild edible plant expert, were discussed. Tentative presentations on topics such as ethnoecology, animal tracking and heirloom variety of vegetables are planned. Workshops on how to make baskets, bows and flint knapping were also discussed. The group is also looking into field trips to Sandhill Wildlife Area for wolf tracking, teaching drum school, and the Menomonie Indian Forest.
Sedgwick says the club is all about learning from each other and sharing knowledge, not one person dictating to the others. Interested ethnobiologists can contact Sedgwick at asedg242@uwsp.edu or attend a meeting held on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in Trainer Natural Resources 359.
