To accompany the new exhibition Then & Now: 175 Years on the Pentacrest, the University of Iowa Pentacrest Museums will offer conjunctional educational programming throughout the year to further explore each of the six areas highlighted in the exhibit. This programming will be presented virtually through the museum’s ongoing series Exhibition Spotlight.
The first event in the Exhibition Spotlight series dedicated to Then & Now will explore the Pentacrest and natural spaces through historical and cultural lenses, examining the evolution of campus landscaping, trees and green spaces, ecological diversity, health and wellness, and community/campus connections.
Moderated by the Pentacrest Museums director of education and engagement, Carolina Kaufman, the discussion will feature UI urban forestry supervisor and campus arborist Andrew Dahl, The Outdoor Adventurer’s Guide to Forest Bathing author, physician, and UI alumna Suzanne Hackenmiller, UI Human Resources senior director of UI Wellness Megan Hammes, and ancestral farming manager Luke Kapayou of the Meskwaki Food Sovereignty Initiative.
Guests may register for free to receive a link HERE.
More about our guest speakers:
University of Iowa urban forestry supervisor and campus arborist Andrew Dahl has been the campus arborist at the U of I for the past 22 years. During that time, the University achieved Tree Campus USA designation and most recently became an accredited arboretum through ArbNet. He has received the award of Urban Forestry Professional of the year from both the Iowa Urban Forestry Council and the International Society of Arboriculture, and an Award of Merit from the Midwest Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. Andrew says when he isn’t busy working at the University arboretum, he’s dragging his family to other arboretums. He loves “neat trees” and talking trees to like-minded enthusiasts. He will offer commentary on some of the most notable of the 8,000 trees on campus (check out the cool campus tree map!), many residing on the Pentacrest.
UI Human Resources senior director of UI Wellness Megan Hammes provides leadership for initiatives designed to support the whole-person well-being of 20,000+ faculty and staff at the University of Iowa through both the liveWELL program and Family Services which are units of University Human Resources. Megan has presented nationally and regionally on employee and campus well-being for the National Consortium for Building Healthy Academic Communities, Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO), and the College and University Professional Association (CUPA) Iowa Chapter. She is certified as a Health and Wellness Coach, a Resilience & Thriving facilitator, a Make it Okay Ambassador and is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES). Megan has a background in athletic training with an undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa, and her master's degree is in health promotion management from American University in Washington D.C.
Dr. Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller is a physician (UI College of Medicine, 1996) and author who is board certified in both OB-Gyn and Integrative Medicine. Her personal experience with the healing effects of time outdoors drove her to explore nature as a healing modality for her patients. As a result, she has pursued certifications in herbal medicine, Ayurveda, and is a certified forest therapy guide. She served as medical director of the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy and is currently lead medical advisor for AllTrails. Currently, she splits her time between a gynecology practice in Waterloo, Iowa, and as lead physician with Chopra Whole Health in Carefree, Arizona.
Suzanne is the award-winning author of The Outdoor Adventurer’s Guide to Forest Bathing, published in 2019. She consults with parks and trail systems to add health attributes to their programming and signage, and she speaks internationally about integrative medicine and nature therapy. Suzanne and her husband Joe are avid outdoor enthusiasts and lead workshops combining outdoor adventure and the mindful practice of forest bathing.
Luke Kapayou of the Meskwaki Food Sovereignty shares his knowledge and techniques of traditional Meskwaki farming, gathering, hunting and fishing. He is responsible for four gardens, the Meskwaki Elders Garden, The Meskwaki Youth Garden, The Demonstration Garden, and the Programs garden. Luke also dedicates time to seed rematriation and growing out seeds for community use. He has been a wood carver for over 40 years.
