At our first group walk for 2025 fall bird migration, I discovered new signage at the far east end of the Nichols Arboretum Peony Garden in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
A wooden plaque on a post next to an enclosed protective glass box asked visitors to share their reflections and experiences at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum (MBGNA).
The signage said:
Check it out!
We invite you to be part of a new effort in collecting reflections and experiences from visitors and members using MBGNA spaces.
We will use these anonymous responses to help us understand how we all use and experience our natural environments and landscapes.
We invite you to share your reflections as you visit this space. See more information in the bin below.
The adjacent enclosed box held a spiral lined paper journal and pencil where I read several handwritten remembrances from garden visitors.
I hadn’t seen the signage or box before, and I’m not sure if I overlooked it on prior arboretum visits.
Based on research, I found a reference to Lily Johns’ outdoor journal installed next to the Poet’s Bench at the arboretum in 2019.
What an interesting story!
Sadly, the journal was removed, due to a decision by the garden administration.
I’m wondering if the waterproof journal to collect reflections and experiences is a natural extension of that 2019 nature journal?
If anyone in the Ann Arbor area has more background and history about the journals, add your info in the comments.
