On April 13th, a team of twenty-seven stakeholders from Wild Basin’s past and present engaged in a History Mapping Lab at the Wild Basin Interpretive Center. History Mapping is a process grounded in the idea that “the past is a powerful prologue to the future.” The History Lab aimed to 1) launch a Wild Basin History Project, b) Inform our ongoing strategic planning process, and 3) Engage stakeholders in documenting the past and planning for the future of Wild Basin.
Through the process of collaboratively creating a visual timeline of Wild Basin, the group a) documented important moments, successes, and challenges in Wild Basin’s past, and b) identified patterns, values, and operating principles that have emerged across Wild Basin’s lifetime.
Among the Founding patterns and values that emerged from the timeline were, “big vision, unconventional tactics, connection to community, grassroots, persistence, and constant fundraising”.
Some of the key Mid-Life patterns and values that emerged included, “financial challenges, conflicts with preserve management, increased accessibility, embracing diversity, creative programming, and concern for long-term viability”, among others.
Current patterns and values included, “commitment to mission and founder intent, university partnership for mission and muscle, support for scientific research, inconsistent leadership, increased educational partnership, and new opportunities and renewal.”
The group also identified values, principles, and operating principles from Wild Basin’s past that they believe should be carried forward into the future, including:
Value for history & respect for volunteers & important people,
Founder mission
Exemplary/cutting edge/movement leader
Strong relationship with BCP
Care of land for future generations (Preservation 1st)
Intelligent/thoughtful land management
Embrace the unconventional
Appreciation for uniqueness of WB
Build on scientific knowledge
Sense of alignment/partnership with community
Augmentation of education, research, & preserve management
Nurture of children in nature
Welcoming & inviting to all – diversity
The final discussions of the lab focused on identifying key questions to take into Strategic Planning. These questions were:
How can St. Edward’s translate the founder’s intent and passion to fuel the next chapter?
What is the role of the public and volunteers in Wild Basin’s future? Who is the Wild Basin community of the future?
How can the unique aspects of Wild Basin be used to build the future?
What does the idea of Wild Basin as a Nature Think Tank unlock?
How can Wild Basin be a key asset for the future of St. Edward’s?